Department of Physical Therapy Introduces New Curricular Plan of Study
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.
You May Also Like
Occupational and Physical Therapy Departments Serve Guatemala
The University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences’ Departments of Physical and Occupational Therapy organized a March trip to Guatemala, where they participated in therapy clinics and immersed themselves in cultural experiences.
White Coat and Hood Investiture Ceremonies Signal Life Transitions for USD Physical Therapy Students
The white coat professionalism ceremony is a significant event for doctoral programs, as for the University of South Dakota Department of Physical Therapy, it marks students’ transitions from the classroom to the first clinical education rotation.
Student Learning Clinic: A Win-Win Situation for Students and Community Members
A move to the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in 2016 gave the University of South Dakota Department of Physical Therapy access to a 2,300 square foot, fully equipped clinic space, including two private examination rooms, a pediatric space equipped with sensory equipment and a treatment room with a mounted Dynavision vision and reaction trainer.
