When to Register for Each Part of the Project

Thank you for your interest in the Transition Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program at Pacific University.



If you are using a “Critically Appraised Topic” format:
Part 1: PDPT 720 The initial semester when the student develops an idea for the CAT and submits the question in PICO format. In consultation with an advisor, the student selects and submits 6-8 articles for inclusion in the project.
Part 2: PDPT 721 The second semester when the student critically appraises each of the approved articles.
Part 3: PDPT 722 The final semester when the participant synthesizes the critically appraised papers and discusses their application to the question.


If you are using a format other than the “Critically Appraised Topic”:
Part 1: PDPT 720 The initial semester when the student submits an IRB proposal, receives IRB approval to proceed, and submits a first draft of the introduction/literature review and methods of the study.
The introduction section should focus on defining the subject population, discuss the rationale behind “traditional” physical therapy management for this condition, include presentation of any clinical trials that have been completed, discuss the rationale behind the studied management for this population, and lastly, justify the outcome measures the student will choose to use for the study.
Part 2: PDPT 721 The second semester when the student completes the final version of the introduction/literature review and methods, and submits a first draft of the results, discussion, and conclusion.
Part 3: PDPT 722 The final semester when the student completes the finalized version of the entire write-up.