Clinical Education

Translating Knowledge to Real-World Patient Care

Clinical education is a vital component of a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program as it provides students with hands-on experience and feedback crucial to developing skills.

 At Tarleton State University, students will begin with an Interprofessional Education Experience during their first year focused on professional behaviors, collaboration, and communication. During their second year, students will undergo clinical simulation labs and part-time integrated clinical experiences to align with their didactic knowledge and skills. The curriculum intentionally embeds experiential learning opportunities throughout the program, ensuring that hands-on experiences seamlessly integrate with classroom instruction to enhance clinical competency. Each student will complete three terminal clinical experiences in the fall and spring terms. The experiences will consist of two 8-week rotations and one 15-week rotation. These will include one medically complex setting, one rural setting, and one elective setting ensuring a well-rounded and immersive clinical experience across various healthcare settings.

IPE: Interprofessional Education Experience

• This course takes place in the fall semester of the first year to promote collaboration between professionals particularly in rural healthcare settings. 

ICE: Integrated Clinical Experience

• This course takes place in the fall semester of the second year with a variety of opportunities for part-time clinical education experiences. Students engage in supervised experiences to hone essential skills.

Clinical Experiences I, II, III

• The first two clinical experiences will be split time in the fall semester of the third year. Each experience will be 8 weeks. The third clinical experience will be completed in the spring semester of the third year with a 15-week rotation. These clinical experiences are to prepare students for entry-level physical therapy practice upon graduation. 
• Students will have input on desired settings of practice and locations of each clinical experience. They will ultimately be assigned by clinical faculty based on availability and the needs of the student.  
• Clinical placements are offered throughout Texas and the United States.  

Clinical Partners

Our clinical partners are essential in developing the next generation of physical therapists and the growth of our profession. With their assistance students advance their skills to evaluate and manage a variety of patients encompassing the lifespan and can grow to be innovative and adaptable physical therapists. 
Benefits to being a clinical partner may include CEU opportunities, workshops or training, and access to the library.  

Interested in Becoming a Clinical Partner?

If your site is interested in learning more about our clinical education program or offering a Clinical Experience for Tarleton DPT students, please email Alaina Newman at anewman1@tarleton.edu.

Clinical Education Team