Physical Therapy Online Competency Courses for International Students | USAHS

Physical therapy courses follow the academic calendar (with start dates each trimester in Spring, Summer, and Fall). Not all courses are offered each trimester. We do not offer clinical internship hours for non-degree-seeking students in the U.S.

If you earned your physical therapy degree and license to practice in a location outside the United States, USAHS offers a comprehensive catalog of courses focused on competencies often required by the FCCPT. These courses are designed specifically to meet the needs of non-degree-seeking students, particularly foreign-trained physical therapists, and are not a pathway into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. However, if you are interested in pursuing your doctoral degree, check here to see if you meet the admissions requirements for our online transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program.

If you have an up-to-date computer and reliable access to the Internet, you should be able to access your courses with no difficulty. A help section and tech support is available to assist you in navigating your online classroom.

There are three start dates for the spring, summer and fall semesters. These courses follow the academic calendar and have a specific start date, you will participate in an online group of students and complete required readings, audio/video clips, weekly quizzes, and instructor-led online discussions. You will be guided through the course content with unit-by-unit modules and will participate in online interactions with students and faculty.

Physical Therapy Online Courses are offered in a virtual learning platform, with no face-to-face classroom requirements, and take one semester to complete.

For licensed Physical Therapists who were licensed after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but are interested in earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy, our online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program may be a great option. Our tDPT program enables foreign-trained PT’s to earn their DPT online from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Course Descriptions

HSC 6031 – Cultural Competence Hours: 1
This course will explore concepts and practices of cultural competency in the current health care environment. Students will self-assess their cultural competence as a health care providers and examine ways to implement strategies learned into their future practice.

HSC 6034 – Metabolic Disorders Hours: 1
This course will review the pathology, etiology, signs, symptoms and treatment of common metabolic disorders. The primary focus will be on the clinical implications of metabolic disorders from a rehabilitation perspective, including complications, modifications, and/or precautions.

HSC 7200 – Information Literacy for Evidence-Based Practice Hours: 1
Information literacy is an important skill for evidence-based practice. It incorporates such skills as recognizing when information is needed, searching for information (including developing a research question and creating a search strategy), incorporating new information into an already established knowledge base, and using information ethically and legally. Multiple studies show that one of the most prominent barriers to evidence-based practice among clinicians is limited search skills combined with difficulty accessing evidence. This course can help students develop the information literacy skills they need to incorporate evidence into their practices. The course will also teach students how to use the University of St. Augustine library’s online resources specifically, and help clinicians identify what information resources are available to them beyond the University of St. Augustine.

PHT 6030 – Consultation, Screening, and Delegation Hours: 1
This course covers the role of the physical therapist in client-related consultation, screening of patients, and direction and supervision of support personnel in physical therapy.

PHT 6032 – Cognition and Perception Hours: 1
In this online course, the student will examine cognitive and perception disturbances and be able to accurately assess, interpret findings, set realistic goals, and plan appropriate interventions for patients/clients with these disturbances.

PHT 6033 – Basic Assessment and Intervention of Integument Hours: 1
In this course students will explore the role of the physical therapist in screening, prevention, and management of selected disorders of the integumentary system.

PHT 6035 – Professionalism: Legal and Ethical Issues in Hours: 2
Physical Therapy This course includes topics related to physical therapy professionalism, ethics, legal issues and jurisprudence, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, fraud, and abuse.

PHT 6037 – Environmental Barriers Hours: 1
In this course students will explore environmental barriers that may impact patients/clients and design interventions and modifications to improve mobility and safety.

PHT 6038 – The Physical Therapist as Educator Hours: 2
This course examines the role of the physical therapist as an educator of patients, caregivers, students, and other health care providers.

Term Courses

COM 7130 Healthcare Communication and Collaboration
In this on-line course, students will develop competency to deal with common communication issues in the healthcare professions, including: cultural differences, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional and clinical documentation, case presentations, social media presence, and successful project management. This course will focus on effective writing, speaking, and conflict management skills. These abilities determine professional credibility and impact patient outcomes.

HSA 7200 – Foundations of Health Care Administration Hours: 3
Students investigate and analyze the changing landscape of the health care environment and the factors affecting the practice of health care administration. Students consider stakeholders in a variety of settings to establish a framework for scholarly investigation of effective strategies for health care administrators in practice. Particular emphasis will include the importance of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and diversity. The course introduces students to techniques applied by successful health care administrators, such as setting goals and managing time, as well as the attitudes and motivation required for success as a health care manager, administrator, and leader.

HSC 7401 – Pharmacology Hours: 3
This online course covers the basics of drug action as it relates to physical and occupational therapy. Drugs used in the treatment of muscle spasms and spasticity, cardiac drugs, centrally acting drugs, psychological medications, and drugs used in the treatment of pain and inflammation are covered. Interactions between therapy and medications are emphasized. Analysis, synthesis, and evaluation will be demonstrated through a final portfolio of evidence-based research and a student’s critique of the current literature and design of a hypothetical study.

IPE 7050 – Evidence-Based Practice for Health Care Professionals Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the evidence-based practice process to prepare the health care professional as a consumer of scientific evidence for decision making. A process for formulating a practice question and conducting literature searches for existing evidence is included, as well as an overview of the research process for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research with emphasis on the critical appraisal of evidence for determination of inclusion in a literature synthesis related to a practice question. The discussion of biostatistics focuses on determining the appropriateness of the statistical analysis and interpretation of the statistical results in the critically appraised research evidence. Finding and critically appraising research summaries, such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-syntheses, and clinical practice guidelines is included. Effectively implementing, evaluating, and disseminating an evidence-based change process is discussed.

Request Information