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Doctor of Physical Therapy

Courses & Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

To earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Washington, you must complete 165–167 credits, including 34 credits from clinical internships and an 11-credit capstone project. While all courses are required and there are no electives, students can earn additional independent study credits for special research or clinical activities.

Course Sequence

Below is the program plan for students in the current cohort. Credit values are listed in parentheses after each course title.

For course descriptions, see the course catalog. 

Year One

Autumn Quarter
  • REHAB 504: Procedures I: Basic Physical Examination of the Extremities (2)
  • REHAB 509: Rehabilitation Procedures: Functional Skills Assessment – Part A (1)
  • REHAB 517: Physical Therapy Seminar I (2)
  • REHAB 521: Survey of Pathophysiology for Rehabilitation I* (3)
  • REHAB 522: Physiological Topics in Rehabilitation Medicine (2)
  • REHAB 544: Functional Anatomy for Rehabilitation of the Extremities (5)
  • ​REHAB 567: Practicum in Rehabilitation (1)
Winter Quarter
  • REHAB 506: Procedures II: Physical Examination of the Spine (2)
  • REHAB 517: Physical Therapy Seminar II (2)
  • REHAB 521: Survey of Pathophysiology for Rehabilitation II (3)
  • REHAB 533: Diseases & Diagnosis in Rehabilitation I* (2)
  • REHAB 545: Functional Anatomy for Rehabilitation of the Spine (4)
  • REHAB 551: Neurobiology for Rehabilitation (5)​
Spring Quarter
  • REHAB 508: Principles of Therapeutic Exercise (5)
  • REHAB 509: Rehabilitation Procedures: Functional Skills Assessment – Part B (1​)
  • REHAB 517: Physical Therapy Seminar III (2)
  • REHAB 525: Exercise Physiology for Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHAB 533: Diseases & Diagnosis in Rehabilitation II* (2)
  • REHAB 536: Patient Evaluation & Clinical Decision-Making* (1)
  • REHAB 548: Kinesiology for Rehabilitation (4)
  • REHAB 554: Perspectives in Interprofessional Practice* (1)​​
Summer Quarter
  • REHAB 500: Clinical Clerkship in Physical Therapy* (4) 
  • REHAB 507: Physical Therapy Procedures III: Modalities (4)
  • REHAB 517: Physical Therapy Seminar IV (2)
  • REHAB 537: Functional Mobility Skills (2)
  • REHAB 540: Acute Care Practice in Physical Therapy I (3)

Year Two

Autumn Quarter
  • REHAB 505: Introduction to Pharmacology (2)
  • REHAB 510: Rehabilitation Psychology (2)
  • REHAB 511: Musculoskeletal IV: Clinical Management (4)
  • REHAB 523: Neuroscience III: Applied Neurology (4)
  • REHAB 531: Critical Thinking Skills in Physical Therapy (2)
  • ​REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (2)
Winter Quarter
  • REHAB 502: Pediatric Physical Therapy I (4)
  • REHAB 512: Musculoskeletal V: Clinical Management (4)
  • REHAB 527: Neuroscience IV: Special Topics in Neurologic Rehabilitation (3)
  • REHAB 529: Professional and Practice Issues in Physical Therapy (2)
  • REHAB 538: Integumentary, Edema Management & Circulatory Screening for PT (2)
  • ​REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (2)​
Spring Quarter
  • REHAB 502: Pediatric Physical Therapy II (4)
  • REHAB 503: Lifespan III: Geriatric Physical Therapy* (3)
  • REHAB 512: Musculoskeletal VI: Clinical Management (4)​
  • REHAB 518: Diversity, Inclusion and Health Disparities (2)
  • REHAB 540: Acute Care Practice in Physical Therapy II (3)
  • REHAB 569: Prosthetics and Orthotics for Physical Therapists* (2)​​​
  • ​REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (2)​

Summer Quarter

  • REHAB 514: Systems Review for Physical Therapists* (3)
  • REHAB 515: Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Interventions in Physical Therapy* (3)
  • REHAB 535: Physical Therapy Administration Issues (2)
  • REHAB 566: Electives (Topic TBD)* (1–4) 
  • REHAB 567: Practicum in Rehabilitation* (1)
  • REHAB 801: Case Study Capstone* (2)
  • REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (2)​ 

Year Three

Autumn Quarter
  • REHAB 595: Clinical Internship* (10)
  • REHAB 801: Case Study Capstone* (4)
  • REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (2)
Winter Quarter
  • REHAB 595: Clinical Internship* (10)
  • REHAB 801: Case Study Capstone* (4)
  • REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (1)
Spring Quarter
  • REHAB 595: Clinical Internship* (10)
  • REHAB 801: Case Study Capstone* (2)
  • REHAB 801: Research Capstone* (1)

*Taken as credit/no credit

REHAB 801A or B: Students will choose a case study or research track.