Design Your DPT Future:
Physical Therapy Elective Series & Micro-Credentials
USAHS DPT program offers electives that let you customize your education and build specialized skills. Through in-demand focus areas, you can earn stackable DPT micro-credentials and digital badges that highlight your clinical and leadership readiness. These courses help bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice—so you graduate prepared to stand out in today’s healthcare landscape.
DPT Digital Credentials
Through five in-demand elective areas, students can align their coursework with career goals while earning stackable DPT micro-credentials and/or micro-certificates that can be showcased on LinkedIn, resumes and professional portfolios These courses can also help develop knowledge and skills for the future pursuit of post-professional certification tracks and residency options.
Choose From These Elective Areas
Specialize or Diversify Your Expertise
As you grow as a future physical therapist, choose a path that moves you toward your goals. Whether you want to pursue a specialized focus or an expanded skill set, we have options for you.
Specialize
Specialize and Earn a DPT Micro-Certificate
If you are drawn to a specific area of practice, complete all three courses within a designated series. You’ll receive a micro-credential for each course, plus a micro-certificate when you finish the entire series.
Diversify
Diversify and Earn DPT Micro-Credentials
If you’d rather broaden your range of capabilities, build your skills across diverse areas of practice. For each course you complete, you’ll receive a micro-credential, demonstrating to future employers the strengths you bring across clinical areas.
Which courses are you interested in?
Deepen your clinical precision through advanced, evidence-based manual therapy knowledge and techniques recognized across professional certification and residency pathways.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
OMPT Foundations
An Eclectic Approach to the Principles and Practice of Manual Therapy
Introduces major Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) approaches, including history, theory, assessment, and techniques. Students compare methods through virtual activities and case studies, apply evidence-based concepts to musculoskeletal care, and build clinical reasoning through videos and case presentations.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Upper Quarter OMPT
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy for the Upper Quarter
Introduces joint and soft tissue manual therapy for upper-quarter conditions. Students learn assessment and treatment for the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and develop handling, positioning, and safe technique selection for common clinical presentations.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Lower Quarter OMPT
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy for the Lower Quarter
Introduces manual therapy joint and soft tissue techniques for lower quarter conditions. Students learn assessment and treatment for the lumbar spine, SI joint, hip, knee, ankle, and foot, and develop skills in safe technique selection and application.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Gain the business and private practice expertise, financial fluency, and strategic mindset to launch or lead a successful healthcare enterprise.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Business Foundations for PT
Business Leadership and Health Systems Management for Physical Therapy
Explores leadership principles in physical therapy and healthcare systems. Learners assess leadership styles, develop advocacy and change management skills, and examine policy trends. Emphasis on financial and strategic planning, ethical decision-making, and fostering organizational culture.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Business Operations for PT
Physical Therapy Practice Operations and Compliance
This course focuses on the operational, financial, and regulatory foundations required to establish and manage a successful outpatient physical therapy practice.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Entrepreneurship & Innovation in PT
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Health Care
Students learn principles of entrepreneurship, opportunity analysis, market research, design thinking, and business modeling. Emphasis on creating value through innovation while maintaining professional standards and patient-centered care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Business Leadership DPT
Integrate biomechanics, performance optimization, and advanced recovery science to elevate outcomes for athletes and active patients.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Foundations of Sports PT
Foundations of Sports Physical Therapy
Provides an evidence-based framework for return-to-sport decision-making. Students learn standardized testing for upper/lower extremities, spine, and concussion, using data-driven criteria. Emphasizes evidence appraisal, functional measures, and physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Emergency Response in Sports PT
Emergency Management in Sports
Introduces students to emergency response principles and acute injury management required for athletic and clinical environments. It mirrors the ABPTS-defined Acute Management of Injury and Illness (AMII) standards and prepares students to pursue external certification through approved organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, HSI).
