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DPT Curriculum & Study Scheme 2025
Currently, there is no separate DPT Council in Pakistan. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is the main authority that approves and revises the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum through its National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC).
As per HEC guidelines:
- Credit Hours: The complete DPT program consists of 175 credit hours.
- Examination System: DPT can be taught under both annual and semester systems. In the annual system, two consecutive semesters are considered as one academic year.
- Course Structure: The program includes a balance of basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, and specialized physical therapy courses. Students study subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Pathology, Pharmacology, Neurological PT, Musculoskeletal PT, Cardio-Respiratory PT, and Community-Based Rehabilitation.
Duration of DPT in Pakistan
- Program Length: The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a 5-year undergraduate degree program in Pakistan.
- House Job Requirement: After completing the 5 years of academic study, students are required to complete a 1-year mandatory clinical internship/house job in a recognized hospital or clinical setup.
- Total Time: In total, the program takes 6 years (5 years study + 1 year house job).
- This duration is the same across all public and private universities offering DPT in Pakistan under HEC-approved curriculum.
DPT Course Syllabus 2025
DPT Syllabus HEC Higher Education Commission
In Pakistan, some institutes/universities/medical colleges offer this program annually and some offer on semester basis depending upon the admission policy and criteria of respective institution. HEC has issued syllabus for Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT. We have provided you course outline of DPT by HEC. You can download from the link below:
DPT First Year Syllabus
Following are the DPT first year subjects and DPT first and second semester syllabus. The students can know DPT 1st year syllabus from this course outline:
The first year builds the foundation in basic medical sciences, English, statistics, and Pakistan studies.
1st Semester – First Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy-I | 4 (3+1) |
| Physiology-I | 3 (2+1) |
| Kinesiology-I | 3 (2+1) |
| English-I (Functional English) | 3 (3+0) |
| Pakistan Studies | 2 (2+0) |
| Bio-Statistics-I | 3 (3+0) |
2nd Semester – First Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy-II | 4 (3+1) |
| Physiology-II | 3 (2+1) |
| Kinesiology-II | 3 (2+1) |
| English-II (Functional English) | 3 (3+0) |
| Islamic Studies / Ethics | 2 (2+0) |
| Bio-Statistics-II (Optional) | 3 (3+0) |
DPT Second Year Syllabus
Students progress into computer skills, biochemistry, advanced anatomy, biomechanics, and behavioral sciences.
3rd Semester – Second Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| English-III (Technical Writing & Analytical Skills) | 3 (3+0) |
| Introduction to Computer | 3 (2+1) |
| Anatomy-III | 3 (2+1) |
| Physiology-III | 3 (2+1) |
| Biomechanics & Ergonomics-I | 3 (3+0) |
| Biochemistry & Genetics-I | 2 (2+0) |
4th Semester – Second Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy-IV | 3 (2+1) |
| Biomechanics & Ergonomics-II | 3 (2+1) |
| Behavioral Sciences | 3 (3+0) |
| Biochemistry & Genetics-II | 2 (2+0) |
| Exercise Physiology | 3 (3+0) |
| Medical Physics | 3 (2+1) |
DPT Third Year Syllabus
The third year introduces pathology, pharmacology, physical agents, exercise therapy, and clinical practice.
5th Semester – Third Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathology & Microbiology-I | 2 (2+0) |
| Pharmacology-I | 3 (3+0) |
| Physical Agents & Electrotherapy-I | 3 (2+1) |
| Therapeutic Exercise & Techniques | 3 (2+1) |
| Sociology | 2 (2+0) |
| Health & Wellness | 2 (2+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-I | 3 (0+3) |
6th Semester – Third Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Pathology & Microbiology-II | 3 (2+1) |
| Pharmacology-II | 2 (2+0) |
| Physical Agents & Electrotherapy-II | 3 (2+1) |
| Manual Therapy | 3 (2+1) |
| Teaching Methodology & Community Medicine | 3 (3+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-II | 3 (0+3) |
DPT Fourth Year Syllabus
Students study medicine, surgery, radiology, musculoskeletal rehab, and community rehabilitation.
