Clinical Education

Clinical experiences are a crucial component of the UND physical therapy curriculum.

These experiences meld the academic information with the "hands-on" clinical experience. Students participate in direct delivery of physical therapy services in a variety of settings under the direction and supervision of one or more clinical instructors (CIs). A Physical Therapist is on-site during the delivery of any service by a student physical therapist.

The clinical component of the UND physical therapy curriculum includes one integrated clinical experience and three full-time clinical affiliations. The integrated clinical experience occurs during the summer semester of the first year in the professional program. In the third year, students complete three full-time clinical affiliations: two nine-week placements in the fall semester and one twelve-week placement in the spring semester. Students are required to gain experience in in-patient, out-patient, and neurological settings.

Adherence to the APTA code of ethics, APTA standards of practice, and the UND SMHS physical therapy program core values are expected. In addition, students are expected to uphold high ethical and moral standards during clinical experiences including interactions with all parties involved.

Please find below some resource references for our students, clinical (CI/SCCEs) faculty and academic (DCE/Assistant DCE) contacts.

Clinical Education Timeline

• Clinical Education Timeline

Clinical Experience Dates (subject to change)

Fall 2025 Semester

• August 11 - October 8, 2025 (3rd year clinical experience I)
• October 11 - December 10, 2025 (3rd year clinical experience II)

Spring 2026 Semester

• January 12 - April 43, 2026 (3rd year clinical experience III)

Summer 2026 Semester

• June 15 - July 10, 2026 (1st year integrated clinical experience)
• July 13 - August 7, 2026 (1st year integrated clinical experience)

Resource Links for Clinical/Academic Faculty

• Clinical Faculty Handbook
• NPCEC Student Supervision Document (Revised 2024)
• COURSE OBJECTIVES/DESCRIPTIONS (2025/2026 Grads):
  
  • • Course Objectives PT 627 - Integrated Clinical Experience (Summer)
    • Course Objectives PT 652 - Fall Clinical Experience I
    • Course Objectives PT 653 - Fall Clinical Experience II
    • Course Objectives PT 654 - Spring Clinical III
    • Professional Course Descriptions & Class Schedule
• APTA PT CPI:
  • • APTA CPI 3.0 Login
    • APTA CPI 3.0 - CI/SCCE Training
    • CPI CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR USER GUIDE can be found in the CPI portal. Once you log-in, look for the blue question mark in a white circle at the top right of your screen.
    • CPI 3.0 CI and SCCE Rubric Training Video
    • PT CPI - Paper Version 

Resource Links for Students

• Student Handbook 2025-2026
• APTA CPI 3.0 Login
• APTA CPI 3.0 - PT Student Training
• CPI PT STUDENT USER GUIDE can be found in the CPI portal. Once you log-in, look for the blue question mark in a white circle at the top right of your screen.
• PT Student Rubric Training Video

Contacts

Steve Halcrow
Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor
701.777.3857
steven.halcrow@UND.edu

Kevin O'Brien
Assistant Director of Clinical Education
701.777.3871
kevin.obrien@UND.edu

Robin Hellman
Administrative Secretary
701.777.4176
robin.hellman@UND.edu