Clinical Education
The clinical education includes both part-time integrated clinical experiences (ICEs) and full-time clinical experiences. The program is progressive in the type and range of clinical responsibilities expected of each student and corresponds to complexity of the didactic portion of the curriculum. In keeping with the Division’s commitment to the needs of West Virginia and rural communities, each student must complete one full-time clinical experience in a rural community. Participation in any clinical experience is contingent upon successful completion of the current and previous didactic clinical work.
The Division of Physical Therapy maintains partnerships with sites and health systems across the state and surrounding region, as well as with national therapy companies, to provide students with the breadth and depth of clinical experience needed to enter practice as a physical therapist.
PT 720: Clinical Education 1 – Spring semester, first year
Experiential learning through an integration of classroom and patient/client opportunities. This first course in a series of two integrated clinical education courses will focus on documentation, communication, development of basic examination and treatment techniques, the roles of the physical therapist, and introduction to the members of the interprofessional team.
PT 740: Clinical Education 2 – Fall semester, second year
Experiential learning through an integration of classroom and patient/client opportunities. This second course in a series of two integrated clinical education courses will focus on advancement of documentation, communication, examination/screening, and interventional techniques as well as the role of the physical therapist as part of the interprofessional team.
PT 760: Clinical Education 3 – Summer term, third year
The first of three full-time clinical education experiences. Students practice for 10 weeks under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. The focus of this experience is to develop proficiency with basic patient examination, evaluation, and treatment skills.
PT 770: Clinical Education 4 – Fall semester, third year
The second of three full-time clinical education experiences. Students practice for 10 weeks under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Students build their efficiency, independence, and ability to address more complex patient needs.
PT 780: Clinical Education 5 – Spring semester, third year
Students practice full-time for sixteen weeks under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. At the conclusion of this experience, students must be capable of safe, efficient, and independent clinical practice.