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Sports Performance Optimization in PT
Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Optimization
Integrates National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) framework with rehabilitation science. Students examine exercise physiology, performance testing, and program design to enhance function in athletic and clinical settings. Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven program development.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Sports Physical Therapy
Build specialized and advanced expertise in neuroplasticity, gait recovery, and functional performance for individuals with neurological conditions.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurological PT: STroke & TBI
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Cerebrovascular Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Focuses on applying neuroplasticity principles in stroke and TBI rehabilitation. Emphasizes neurological pathophysiology, patient education, and evidence-based interventions. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized care while exploring emerging research and treatment strategies.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurologic PT: SCI & PD
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinsons Disease
Focuses on applying neuroplastic and compensatory principles in spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s rehabilitation. Emphasizes pathophysiology, treatment, equipment prescription, and evidence-based care. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized plans of care.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurologic PT: Complex Diagnoses
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Complex Neurologic Diagnoses
Focuses on applying neuroplasticity in complex neurologic conditions, including functional neurologic disorder and vestibular impairments. Emphasizes pathophysiology, patient education, and evidence-based care. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized plans of care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Neurologic Physical Therapy
Address one of physical therapy’s fastest-growing specialties with advanced, gender-inclusive approaches to pelvic function and wellness.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Foundations for PT
Foundations of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Introduces foundational pelvic health concepts for physical therapy. Students explore pelvic floor anatomy, breathing and core relationships, scope of practice, trauma-informed care, and inclusive communication. Emphasizes consent, ethical considerations, and referral red flags.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Assessment for PT
Clinical Assessment in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Builds skills for pelvic health screening and external assessment within PT scope. Students learn bladder and bowel interviewing, sexual health history, pregnancy and postpartum considerations, musculoskeletal assessment, and differential diagnosis. Emphasizes red flags and referrals.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Interventions for PT
Therapeutic Approach in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Focuses on evidence-informed pelvic health interventions. Students apply therapeutic exercise, breathing retraining, pelvic floor coordination, bladder and bowel strategies, and pain-modulating movement. Emphasizes individualized plans, patient education, and inclusive care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Pelvic Health Physical Thereapy
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
OMPT Foundations
An Eclectic Approach to the Principles and Practice of Manual Therapy
Introduces major Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) approaches, including history, theory, assessment, and techniques. Students compare methods through virtual activities and case studies, apply evidence-based concepts to musculoskeletal care, and build clinical reasoning through videos and case presentations.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Upper Quarter OMPT
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy for the Upper Quarter
Introduces joint and soft tissue manual therapy for upper-quarter conditions. Students learn assessment and treatment for the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, and develop handling, positioning, and safe technique selection for common clinical presentations.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Lower Quarter OMPT
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy for the Lower Quarter
Introduces manual therapy joint and soft tissue techniques for lower quarter conditions. Students learn assessment and treatment for the lumbar spine, SI joint, hip, knee, ankle, and foot, and develop skills in safe technique selection and application.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Business Foundations for PT
Business Leadership and Health Systems Management for Physical Therapy
Explores leadership principles in physical therapy and healthcare systems. Learners assess leadership styles, develop advocacy and change management skills, and examine policy trends. Emphasis on financial and strategic planning, ethical decision-making, and fostering organizational culture.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Business Operations for PT
Physical Therapy Practice Operations and Compliance
This course focuses on the operational, financial, and regulatory foundations required to establish and manage a successful outpatient physical therapy practice.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Entrepreneurship & Innovation in PT
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Health Care
Students learn principles of entrepreneurship, opportunity analysis, market research, design thinking, and business modeling. Emphasis on creating value through innovation while maintaining professional standards and patient-centered care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Business Leadership DPT
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Foundations of Sports PT
Foundations of Sports Physical Therapy
Provides an evidence-based framework for return-to-sport decision-making. Students learn standardized testing for upper/lower extremities, spine, and concussion, using data-driven criteria. Emphasizes evidence appraisal, functional measures, and physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Emergency Response in Sports PT
Emergency Management in Sports
Introduces students to emergency response principles and acute injury management required for athletic and clinical environments. It mirrors the ABPTS-defined Acute Management of Injury and Illness (AMII) standards and prepares students to pursue external certification through approved organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, HSI).
