Over 200 clinical sites, located across the country, are affiliated with Simmons College and provide students with the opportunity to work with skilled clinicians and to participate in the practice of physical therapy. Each student must complete twelve months of clinical course work. The degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. Physical Therapy Practice Students learn and apply concepts and skills that are basic to the practice of physical therapy. The core foundations of clinical practice include sensitivity to ethical issues in health care as well as patients' and clients' culture, psychological reactions to disease and disability, learning abilities, and motivations to adhere to healthy behaviors.
Students also learn methods of helping patients and clients to modify and improve health behaviors.
Students learn how patients and clients move within their environments, and practice teaching and assisting them with the applicable skills. The semester includes lecture, laboratory, and discussion. There is an emphasis on developing professional behaviors and communication skills. Course activities draw upon examples from PT 431. The semester includes tutorials, lecture, laboratory, and integrated clinical experiences.