Doctor of Physical Therapy Clinical Education

The Methodist University DPT program feels that clinical education is a critical element of the professional education of physical therapists. The design of our clinical education gives each student a broad base of clinical exposure and the opportunity to acquire entry-level skills through two part-time and three full-time clinical rotations for a total of 38 weeks.

The experiences allow the student to develop communication and interpersonal skills needed to function as a professional, educator, and healthcare team member. We recognize cultural and individual differences and encourage students to develop their clinical “style” within the accepted professional, ethical, and legal clinical practice parameters.

Clinical Education Experiences

The part-time Clinical Education Experiences focus on facilitating the application and integration of didactic information from the classroom into clinical practice through clinical problem-solving and psychomotor skills application and development of appropriate affective behaviors. Clinical experiences are not meant to foster independent performance but to help bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinic. Starting in the second year, students will complete one-day-per-week clinical experiences in the fall and spring semesters.

Clinical Education Practicums

The Clinical Education Practicums are full-time clinical rotations designed to foster the application and integration of didactic information from the classroom into clinical practice by expanding clinical reasoning, refining psychomotor skills, and integrating appropriate affective behaviors. With the direct supervision of licensed Clinical Instructors, students incorporate new concepts and skills specific to the clinical education practicum into their knowledge and clinical performance. The first full-time, 10-week practicum occurs in the summer term of the second year. In the fall and spring term of the third year, students complete two 12-week full-time clinical practicums.

Clinical Education Partnerships

If you want to take students for part-time or full-time clinical rotations, please get in touch with the Director of Clinical Education, Dr. Rebecca Helms, at 910.480.8593 or [email protected]. 

Policy

Note: The University no longer requires the COVID-19 vaccine for enrollment.

The Methodist University DPT Program requires successful completion of all clinical education courses to meet professional program requirements for graduation. MU DPT professional curriculum requires two part-time and three full-time clinical education rotations. The program utilizes medical centers, private practices, and federal facilities for rotations, which are known to require proof of full and up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19. Any DPT student not vaccinated may be required to submit an exemption request for each clinical facility they are placed in that requires the COVID-19 vaccination. Matriculating students must acknowledge that the university’s COVID-19 policy is separate from clinical facilities and does not guarantee the facility’s exemption will be granted. MU DPT shall not provide accommodations for the student if the clinical site exemption is denied and the student cannot complete the clinical education rotation, which may result in delayed graduation or failure to complete the program. Clinical education placements remain at the sole discretion of the affiliated clinical education facilities and the MU Department of Physical Therapy. Students sign a COVID-19 Informed Consent Form (updated annually) while enrolled in the program.