Orthopaedics [Manual Physical Therapy], DSc.P.T.
Brooke Army Medical Center
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Program Director: LTC Jose Durbin, U.S. Army
Deputy Program Director: MAJ Andrew Golden, U.S. Army
Through an affiliation with Baylor University, students enrolled in the Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, complete additional requirements and may qualify for a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degree. The Graduate School of Baylor University provides academic oversight for the program. The uniqueness of this program necessitates significant differences in policies and procedures. Please refer to the most current Student Handbook published by this graduate program for details.
Objectives
Our mission is to produce postgraduate-level, specialty-trained orthopaedic manual physical therapists who provide state-of-the-art, advanced care and clinically relevant research to benefit the Military Health System. We accomplish this through the advanced training and education of clinical experts, mentors, adult educators, and researchers. Our goal is to continue the U.S. Army’s legacy as a leader in orthopaedic manual physical therapy and neuromusculoskeletal evaluation, and to promote evidenced-base clinical practice and research that benefits patients and the physical therapy profession.
Admission
Candidates for admission to the program must be active-duty physical therapists in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, or U.S. Navy. They must hold an entry level doctoral degree in physical therapy (D.P.T.), or a transitional doctor of physical therapy degree from a program accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They must have a minimum of four years experience in orthopaedic physical therapy practice upon entry into the program and be a board-certified specialist through the APTA in Orthopaedics, Sports, or Electromyography. Applicants must present a grade point average predictive of success, and a current GRE score of 150 points on both verbal and quantitative sections for a minimum total score of 300 for entrance. Candidates must also meet the entrance requirements of the Graduate School of Baylor University. Uniformed services candidates are selected by a competitive board process by their respective uniformed service.
Curriculum
The curriculum was developed as a clinical fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy and is dual accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE). Graduates are conferred a Doctor of Science degree from Baylor University and may apply for fellow status from AAOMPT.
This advanced and highly specialized orthopaedic manual physical therapy fellowship is designed to elevate the clinical skills of experienced physical therapists to the level of clinical expertise in orthopaedic care, with a strong emphasis on manual therapy assessment and intervention. Under the leadership of the program director, the fellowship leverages a broad network of civilian and military resources to deliver state-of-the-art, post-professional education. The academic curriculum extends beyond hands-on clinical application to build a solid foundation in research efficacy and critical appraisal of the literature.
The two-year program is divided into four semesters. Coursework follows a regional approach from the spine to peripheral joints, with pertinent topics—such as anatomy, biomechanics, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology, radiology, and surgical management—aligned to support an integrated learning experience. This structure supports a broadening of knowledge, skills, and affective behaviors that enhance professional competence and improve patient outcomes.
A key component of the fellowship is its robust clinical training, which includes over 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship with real patients. This structure allows fellows-in-training to collaboratively evaluate, treat, and progress patients under the guidance of experienced AAOMPT Fellows. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive examinations and careful observation of treatment outcomes. Interventions range from targeted therapeutic exercises to advanced manual therapy techniques.
Clinical education and most didactic instruction occur within the physical therapy clinic. Fellows-in-training divide their time between clinical care in the morning and academic or research activities during the remaining half of the day. The program is supported by three full-time faculty members and several part-time clinical mentors—all of whom are graduates of orthopaedic fellowships and are AAOMPT Fellows.
Graduates of the program are well-equipped to become leaders in orthopaedic manual physical therapy. They gain expertise in clinical decision-making, providing patient-centered care, conducting individual research, and teaching. Fellows-in-training are expected to design and conduct an IRB-approved clinical research trial during their training. In addition, they are provided with multiple opportunities throughout the program to engage in teaching and mentorship of the Army-Baylor DPT interns at the Medical Center of Exellence (MEDCoE). These instructional experiences may include leading lab sessions, facilitating clinical reasoning discussions, and providing feedback during practical examinations – enhancing both the interns’ learning and the fellows-in-training development as clinical educators.
Requirements for the Manual Physical Therapy Concentration - Orthopaedics (DScPT)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| PHT 5326 | Functional Physical Therapy Anatomy and Biomechanics: Lower Quarter | 3 |
| PHT 5327 | Functional Physical Therapy Anatomy and Biomechanics: Upper Quarter | 3 |
| PHT 5341 | Differential Diagnosis in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PHT 5349 | Radiology for Physical Therapists | 3 |
| PHT 5323 | Pathophysiology of Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
| PHT 5321 | Aspects of Pharmacology and Nutrition in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| Orthopaedic Manual PT | ||
| PHT 5382 | Evaluation and Mobilization: Lower Quarter | 3 |
| PHT 5383 | Evaluation and Mobilization: Upper Quarter | 3 |
| PHT 5392 | Evaluation and Mobilization: Advanced Lower Quarter | 3 |
| PHT 5393 | Evaluation and Mobilization: Advanced Upper Quarter | 3 |
| Research | ||
| PHT 5430 | Research I: Evidence-Based Practice & Intro to Research Methods | 4 |
| PHT 5431 | Research II: Biostatistics I & Field Research I | 4 |
| PHT 5432 | Research III: Biostatistics II & Field Research II | 4 |
| PHT 6433 | Research IV: Field Research III & Research Capstone | 4 |
| Clinical & Applied | ||
| PHT 6191 | Independent Study I | 1 |
| PHT 6192 | Independent Study II | 1 |
| PHT 6193 | Independent Study III | 1 |
| PHT 6194 | Independent Study IV | 1 |
| PHT 6391 | Clinical Fellowship I | 3 |
| PHT 6392 | Clinical Fellowship II | 3 |
| PHT 6393 | Clinical Fellowship III | 3 |
| PHT 6394 | Clinical Fellowship IV | 3 |
| PHT 6101 | Advanced Practicum in Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PHT 6338 | Teaching Strategies in Health Education | 3 |
| PHT 6241 | Leadership in the Military Health System: A Strategic Approach for Allied Health Professionals | 2 |
| Total Hours | 68 | |