Learn From the Best
Clinical experiences are vital for Doctor of Physical Therapy students to develop essential skills and professional behaviors. Students gain experience in evaluating and managing musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary and acute care conditions. Expectations and objectives progress to meet entry-level and outcomes defined by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences by the curriculum's end. Each student completes one inpatient, one outpatient and two elective clinical experiences.
Starting with the 2023 cohort, each student completes three 10-week full-time clinical education experiences and four Integrated Clinical Education experiences. Full-time clinical experiences include one inpatient, one outpatient and one elective. The four ICE experiences align with didactic course content and focus on professional behaviors, knowledge and skills in various environments.
Clinical Partners
Our clinical partners are a crucial aspect of the student’s development as a physical therapist. With their assistance, our students become effective clinicians gaining hands-on experience in the evaluation and management of patients within various patient populations in a variety of settings.
For more in-depth information about being a clinical partner please view the Clinical Education Handbook.
Interested in Becoming a Clinical Partner?
If your site is interested in learning more about our clinical education program or about becoming a clinical partner, please complete our partner questionnaire and we will get back to you.
Clinical Education Team
In addition to completing our clinical partner questionnaire, you may also contact our clinical education team.
