Clinical Education

Binghamton鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy program includes a robust education program that supports students in realizing their goals, prepares them to become entry-level clinicians and adheres to Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards.

The two main components of the DPT clinical education program are: 

Integrated Clinical Experiences (ICE)

  • ICE are part-time experiences that prepare students for their full-time clinical experiences. 
  • Opportunities allow students to develop essential skills of a physical therapist, such as professionalism, empathy and communication, while gaining an understanding of the challenges their future patients may face.
  • Students interact with individuals who may represent future patients, their families or professionals providing the service.

Integrated clinical experiences are components of two courses taken in the student鈥檚 first academic year:

Course

When taken

DPT 614: Introduction to Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation/ICE I

Year 1, fall 

DPT 625: Special Populations II, Clinical Management of the Older Adult/ICE II

Year 1, spring 

Full-time Clinical Education Experiences

  • Students will participate in a minimum of 30 weeks of clinical education experiences designed to give them opportunities to apply didactic material. They will be under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist in various settings.
  • The didactic curriculum prepares students for specific clinical education experiences.
  • Students must participate in one acute care type experience (inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health or acute inpatient rehab) and one outpatient experience. 

Full-time clinical education experiences are components of three courses taken in the student鈥檚 second and third academic years:

Course/credits When taken Duration Eligibility

DPT 692: Clinical Education I
(4 credits)

Year 2, summer 

10-week, full-time experience

participation is based on academic standing

DPT 694: Clinical Education II
(4 credits)

Year 3, summer 

10-week, full-time experience

participation is based on academic standing and successful completion of DPT 692

DPT 696: Clinical Education III
(6 credits)

Year 3, spring 

12-week, full-time experience

participation is based on academic standing and successful completion of DPT 694

Efforts are made to help students achieve their personal goals based on site and clinical instructor availability. Clinical education offerings will evolve as the Division of Physical Therapy identifies and collaborates with new clinical sites to enhance offerings to our students.