DPT Clinical Education

Clinical education at Augustana University exposes students to varied physical therapy practice settings and a range of patient populations across the lifespan. These full-time experiences may occur in clinics across the country and immerse students into clinical settings as they learn to excel as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

What makes our clinical education program different?

Curriculum Design — Unlike other traditional programs, students complete all foundational patient management coursework before the first clinical education experience, Physical Therapy Practice I. This didactic preparation allows students to enter their first clinical experience prepared to treat patients with musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary dysfunction in various practice settings.
Integrated Curriculum — Students will complete their first clinical experience after one year of didactic training to give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned.
Clinical Facilities — Augustana University currently affiliates with more than 600 facilities across the nation. The nature of our hybrid learning platform may allow students to live at home during some of their education. When possible, it will help students access clinical education sites within their community or state, allowing the student to maintain a professional connection to their community. Students may be required to relocate as necessary to ensure that the student meets the programmatic clinical education requirements to be an entry level clinician.
Clinical Faculty — Clinical faculty are an integral part of our clinical experiences for students. Many clinical faculty are specialists in their field, have completed a residency or fellowship training and are chosen for their expertise and eagerness to work with students.

Students complete 32 weeks of full-time clinical education as part of the DPT curriculum. Clinical education experiences allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to clinical situations under the direct supervision and guidance of experienced physical therapist clinicians. In clinical learning environments, students develop safe and practical skills in all aspects of patient care, while also developing the ability to work as part of a health care team.

DPT 7913: Physical Therapy Practice I

Physical Therapy Practice I is an 8-week clinical experience scheduled for the 4th academic semester. Students spend a minimum of 40 hours per week in direct patient care.
This “beginner” level clinical experience uses basic and applied science, critical inquiry and systems coursework learned during the program’s first year.
Students will practice and develop interpersonal communication skills, professional socialization and critical thinking skills.
The clinical offerings for student placement include opportunities for internship in various practice settings, arranged by the DCE with input from the faculty advisor.

DPT 7923: Physical Therapy Practice II

Physical Therapy Practice II is an 8-week clinical experience scheduled for the 5th academic semester. Students spend a minimum of 40 hours per week in direct patient care.
This “intermediate” level clinical experience enables students to consistently demonstrate professional behaviors and continue to advance their patient management skills.
Students will practice and develop interpersonal communication skills, professional socialization and critical thinking skills.
The clinical offerings for student placement include opportunities for internship in various practice settings, arranged by the DCE with input from the faculty advisor.

The clinical experience provides exposure to a variety of patient presentations and diagnoses to develop strong entry-level skills. Students will advance to entry-level patient management skills and establish evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills as adult learners and medical professionals. Depth of knowledge and skill is the specific goal of this internship, thereby preparing the student for licensure and clinical practice.

DPT 7933: Physical Therapy Practice III

Physical Therapy Practice III is a 16-week, terminal clinical experience. Students spend a minimum of 40 hours per week in direct patient care.
This “advanced” level clinical experience is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply all curricular content learned throughout the program by participating in the continuum of physical therapy care, while consistently demonstrating the knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning expected for entry-level practice.
Students will practice and develop interpersonal communication skills, professional socialization and critical thinking skills.
The clinical offerings for student placement include opportunities for internship in various practice settings, arranged by the DCE with input from the faculty advisor.

The clinical education curriculum provides exposure to a variety of patient presentations and diagnoses to develop strong entry-level skills. Students will advance to entry-level patient management skills and establish evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills as adult learners and medical professionals. Depth of knowledge and skill is the specific goal of this internship, thereby preparing the student for licensure and clinical practice.