The Doctor of Physical Therapy program offers a combination of didactic and clinical experiences designed to prepare graduates to perform evidence-based practice in the contemporary health care environment. The program consists of three years of full-time study, including summer sessions.
Professional coursework during the first year provides many foundational courses and introduces students to critical inquiry to prepare them for the first clinical education experience. The second year coursework emphasizes assessment and intervention utilized within any rehabilitation setting. Second year courses include Orthopedic, Neurological, Cardiopulmonary, and Pediatric Physical Therapy. The third year expects students to be active, independent learners. Course work is designed to develop skills in critical inquiry and management, and to master skills in therapeutic exercise. Case studies courses are incorporated in the curriculum to bridge or link course material to the clinical practice of physical therapy.
Students end the fall semester of their second year with Clinical Education I, an 8-week, full-time experience. Clinical Education II, a full-time, 9-week experience is scheduled after the completion of Year 2, during the summer months. The third year ends with two clinical experiences designed as final integrative experiences. Clinical Education III and IV are both full-time experiences, the first 8-weeks in duration and the final experience, 10-weeks in duration. During clinical experiences, students are expected to achieve learning objectives, create learning experiences and participate in self-assessment practices. Clinical Education IV incorporates a project that could include (but is not limited to) an administrative project, establishment of outcome databases, the development of a continuing education or in-service program, development of a clinical evidence-based library in relevant practice areas or a case study project.
The physical therapy curriculum at Stony Brook undergoes a formal review process annually based on input from students, faculty and our clinical instructors. Modifications in course sequencing, content and descriptions often result from this ongoing assessment process and are reflected in the incoming class curriculum once approved by the Curriculum Committee within School of Health Professions.
Class of 2026 and 2027
Physical Therapy Curriculum: First Year
For course descriptions, see Health Science Center Bulletin.
| Summer | Credits |
| HAY 515 — Foundations of Kinesiology | 1.0 |
| HBA 540 — Human Anatomy for Physical Therapists | 5.0 |
| HAY 560 — Professional Practice I: Foundations | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 7.5 |
| Fall | Credits |
| HAY 500 — Neuroscience for Physical Therapy | 4.0 |
| HAY 517 — Exercise Physiology | 1.0 |
| HAY 518 — Foundations of Exercise and Movement in PT | 3.5 |
| HAY 519 — Kinesiology | 4.5 |
| HAY 526 — Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology I | 4.5 |
| HAY 544 — Biophysical Agents in Physical Therapy | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 20.5 |
| Spring | Credits |
| HAY 512 — Prosthetics and Orthotics in PT | 3.0 |
| HAY 552 — Research Methods for PTs | 3.0 |
| HAY 534 — Motor Learning and Motor Control | 3.0 |
| HAY 527 — Foundations of Patient Care | 4.0 |
| HAY 528 — Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology II | 5.0 |
| HAY 543 — Integumentary & Vascular Physical Therapy | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 20.0 |
Physical Therapy Curriculum: Second Year
| Summer | Credits |
| HAY 507 — Orthopedic Physical Therapy 1 | 2.0 |
| HAY 501 — Growth and Development Across the Lifespan | 3.0 |
| HAY 504 — Neurological Physical Therapy I | 2.0 |
| HAY 589 — Case Studies I | 0.5 |
| Total Credits | 7.5 |
| Fall | Credits |
| HAY 505 — Neurological Physical Therapy II | 2.0 |
| HAY 620 — Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy I | 2.0 |
| HAY 513 — Orthopedic Physical Therapy II | 2.0 |
| HAY 561 — Professional Practice II: Clinical Education | 1.5 |
| HAY 595 — Clinical Education I (full-time during last 8 weeks of the semester) | 8.0 |
| Total Credits | 15.5 |
| Spring | Credits |
| HAY 502 — Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 2.0 |
| HAY 506 — Neurological Physical Therapy III | 4.5 |
| HAY 508 — Orthopedic Physical Therapy III | 4.0 |
| HAY 509 — Pediatric Physical Therapy | 4.5 |
| HAY 557 — Introduction to Evidence Based Practice | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 16.5 |
Physical Therapy Curriculum: Third Year
| Summer | Credits |
| HAY 692 — Clinical Education II | 9.0 |
| Total Credits | 9.0 |
| Fall | Credits |
| HAY 524 — Health, Wellness, and Prevention in PT | 2.0 |
| HAY 525 — Advanced Therapeutic Exercise | 3.0 |
| HAY 558 — Evidence Based Practice Seminar | 2.0 |
| HAY 621 — Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy II | 2.0 |
| HAY 545 — Ethics and Health Care for Physical Therapists | 2.0 |
| HAY 602 — Issues in Health Care Administration | 2.0 |
| HBA 542 — Advanced Human Anatomy for Physical Therapists | 0.0 |
| HAY 590 —Case Studies II | 1.0 |
| Total Credits | 14.0 |
| Spring (Modules 4-8) | Credits |
| HAY 693 — Clinical Education III | 8.0 |
| HAY 694 — Clinical Education IV | 10.0 |
| Total Credits | 18.0 |
Total Credits for Graduating Class of 2026 and 2027 |
|
Classroom Credits |
93.5 |
Clinical Credits |
35 (35 weeks) |
Total |
128.5 |
