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Program Description

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a five-year, ten-semester professional degree program in the discipline of physical therapy, recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan as equivalent to 17 years of education. The program is designed to prepare highly skilled physical therapy professionals with the academic knowledge and clinical expertise necessary to evaluate, diagnose, and manage movement-related disorders arising from injury, disease, or disability.

The curriculum is structured to provide a strong foundation in basic medical sciences—including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, biomechanics, pathology, pharmacology, and radiology as well as essential behavioral sciences such as clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. Advanced clinical training is provided in areas such as medical screening, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation techniques, and practice management.

Graduates of the DPT program are awarded the title of Doctor of Physical Therapy and are fully equipped to function as autonomous practitioners. They are qualified to provide direct access physical therapy services for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions. The program also aligns with international educational standards, enabling graduates to pursue equivalency and professional opportunities abroad.

Scheme of Studies

The standard scheme of studies for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is given as under:

Semester I
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Anatomy – I3 (2-1)Major
2Physiology – I3 (2-1)Major
3Kinesiology – I3 (2-1)Major
4Functional English *3 (3-0)General Education
5Natural Sciences **3 (2-1)General Education
6Arts & Humanities ***2 (2-0)General Education
7Understanding of Holy Quran – I *1 (0-1)General Education
Total Credit Hours = 18
Semester II
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Anatomy – II3 (2-1)Major
2Physiology – II3 (2-1)Major
3Kinesiology – II3 (2-1)Major
4Quantitative Reasoning – I *3 (3-0)General Education
5Expository Writing *3 (3-0)General Education
6Pakistan Studies *2 (2-0)General Education
7Understanding of Holy Quran – II *1 (0-1)General Education
Total Credit Hours = 18
Semester III
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Anatomy – III3 (2-1)Major
2Physiology – III3 (2-1)Major
3Medical Physics3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
4Principles of Biochemistry3 (3-0)Interdisciplinary
5Applications of ICT *3 (2-1)General Education
6Quantitative Reasoning – II *3 (3-0)General Education
Total Credit Hours = 18
Semester IV
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Neuro Anatomy3 (2-1)Major
2Biomechanics & Ergonomics3 (2-1)Major
3Human Psychology2 (2-0)Interdisciplinary
4Ideology & Constitution of Pakistan *2 (2-0)General Education
5Civics & Community Engagement *2 (2-0)General Education
6Entrepreneurship *2 (2-0)General Education
7Islamic Studies *2 (2-0)General Education
8Social Sciences ****2 (2-0)General Education
Total Credit Hours = 18
Semester V
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Exercise Physiology3 (2-1)Major
2Pharmacology & Therapeutics – I2 (2-0)Major
3Physical Agents & Electrotherapy – I3 (2-1)Major
4Community Medicine & Rehabilitation3 (2-1)Major
5Pathology & Microbiology – I2 (2-0)Interdisciplinary
6Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare2 (2-0)Interdisciplinary
7Supervised Clinical Practice – I3 (0-3)Clinical Practice
Total Credit Hours = 18
Semester VI
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Pharmacology & Therapeutics – II2 (2-0)Major
2Physical Agents & Electrotherapy – II3 (2-1)Major
3Therapeutic Exercises & Techniques3 (2-1)Major
4Sustainable Development Goals: Health & Wellbeing3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
5Pathology & Microbiology – II3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
6Molecular Biology & Genetics2 (2-0)Interdisciplinary
7Supervised Clinical Practice – II3 (0-3)Clinical Practice
Total Credit Hours = 19
Semester VII
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Medicine – I3 (3-0)Major
2Surgery – I3 (3-0)Major
3Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
4Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
5Scientific Inquiry & Research Methods3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
6Supervised Clinical Practice – III4 (0-4)Clinical Practice
Total Credit Hours = 19
Semester VIII
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Neurological Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
2Medicine – II3 (3-0)Major
3Surgery – II3 (3-0)Major
4Sports Physical Therapy2 (1-1)Major
5Biostatistics3 (2-1)Interdisciplinary
6Professional Practice in Healthcare2 (2-0)Interdisciplinary
7Supervised Clinical Practice – IV4 (0-4)Clinical Practice
Total Credit Hours = 20
Semester IX
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
2Prosthetics & Orthotics2 (2-0)Major
3Clinical Decision Making & Differential Diagnosis3 (3-0)Major
4Emergency Procedures in Physical Therapy2 (1-1)Major
5Evidence Based Practice3 (2-1)Major
6Supervised Clinical Practice – V4 (0-4)Clinical Practice
7Capstone / Research Project3Capstone / Research
Total Credit Hours = 20
Semester X
S.N. Courses Credit Hours Category
1Manual Therapy3 (2-1)Major
2Integumentary Physical Therapy2 (1-1)Major
3Women's Health Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
4Pediatric & Neonatal Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
5Geriatric Physical Therapy3 (2-1)Major
6Supervised Clinical Practice – VI4 (0-4)Clinical Practice
Total Credit Hours = 18

Scope of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding careers in clinical practice, education, research, and healthcare leadership. DPT professionals play an essential role in patient care by assessing, diagnosing, and managing individuals with a wide range of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary conditions across all age groups.

Graduates are equipped to:

  • Deliver patient-centered rehabilitation services, facilitating recovery from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions.
  • Work in various clinical settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, orthopedic clinics, sports medicine facilities, and community health programs.
  • Provide specialized care in areas such as:
    • Orthopedics: management of fractures, joint replacements, and post-operative rehabilitation.
    • Neurology: treatment of conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
    • Pediatrics: addressing developmental delays, congenital conditions, and pediatric injuries.
    • Geriatrics: helping elderly populations maintain mobility, function, and independence.
    • Sports Medicine: assisting athletes in injury prevention, performance enhancement, and recovery.
  • Engage in preventive care and health promotion, educating patients on ergonomics, posture, exercise, and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of injury and improve overall physical well-being.
  • Participate in academic and research activities, contributing to evidence-based practice and the advancement of the physical therapy profession.
  • Pursue roles in education, training future physical therapy professionals in academic and clinical settings.

The scope of DPT extends beyond clinical practice to encompass leadership, advocacy, and policy development in the healthcare system, both nationally and internationally. This wide range of opportunities ensures that DPT graduates are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to individual and public health.

Eligibility Criteria

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

For Pakistani Nationals

Applicants must have successfully completed Intermediate (F.Sc.) or A-Levels with pre-medical subjects (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), securing a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized board or institution.

For International Students

International applicants must possess equivalent qualifications in science subjects. All foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an Equivalence Certificate issued by the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), Pakistan, to confirm eligibility for admission to undergraduate health sciences programs.

Merit / Selection Criteria

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Admission to the DPT program is based on academic performance and a mandatory interview conducted by the institution.
  • Entry test is not required for admission.
  • NTS-NAT is accepted but not mandatory.
Merit Calculation
Component Weightage
F.Sc. (Pre-Medical)70%
Interview30%

Note: Currently, no official merit lists are published for this program.

Degree Awarding Criteria

To be eligible for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, a student must:

  • Successfully complete and pass all prescribed courses totaling at least 193 credit hours.
  • Achieve a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Program Information

  • Program Type: Undergraduate
  • Duration: 5 Years (10 Semesters)
  • Credit Hours: 189 Credit hours
  • Status: Active
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