The mid-curricular exams are used to assess student learning in a summative format prior to the first and second internships. This exam ensures that students have the didactic knowledge and psychomotor skills to progress to the internship phase of the curriculum while providing a learning assessment to identify gaps in specific knowledge areas. This process is broken down into two multiple-choice, board-style tests and two practical examinations. The first written exam occurs during the first two weeks of the third trimester and the second during the last two weeks of the fourth trimester. The first exam covers science content from Human Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Human Movement Science, and Applied Neuroscience.
The second exam covers clinical topics including Clinical Fundamentals of Physical Therapy Practice, Musculoskeletal I and II, Therapeutic Interventions I and II, Medical Screening, Pain Science, Neurological Physical Therapy I, Pharmacology, and Lifestyle Medicine. Other non-clinical topics are also included in this exam from Evidence-Based Practice, Professional Foundations, and Business Entrepreneurship and Administration.
The DPT program faculty develop questions for the written exam. The time allotment for the written exam is 72 seconds per question simulating the same time per question as the National Physical Therapy Licensing Board Exam. The test is broken into two 50-question sections with a 15-minute break occurring in between.
Upon conclusion of the written exam, students will be provided a breakdown of incorrect content sections and systems to guide future study and remediation efforts. Students must pass both mid-curricular exams with a grade of 70%.
A student failing the first attempt will be provided with an analysis of items missed. They will be placed on academic monitoring and required to meet with their Academic Coach to develop a remediation plan. The Academic Coach will sign off on the remediation plan, and the student will receive a minimum time frame of one week for remediation before attempting to take the test on a second occasion. If the student fails the second attempt, an analysis of missed items will be provided. The student will be placed on academic probation and required to meet with the program director to develop a remediation plan that may include repeating course sections or whole courses. Upon successful completion of those courses, the student will be allowed a third attempt. If the student fails the third attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program.
The mid-curricular practical examinations will involve the student simulating a physical therapy session based on a case study. The practical exams will occur during the latter half of the 3rd and 5th academic semesters. The practical exams will be observed by a licensed physical therapist who will perform debriefing immediately following the experience. The practical exams will be digitally recorded and reviewed by the student to facilitate reflection on the experience. Students will meet with a faculty member within 10 days following exam completion for guided reflection and the development of an action plan to address any performance deficits. The practical exam will be graded as pass/fail based on a rubric. Failure to pass the practical exam will result in the same remediation process as listed previously for the written exam.