School of Physical Therapy

 Certificate Requirements

Completion of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework on topics in geriatric physical therapy. The certificate can be completed entirely through internet courses or through a combination of internet and onsite courses at the Dallas Campus. Courses with onsite opportunities are offered on weekends and may include an occasional Friday or Monday. The maximum days onsite will not exceed 6 days in any given semester. Any combination of 12 graduate credit hours in geriatric physical therapy may be used for this certificate. Courses are postprofessional and designed for physical therapists. Although non-physical therapists (e.g., occupational therapists) may enroll, only physical therapists are eligible to earn the certificate. Courses can be taken individually without commitment to a certificate or to a degree.
 

The Certificate of Completion in Geriatric Physical Therapy will help prepare practicing physical therapists to sit for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties’ Geriatric examination. Completion of this program will increase the therapist’s knowledge of biopsychosocial aspects of care for the older adult, and current examination, evaluation, and interventions use in physical therapy for older adults across the health care delivery system.
 

You can initiate enrollment in any semester.  In your initial enrollment in a TWU course, you must submit an application with appropriate fee (United States citizens and Permanent Residents can complete online application via Texas Common Application; International students - complete Graduate Application for International Students).  You will need to submit transcripts indicating your baccalaureate degree and degree in physical therapy.  Please allow 3-4 weeks to process your initial application.  After your application is processed, you can register and pay by phone using an advisor code provided for you.  For subsequent enrollment, you can register up to 14 days prior to the beginning of the class.  Courses can be taken in any order and need not be taken consecutively.  Enrollment in only an internet class can be accomplished by calling Lynda Murphy at (940) 898-3405 or by email at LMurphy@twu.edu.

Internet courses:  Approximately $471 per 2-hour course for both in-state and out-of-state residents
On-site courses:  Approximately $426 (in-state resident) - $1071 (out-of-state resident) per 3-hour course

PC with Pentium processor, Windows 95 or 98, 500 MB hard drive, 32 MB RAM, 28.8.BPS with modem, sound card and speakers, Internet access, Netscape 4.X (or higher) or MS Explorer 4.5 (or higher).  If using a MAC, it must have a power PC processor and be running System 7.5.

TWU also offers postprofessional degrees with a concentration in women's health:  MS (37 cr. hrs.); PhD (60 cr. hrs. min. beyond a master's).  Certificate courses may apply toward a degree.

Principles of Geriatric Physical Therapy I: Psychosocial Aspects of Aging
(Internet only course, 3 credit hours)
Advances in living standards and healthcare are filling our communities with citizens past the age of 65. Coupled with the population explosion associated with the Baby Boomer generation, this trend will accelerate over the next 30 years. These potential clients want to stay well. And, if they do not stay well, the clinician will encounter this age group in acute hospitals, rehabilitation centers, out patient settings, and home environments. The successful physical therapist understands how to develop a program that is in balance with the person’s physical needs and emotional well being for optimal health. This course will focus on the psychosocial aspects of adult development with emphasis on the older adult.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu  

Principles of Geriatric Physical Therapy II: Biological Aging
(Internet only course, 3 credit hours)
Examination of general biological and cellular aging theories and general age-related changes in various body systems. Focus on common chronic problems associated with aging that may impact physical therapy treatment. Topics include a critical examination of anti-aging research and the medical and physical therapy management of selected problems of older adults.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu 

Health Care Delivery Systems
(Internet and one day TBA at the state legislature, 3 credit hours)
Overview of health delivery systems in the US and Texas. Emphasis on government and private sector involvement in health services to the aged with applications for the physical therapist. Includes a trip to Austin to become involved in the legislative process! Arrangements can be made for other state legislatures per individual student needs.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS, and Sue Schafer, PT, PhD. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu  

Topics in Evidence-Based Practice
(Internet only course, 3 credit hours)
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a powerful tool that can guide clinical decision-making and enable clinicians to provide higher levels of patient care. This course is designed to assist students in learning to search for and appraise evidence for tests and measures and interventions using in physical therapy with an emphasis on those pertinent to geriatric practice, and to make clinical decisions based on the evidence. Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu

Aspects of Pharmacology and Nutrition in Physical Therapy
(Combination onsite and internet course, 3 credit hours)
Role and relationship of nutrition and drug therapy in the treatment of specific populations treated by physical therapists; medical indications and potential effects of drugs on physical therapy treatments; nutritional principles related to exercise. Sessions taught by experts in physical therapy, pharmacology, and nutrition.
Instructor: Kathleen A. Luedtke-Hoffman, PT, MBA, PhD. Email: kluedtke@mail.twu.edu

Orthopedic Evaluation and Treatment of the Geriatric Client
(Combination onsite and internet course, 3 credit hours)
Study of orthopedic assessment and treatment applied to the geriatric client. Includes minimal background information on aging theories and age-related changes but focus is on examination, evaluation, PT differential diagnosis, and rehabilitation of orthopedic problems common to older adults. Onsite days are one Saturday and Sunday in April used for lab activities and presentations.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS, and Elaine Jackson, PT, PhD. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu 

Neuromuscular Integration
(Combination onsite and internet course, 3 credit hours)
Update knowledge/skills in neuromuscular physical therapy regardless of the type of patients you treat. A problem-based, holistic approach integrates basic & clinical sciences in the examination, differential diagnosis, & treatment of patients with problems involving patients with problems in the nervous system. Course includes cadaver anatomy, pathophysiology, basic ECG interpretation, and clinical management. Onsite days are 3 Saturdays spread throughout the semester used for orientation, lab activities, and presentations.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS, and Ann Medley, PT, MS. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu 

Cardiopulmonary Integration
(Problem-based onsite course, three 2-day weekends, 3 credit hours)
Update knowledge/skills in cardiopulmonary physical therapy regardless of the type of patients you treat. A problem-based, holistic approach integrates basic & clinical sciences in the examination, differential diagnosis, & treatment of patients with problems involving the cardiovascular & pulmonary systems. Course includes cadaver anatomy, applied exercise physiology, pathophysiology, basic ECG interpretation, exercise testing & prescription, & clinical management.
Instructor: Suh-Jen Lin, PhD, and Larry Petterborg, PhD. Email: SLin@ttwu.edu 

Women's Health: Midlife and Beyond
(Internet only course, 3 credit hours)
Exploration of the role of physical therapists in meeting the health care needs of the in midlife and beyond in a computer-based online format. Topics include menopause, hormone replacement therapy, caregiver stress, incontinence, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and heart disease.
Instructor: Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS. Email: Mthompson@twu.edu 

 

For more information and/or an application, please contact:
Kam Mukherjee
School of Physical Therapy
Texas Woman's University
P.O. Box 425766
Denton, Texas 76204-5766
Phone: (214) 706-2310
Email:  KMukherjee@twu.edu