Department Of Physical Therapy Introduces New Curricular Plan Of Study

In fall 2022, the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota introduced its new curricular plan of study, which includes revisions to neuro and pediatric threads, the addition of a rural health course, and expanded courses specific to service learning and advanced practice.

Students in the physical therapy program will now enroll in at least one advanced practice elective, with options for courses changing from year to year based upon cohort interest levels. One option available to students is to fulfill a credit of service-learning and a credit of advanced practice by participating in a one-week “Clinic and Culture” fieldwork experience.

These fieldwork experiences are organized within the physical therapy program and may include either domestic or international outreach. This year, options for students in the Class of 2025 include clinic outreach in Guatemala, wheelchair distributions in Mexico, or a rural and reservation health screening outreach tour of South Dakota that includes Native American programming through a partnership with the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies.

The aim of this programming is to immerse students in a new culture and to provide implicit learning opportunities that promote cultural respect, to enhance interpersonal and communication skills, and to build teamwork, problem-solving and analytical skills.