The curriculum is conducted in the sequence below totaling 129 credit hours. Download as a PDF.
Please visit https://registrar.duke.edu/university-bulletins/school-medicine for more detailed curriculum information within the School of Medicine Bulletin.
Session 1: 17 weeks total (1 STEPs®) | FALL
PT Professional I | 2
STEPs® I | 1
Structure and Function of the Human Body | 10
Movement Science | 4
Introduction to the Patient Examination | 5
Total Credits | 22
Session 2: 12 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | SPRING
PT Professional Practice II | 2
STEPs® II | 2
Healthcare Systems | 2
Foundational Integumentary Practice | 1
Exercise Prescription in the Continuum of Care | 2
Foundational Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Practice | 4
Pain Science | 2
Total Credits | 15
Session 3: 18 weeks total (1 STEPs®/1 break) | SUMMER
PT Professional Practice III | 2
STEPs® III | 1
Physical Therapy for the Older Adult | 2
Evidence Based Practice | 2
Adaptive Technology | 1
Foundational Musculoskeletal Practice | 12
Foundational Neurologic Practice | 8
Total Credits | 28
Session 4: 17 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | FALL/SPRING
PT Professional Practice IV | 2
STEPs® IV | 2
Foundational Pediatric Practice | 4
Management of the Complex Patient | 2
Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 4 classes offered | 0-4*
Patient Management (CAMP) 1 class offered| 0-1*
Total Credits | 10 (min) - 15 (max)
Session 5: 13 weeks total | SPRING
PT Professional Practice V | 2
Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 8 classes offered | 0-8*
Patient Management (CAMP) 2 classes offered | 0-2*
Total Credits | 6-12
Session 6: 9 weeks total | SUMMER
PT Professional Practice VI | 2
Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 4 classes offered | 0-4*
Patient Management (CAMP) 1 class offered| 0-1*
Total Credits | 2 – 7*
*Students are required to take 12 APCs and 2 CAMPs over Sessions 4-6
Session 7: 24 weeks total | FALL
Terminal Clinical Experience I | 12
Terminal Clinical Experience II | 12
Total Credits | 24
Session 8: 12 weeks total | SPRING
Terminal Clinical Experience III | 12
Total Credits | 12
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The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Duke University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 919-681-4380 or email dptadmis@duke.edu.