DPT Clinical Education

DPT faculty member sitting during lab and talking with students

Clinical practice is a critical component of DPT education. It serves as a transformative phase for DPT students, as it provides them with immersive experiences in various physical therapy practice settings. In addition, the clinical education curriculum supports the our goals to develop future Doctors of Physical Therapy who demonstrate:

  • Thoughtful, reflective practice and professional behaviors to positively impact the human experience
  • A commitment to critical inquiry and excellence in both academic and clinical preparation consistent with the professional scope of physical therapy practice
  • A continued spirit of discovery through evidence-based practice and professional development

Integrated Curriculum

Didactic courses taken concurrently during clinical education experiences promote critical inquiry and excellence in patient management through direct application of the concepts during professional interactions in the clinic and with peers during case-based discussions and learning activities. The integration of courses during each clinical education experience also enables students to stay in contact with each other and with the faculty, which provides additional opportunities for support and mentoring.

Interprofessional Education

Integrated clinical education courses allow our students to build and refine their interprofessional and collaborative practice competencies.

Career-Focused

Students gain sufficient and comprehensive exposure to patients of all ages and across different physical therapy practice environments so that they are better prepared to meet the diverse needs of their future patients and confidently navigate the various settings in which they may practice as Doctors of Physical Therapy.

Quality Preferred Partnerships

All physical therapy education programs, including their clinical partners, are accountable for meeting quality standards. The individual and collective efforts of academic programs and clinical partners strive to ensure excellence in education.

Experienced Clinical Faculty

Clinical faculty are an integral part of our clinical education experiences for students. So, we invest in those faculty by offering them access to various resources and the opportunity to structure your hands-on clinical experiences to complement your online curriculum. Many of your clinical faculty are specialists in their field, have completed residency or fellowship training, and are chosen for their expertise and eagerness to work with students.

Students

Check out timelines and requirements

Clinical Instructors

Resources forĀ clinical faculty interested in clinical teaching for Tufts DPT students.