Physical Therapy (ScD)

The TTUHSC Sc.D. degree is one of the most unique and thorough post-professional orthopedic physical therapy education programs in the country. It offers you a deliberate combination of foundational concepts with new paradigms to enhance patient care. Consider, unguided educational and clinical experiences can actually limit the ability of patients to receive exceptional care. 

Our interventions are at times inadvertently biased by previous educational and clinical experiences. These biases can be left unchecked as we are too busy or lack purposeful effort to refine skills and knowledge. The Sc.D. program will provide you with the opportunity to acknowledge and refine these past experiences. Advanced levels of information, skill, and critical thinking traits only come from a rigorous, formalized study and time that is not available in an entry level program or post-graduate continuing education. If clinicians make better decisions, patients will have improved physical, emotional, and financial health.

The Sc.D. in Physical Therapy program is no longer accepting applications for admission. Individuals interested in pursuing a Sc.D. are encouraged to explore our Sc.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences program.

Program Information

Format

Hybrid

School

School of Health Professions

Program Type

Doctoral

Credential Type

Doctor of Science (Sc.D.)
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Program Overview

The Sc.D. Program in Physical Therapy at TTUHSC is tailored to practicing physical therapists who want to continue their post-professional education:

  • Admission is open to clinicians holding a bachelor's or master's degree in physical therapy, or a doctor of physical therapy degree.
  • The program provides an advanced clinical curriculum that includes concepts from biomechanical, tissue specific, and motor control models that relate to every physical therapy setting and patient population.
  • The hybrid curriculum is presented in a weekend course format with web-based course enhancement.
  • The program allows clinicians to develop relationships and share ideas in the areas of clinical practice, research, and
    teaching.
  • You are encouraged to continue with your clinical employment while enrolled. Your professional work setting is the ideal setting for applying what you learn in the program.
  • As an Sc.D. student you have the option of clinical research or clinical teaching for your clinical dissertation project.
  • The curriculum serves as a potential option for continuing education units.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) does not offer accreditation for post-professional programs in physical therapy, such as the Sc.D. in Physical Therapy.

The TTUHSC Sc.D. program in Physical Therapy develops professional leaders, mentors, educators, and clinical researchers.

  • Since its inception in 2001, over 45% of our program graduates have gained full-time faculty positions in entry-level physical therapy education programs.
  • Over 30% have developed into post-professional educators outside the formal academic setting. These individuals continue to work in clinical settings while serving as educators to other clinicians through workshops or continuing education courses.
  • Several program graduates are serving in an academic leadership capacity and many have transitioned into clinical director or clinical owner positions.

For TTUHSC School of Health Professions to offer online courses in a state other than Texas, TTUHSC must first comply with that state's requirements. These requirements differ from state to state, with requirements being more rigorous and expensive in some states than others. TTUHSC SHP is currently working to gain authorization to offer online courses in all states. Please check your state’s individual requirements before enrolling in any online courses.

For more information, please reach out to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu. 

  • 4 years estimated time to completion
  • 10 estimated class size

Curriculum & Coursework

During the course of study, Sc.D. students will attend courses on long weekends. During these courses they will participate in both lecture and laboratory experiences. Courses will be enhanced with web-based curriculum components that include reading assignments, interactive sessions, Website links, and case studies. Students in the Sc.D. Program will complete a clinical dissertation focused on clinical teaching or research.

Program Contact for DPT ScD

For more specific questions, please contact:
Brad Allen, ScD, Program Director 

View the available courses below.

  • Extremity Topic
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6321 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Shoulder Complex

    3 hours
    HPPT 6324 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Hip Complex

    3 hours
    HPPT 6325 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Knee Complex

    3 hours
    HPPT 6326 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Ankle & Foot

    3 hours
    HPPT 6336 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Elbow/Forearm, Wrist, and Thumb Complex

    3 hours
  • Spine Topics
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6333 Advanced Musculoskeletal Management for the Cervical Spine

    3 hours
    HPPT 6334 Advanced Musculoskeletal Mgmt. for the Thoracic Spine, Ribs, & Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

    3 hours
    HPPT 6329 Advanced Musculoskeletal Mgmt. for the for Lumbosacral Disorders