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Sports Performance Optimization in PT
Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Optimization
Integrates National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) framework with rehabilitation science. Students examine exercise physiology, performance testing, and program design to enhance function in athletic and clinical settings. Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven program development.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Sports Physical Therapy
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurological PT: STroke & TBI
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Cerebrovascular Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Focuses on applying neuroplasticity principles in stroke and TBI rehabilitation. Emphasizes neurological pathophysiology, patient education, and evidence-based interventions. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized care while exploring emerging research and treatment strategies.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurologic PT: SCI & PD
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinsons Disease
Focuses on applying neuroplastic and compensatory principles in spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s rehabilitation. Emphasizes pathophysiology, treatment, equipment prescription, and evidence-based care. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized plans of care.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Neurologic PT: Complex Diagnoses
Advanced Neurorehabilitation: Complex Neurologic Diagnoses
Focuses on applying neuroplasticity in complex neurologic conditions, including functional neurologic disorder and vestibular impairments. Emphasizes pathophysiology, patient education, and evidence-based care. Students develop skills in examination, prognosis, and individualized plans of care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Neurologic Physical Therapy
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Foundations for PT
Foundations of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Introduces foundational pelvic health concepts for physical therapy. Students explore pelvic floor anatomy, breathing and core relationships, scope of practice, trauma-informed care, and inclusive communication. Emphasizes consent, ethical considerations, and referral red flags.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Assessment for PT
Clinical Assessment in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Builds skills for pelvic health screening and external assessment within PT scope. Students learn bladder and bowel interviewing, sexual health history, pregnancy and postpartum considerations, musculoskeletal assessment, and differential diagnosis. Emphasizes red flags and referrals.
MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Pelvic Health Interventions for PT
Therapeutic Approach in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Focuses on evidence-informed pelvic health interventions. Students apply therapeutic exercise, breathing retraining, pelvic floor coordination, bladder and bowel strategies, and pain-modulating movement. Emphasizes individualized plans, patient education, and inclusive care.
Complete all three courses in this series and receive a micro-certificate for completing the full series.
Micro-Certificate:
Pelvic Health Physical Thereapy
DPT Electives FAQ
How many electives do I need to complete?
You must complete three 1-credit elective courses as part of the DPT program.
When do I take my electives?
This depends on your pathway:
- Residential & Hybrid Immersion Pathways:
- 1 elective in Term 6
- 2 electives in Term 7
- Flex Pathway:
- 1 elective in Term 8 (Subterm E)
- 2 electives in Term 9 (Subterm E)
Do electives have prerequisites?
You can take most electives in any order. You don’t need to complete earlier courses in a series unless a prerequisite is specifically noted.
What are elective options?
Elective are grouped course series focused on a specialty area. You can:
- Complete all three courses in one pathway to earn a micro-credential for each elective and a micro-certificate for the series
- Mix courses across elective areas and earn a micro-credential for each elective for a customized experience
Will I earn any credentials from electives?
Yes. For each elective completed, you’ll earn a micro-credential.
If you complete all three courses within a single pathway, you’ll earn a micro-certificate.
What are digital badges and how do I receive them?
After completing an elective, you’ll receive a digital badge via Credly. These badges are:
- Verifiable and shareable
- Great for LinkedIn, resumes, and portfolios
- Designed to showcase your specialized skills
You’ll receive an email with instructions to claim your badge.
How do I register for electives?
You will self-enroll through my.usa.edu during your assigned registration window.
What if I miss the enrollment window?
If you miss registration due to a hold or other issue, you should:
- Meet with your Program Director (PD)
- Submit an add form to request enrollment
Who can help me choose electives?
Your Faculty Advisor will:
- Help align electives with your career goals
- Ensure you meet graduation requirements
- Guide you if you want to complete a full pathway
What if I have technical issues registering?
If you experience issues with registration in the system, contact your Program Assistant for help.
Are there limits on elective availability?
Some electives may have limited sections or capacity, so it’s important to register early during your enrollment window.
Let's Connect
We're here to support you on your journey.
Please complete our contact form. An enrollment advisor will reach out to provide information and answer your questions.