Non-Degree Physical Therapy Online Courses for International Students

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 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 physical therapy program 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 licensed 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 health science 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.

For Physical Therapists

Our non-degree courses are available to physical therapists who need to earn credit for licensure or to practice in the U.S. If you are not yet a practicing physical therapist, please visit our entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy page for more information.

Visa Status

As long as you are doing coursework online or in independent directed study, it has no impact on your visa nor do you need a visa to enroll if you live abroad.

USAHS cannot issue I-20s to non-degree-seeking students or t-DPT students.

Application Process

When to Apply: You may apply at any time. We offer “rolling admission” for non-degree-seeking students.

Transfer Credits: The number of courses and credits you need to complete will be based on your credential evaluation. If you need to take a significant number of credits, you may want to consider applying for the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) program.

Tuition is $620 per credit, which is subject to change.

Tuition for physical therapy online courses must be paid in full at the time of registration. The university accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, check, cashier’s check, and money orders (U.S. funds only).

Students are responsible for any additional expenses including travel and study materials.

USAHS is obliged to inform foreign-trained therapists that completion of credits or a degree program will not guarantee you licensure to practice physical or occupational therapy in the United States. Each state sets minimum entry-level requirements based on the standards set by a U.S. accrediting body. These states will look at your entry-level education, and any post-professional education completed. No matter how many credits or degrees you have earned as a graduate student, if you do not meet the state’s entry-level requirements, you will not obtain licensure from that state.