    3 hours
  • Advanced Soft Tissue Management Topics
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6340 Advanced Soft Tissue Management: Fascial Diagnosis and Treatment

    3 hours
    HPPT 6341 Advanced Soft Tissue Management: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

    3 hours
    HPPT 6342 Advanced Soft Tissue Management: Topics in Dry Needling

    3 hours
  • Functional Evaluation and Management Topics
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6360 Functional Evaluation and Management of the Upper Quarter

    3 hours
    HPPT 6361 Functional Evaluation and Management of the Lower Quarter

    3 hours
    HPPT 6362 Functional Evaluation and Management of Persistent Pain

    3 hours
    HPPT 6363 Advanced Therapeutic Exercise

    3 hours
  • Core Courses
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6304 Medical Screening for Rehabilitation Sciences

    3 hours
    HPPT 6317 Diagnostic Imaging

    3 hours
    HPPT 6314 Motor Control in Orthopedics

    3 hours
    HPPT 6110 Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (Required for Bachelor’s)

    1 hour
  • Elective Courses
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 6303 Basic & Applied Science in Orthopedics

    3 hours
    HPPT 6305 Updates in Orthopedics Surgical Management

    3 hours
    HPPT 6310 Performance Enhancement and Resiliency

    3 hours
    HPPT 6311 Clinical Studies in Anatomy (a lab course)

    3 hours
    HPPT 6312 Neuroscience of Pain

    3 hours
    HPPT 6313 Biomechanics in Orthopedics

    3 hours
    HPPT 6319 Seminar in Contemporary Topics for Autonomous Practice

    3 hours
  • Research Track Courses
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 7201 Introduction to Statistical Analysis

    2 hours
    HPPT 7306 Advanced Statistics in Health Professions

    3 hours
    HPPT 7301 Seminar in Clinical Research Design

    3 hours
  • Teaching Track Courses
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 7201 Introduction to Statistical Analysis

    2 hours
    HPPT 7304 Educational Evaluation in Health Professions

    3 hours
    HPPT 7305 Curriculum Design & Teaching in Health Professions

    3 hours
  • Clinical Dissertation Courses
    Course Designation

    Credit Hours
    HPPT 7000 Clinical Dissertation Project

    3 hours
    HPPT 7104 Clinical Dissertation Project Presentation

    1 hour

Cost & Aid

Access information about tuition and fees, along with scholarships and financial aid resources, to help you plan and finance your education at TTUHSC.

Tuition & Fees 

The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.

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Scholarships & Financial Aid

Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.

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Student Outcome Data

The TTUHSC Sc.D. program in Physical Therapy develops professional leaders, mentors, educators, and clinical researchers.

  • Since its inception in 2001, over 45% of our program graduates have gained full-time faculty positions in entry-level physical therapy education programs.
  • Over 30% have developed into post-professional educators outside the formal academic setting. These individuals continue to work in clinical settings while serving as educators to other clinicians through workshops or continuing education courses.
  • Several program graduates are serving in an academic leadership capacity and many have transitioned into clinical director or clinical owner positions.

For TTUHSC School of Health Professions to offer online courses in a state other than Texas, TTUHSC must first comply with that state's requirements. These requirements differ from state to state, with requirements being more rigorous and expensive in some states than others. TTUHSC SHP is currently working to gain authorization to offer online courses in all states. Please check your state’s individual requirements before enrolling in any online courses.

Additional Resources

  • The Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degree is a career gateway into professional leadership, mentoring, teaching and research opportunities. The Sc.D. program’s broad clinical emphasis encourages physical therapists from every setting to acknowledge and refine past experiences and concepts that lead to innovation and improved patient care. These reflections will also prepare you to transition into mentoring roles to colleagues as well as leadership roles in professional, clinical and academic settings. 

    The Sc.D. is a degree with practical career impact:

    • The program provides the toolsets necessary for clinical and academic teaching and collaborative research that advance the physical therapy profession.
    • The advanced critical knowledge and critical reasoning gained in the program allow practitioners to thrive in the rapidly evolving practice setting with competency and expertise.
    • The program opens options for post-professional residency and fellowship director opportunities.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

School of Health Professions - Office of Admissions and Student Affairs

  • Address

    3601 4th Street
Lubbock
    Lubbock, TX 79430
    United States