Expectations for DPT Students

The following expectations were developed as a collaborative activity by the students in the Class of 1998 and faculty of the Department and reviewed by the MSPT Classes of 1999-2002 to help you anticipate the demands of this physical therapy curriculum.

1.  Personal interaction skills you should have:

            a. general

1) be patient with each other, the faculty and yourself

2) recognize the diversity within the class and the faculty

3) develop support systems outside of school

b. with faculty

1) communicate with faculty and classmates

2) use faculty as resources

3) agree to disagree on some topics/approaches

c. with classmates

1) communicate with faculty and classmates

2) be patient with each other

3) don't compare yourself to or compete with classmates

4) facilitate learning by working with each other

5) agree to disagree

2. Ability to be a self-directed, independent learner.

a. Establishing your priorities

1) stay focused on the demands of the Program

2) know deadlines to complete assignments, projects, thesis

3) make exercise/good nutrition an important aspect of your health

4) commit yourself to successful completion of the Program

5) know and plan for the financial obligation of the Program

6) embrace all learning opportunities presented

7) don't get movie channel in cable package

8) be prepared to spend a lot of additional out-of-class time at Texas State, (including Saturday)

b. Problem-solving ability

1) re-assess/re-arrange learning habits from undergrad experience

2) be prepared to take more active role in learning

3) retain information learned; Program is cumulative/comprehensive

c. Initiative for learning

1) be motivated and a "self-starter"

2) learn from each other

3) be prepared to work independently

4) participate in group activities to enhance learning

(study groups and research partners)

d. Time management skills

1) study for quality not quantity

2) make time to maintain your health

3) commit to study as the priority

4) recognize the time in and outside of class needed to complete

assignments, do readings, research topics of interest

3. Review of pre-requisite course topics (especially if not taken recently):

a. Mastery of medical terminology:

1) correct meaning

2) correct spelling

3) abbreviations

b. Application of concepts of statistical analysis:

1) parametric versus nonparametric procedures

2) types of analysis

c. Mastery of the following anatomical concepts:

1) skeletal system: nomenclature and location

2) muscular system: nomenclature and location

3) nervous system: nomenclature and location

4) cardiovascular system: nomenclature and location

5) pulmonary system: nomenclature and location

d. Understanding of the following anatomical concepts:

1) muscular system: attachments and function

2) cardiovascular system: function

3) pulmonary system: function

4) endocrine system: nomenclature and function

e. Mastery of application of the principles of physics for:

1) heat

2) electricity

3) lever systems

4) force systems

4. Attitude and mental health

a. expect to be overwhelmed

b. maintain a sense of humor

c. prepare for high financial obligation, there is little time for an outside job

d. recognize everything is not concrete, absolute

e. recognize that becoming a "life long learner" is one of your main objectives