Specialty In Orthopedics Certificate For Physical Therapists

Semester 1

Semester Topic: Advanced Orthopedic Interventions

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course and lab component will discuss the basis and practice of Muscle Energy Techniques that are widely recognized for the approach to treating musculoskeletal dysfunction. It will examine and demonstrate the manipulative techniques in which a patient, on request, actively uses his or her muscles from a controlled position in a specific direction against a distinct counterforce applied by the practitioner. The course will also outline the background to soft tissue dysfunction and explain the chain reactions which occur as part of such dysfunctions. Precise assessment and diagnosis guidelines will also be discussed. 

Semester 2

Semester Topic: Manual Therapy Practice and Theory

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course and lab component covers the theory and the practice of clinical reasoning skills for all physical therapists. The content will focus on applying the theoretical knowledge involved in clinical reasoning to practice and to become a better practitioner. The content will also focus on the theories, validation and techniques of manual treatment for both chronic and acute neuromuscular pain and somatic dysfunction. The course will present the most current and significant spinal rehab information, showing how to apply simple and inexpensive rehabilitation in the office. 

Semester 3

Semester Topic: Manual Therapy of Cervical/Thoracic Spine

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course and lab component will discuss the latest research in the field of manual therapy. The content will focus on an evidence-based examination of the work of leading researchers and its application to clinical practice. The content will also include spinal manual therapy techniques of the cervical/thoracic spine beyond the focus of traditional theories and principles. The course will present the most current and significant spinal rehab information, showing how to apply simple and inexpensive rehabilitation in the office. 

Semester 4

Semester Topic: Manual Therapy of Lumbar Spine

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course and lab component will discuss the latest research in the field of manual therapy. The content will focus on an evidence-based examination of the work of leading researchers and its application to clinical practice. The content will also include spinal manual therapy techniques of the lumbar spine beyond the focus of traditional theories and principles. The course will present the most current and significant spinal rehab information, showing how to apply simple and inexpensive rehabilitation in the office.

Semester 5

Semester Topic: Manual Therapy of Elderly Spine

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course and lab component will discuss the latest research in the field of manual therapy. The content will focus on an evidence-based examination of the work of leading researchers and its application to clinical practice. The content will also include spinal manual therapy techniques of the elderly spine beyond the focus of traditional theories and principles. The course will present the most current and significant spinal rehab information, showing how to apply simple and inexpensive rehabilitation in the office. 

Semester 6

Semester Topic: Capstone in Orthopedics

Start Date: Rolling Admissions each Semester

Course Description:  This course will focus on the learner developing a capstone project. The learner will integrate the content that they have covered throughout the curriculum. The course will allow the learner to analyze and apply the information to a specific clinical in-depth issue while adding to the learner’s professional body of knowledge via manuscript or professional meeting presentation.

This program is offered online asynchronously.  A short intensive 2-day on campus lab is required once a semester for select courses that require a lab. 

Faculty members within the university community.

Transcripts

Official transcripts of your Physical Therapy Degree B.S or higher from an accredited college or university showing at least a 2.00 GPA.

Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendations from any member of the academic staff of graduating institution or employer, or current senior colleagues and consultants.

Reading & Writing sample

Provide a writing sample from reading and answering 3 questions from an article that is linked on the application.

* International Students Only: English Language Proficiency Test is required (university offers Berlitz exam which is taken online)

An English language proficiency test is required. The IELTS and TOEFL standard of English Language levels listed below are applicable to all postgraduate courses. The table also lists the equivalents from other test providers.