7th Semester – Fourth Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Medicine-I | 3 (3+0) |
| Surgery-I | 3 (3+0) |
| Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging | 3 (2+1) |
| Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy | 3 (2+1) |
| Human Growth, Development & Community-Based Rehabilitation | 2 (2+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-III | 3 (0+3) |
8th Semester – Fourth Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Medicine-II | 3 (3+0) |
| Surgery-II | 3 (3+0) |
| Neurological Physical Therapy | 3 (2+1) |
| Evidence-Based Practice | 3 (2+1) |
| Prosthetics & Orthotics | 2 (2+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-IV | 3 (0+3) |
5th Year Syllabus For DPT
The final year focuses on specialized physical therapy fields, clinical decision-making, research, and supervised practice.
9th Semester – Fifth Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy | 3 (2+1) |
| Emergency Procedures & Primary Care in Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Clinical Decision-Making & Differential Diagnosis | 3 (3+0) |
| Scientific Inquiry & Research Methodology | 3 (2+1) |
| Professional Practice (Laws, Ethics & Administration) | 2 (2+0) |
| Integumentary Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-V | 3 (0+3) |
10th Semester – Fifth Professional Year
| Subject | Credits |
|---|---|
| Obstetrics & Gynecological Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Pediatric Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Gerontology & Geriatric Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Sports Physical Therapy | 2 (2+0) |
| Supervised Clinical Practice-VI | 4 (0+4) |
| Research Project | 6 |
DPT Course FAQs
Q: Which are the subjects of DPT program?
Ans: DPT is the five year degree program consists of 10 semesters. In these 10 semesters, the following subjects are taught to the students: • Anatomy -1 • Physiology -1 • Biostatistics -1 • English communication skills • Islamic studies/ ethics • Biomechanics & ergonomics • Biochemistry & genetic-1 • Exercise physiology • Medical physics • Pharmacology • Supervised clinical practice-1
Q: What is the course of DPT for Ist professional year?
Ans: The first year of DPT consist of 2 semesters. In the first professional year of DPT, following subjects are taught to the students: • Kinesiology -1 and practical • Anatomy-1 and practical • Pakistan studies • English-1 (functional English) • Anatomy-2 and practical • Physiology-2 and practical • Kinesiology-2 and practical • Islamic studies/ ethics
Q: What is the difference in syllabus for DPT in different universities?
Ans: In Pakistan, the syllabus of DPT is given by Higher Education Commission HEC. The syllabus of DPT may be different in different universities. There is only a slightly difference in the syllabus of DPT in different universities. The basic topics and subjects for DPT are same in all universities.
Q: Is DPT hard to study?
Ans: DPT stands for Doctor of Physiotherapy. The physiotherapists deal with the joints and bone related therapies. In DPT programs, the students are taught the basic anatomy and physiology. The students need a lot of hard work for understanding. DPT is considered as a difficult degree.
Q: Which subjects are taught in the fifth year of DPT course?
Ans: In the last 2 semesters or fifth year of DPT course, following subjects are taught to the students: • Cardiopulmonary physical therapy • Clinical Decession making & differential diagnosis • Integumentry physical therapy • Supervised clinical practice • Scientific inquiry & research methodology (practical) • Obstetrics & Gynaecological physical therapy • Pediatric physical therapy • Sport physical therapy • Research project
Q: How can we get DPT syllabus pdf 2025?
Ans: The students who want the syllabus of DPT in pdf can get it from Ilmkidunya website which is issued by HEC.
Q: Which country is the best for DPT study?
Ans: As there is the demand of DPT in foreign countries, the students go abroad for DPT study. The USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Kuwait, New Zealand and Europe are the best countries for DPT course. In these countries, the students can easily get job after DPT program.
By the end of the program, DPT graduates are equipped with theoretical knowledge, clinical expertise, research skills, and practical training to serve as professional physical therapists in healthcare and rehabilitation centers.