Lecture Notes: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UNLV

Presenter

• Dr. Kins
• Role: Administrative Clinical Coordinator, Chair of the Admissions Committee

Program Overview

• Clinical Rotations: 4 rotations in community settings (hospitals, clinics) alongside licensed physical therapists.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree: Required in any field (common in kinesiology).
• GPA Requirements: Minimum 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 prerequisite GPA.
• GRE Examination: Required, scores submitted via PT Cass.
• Observation Hours: 100 hours with a licensed physical therapist in at least two different settings.
• Application: Through PT Cass and the UNLV Graduate College application.
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 required (2 from licensed physical therapists, 1 from faculty/employer).
• Prerequisite Coursework (11 classes):
  • 1 year of Biology
  • 1 year of Anatomy and Physiology with labs
  • 1 year of Chemistry with labs
  • 1 year of Physics with labs
  • 1 year of Psychology
  • 1 semester of Statistics

Application Cycle

• Start Date: July 1st
• Deadline: November 1st
• Interviews: Last two Fridays of January
• Accepted Students: 48 per class
• Program Start: First week of June

Program Curriculum

• First Year: Summer Anatomy (cadaver dissection), foundational classes (exercise physiology, therapeutic exercise, pathophysiology).
• Second Year: Rehabilitation courses (Orthopedic, Neurologic, Pediatric, Geriatric, Cardiopulmonary).
• Third Year: Long-term clinical rotations (acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, outpatient specialty).

Clinical Experience

• First Clinical Rotation: Six weeks in orthopedic outpatient clinic (second summer).
• Long-term Clinicals: Three in total, 10.5 to 12 weeks each, in acute care, inpatient rehab/skilled nursing, outpatient specialty.

Research and Service Learning

• Research Labs: Biomechanics, Gait and Balance, Neuroplasticity.
• Research Projects: Conducted with faculty, culminating in a professional presentation.
• Service Learning: Partnered with agencies to improve healthcare access in Las Vegas.

Career Preparation

• Undergraduate Preparation: Excelling in prerequisite courses, joining pre-PT Honor Society (Lambda Kappa Delta), familiarizing with PT Cass.
• PT Profession Resources: APTA.org for PT career information, BLS.org for healthcare career statistics.

Career Opportunities

• Settings: Orthopedic clinics, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing, rehab facilities, schools.
• Specialized Practice Areas: Women's health, vestibular therapy, cardiopulmonary therapy, pediatrics, etc.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UNLV, including admission requirements, curriculum details, clinical rotations, research opportunities, and career preparation strategies.