Emory University offers a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program that includes a course focused on the stresses of aging and dying on the body. The class incorporates a clinical experience in elder care to provide students experience in problem-solving and treating physical ailments that are unique to older populations. The University of Utah has a course that covers maintaining and restoring function and independence through physical therapy for elderly patients. Students learn how to use family and community resources to help elderly patients become more self-sufficient even as they age.
Boston University offers students an opportunity to understand, evaluate and integrate the current best practices for pediatric physical therapy. As a part of the physical therapy curriculum, students can take a course focusing on how typical and atypical development will affect pediatric patients’ movement. At Drexel University, doctoral students learn about pediatric disabilities and how they affect a child’s physical activity. In addition, students can enhance their skills by receiving an advanced certificate in pediatric physical therapy that covers rehabilitation, intervention and school-based therapy for pediatric patients.
The University of Kansas offers students a course that covers the theory behind including physical therapy in managing cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. Students also use case studies and research to improve their problem-solving skills in physical therapy with cardiac patients. Students at New York University can take a course focusing on the clinical sciences of cardiac, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, disorders and conditions. The course is designed to teach imaging and surgical management techniques in physical therapy, enabling students to better serve their clients.
Students in the University of Southern California physical therapy program are introduced to structures in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system that affect motor and sensory functions. Students also focus on how the central nervous system can alter physical performance through excessive and involuntary movement disorders. Bradley University covers topics related to managing through physical therapy dysfunctions and disabilities caused by neurological issues. The university also focuses on evaluating neurological problems and providing strategies in physical therapy to combat these problems in patients.