Clinical Education is focused on the development and application of patient management skills and professional behaviors throughout the Curriculum. Students interact with those in need across the lifespan in a variety of practice settings during Integrated Clinical Education (ICE) Experiences and full-time clinical experiences.
ICE Experiences are threaded throughout Year 1 and Year 2 of the program and involve individual experiential learning experiences in authentic clinical environments which support student exposure, integration, and application of classroom knowledge and skills into clinical practice under guidance of PT clinical faculty.
Students are required to complete full-time clinical experiences in inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Students may have the opportunity to complete one of their terminal clinical experiences in a specialty setting such as pediatrics, sports, lymphedema, or pelvic health. NSU has clinical partnerships to provide these clinical education experiences with local, regional, and national affiliates.
Students are responsible for all costs (housing, transportation, application fees, etc.) associated with ICE and full-time clinical experiences, including those sites out of the local area.
Curriculum
Semester |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Summer |
|
PHT 6824 CP II |
PHT 6907 CEE Orientation |
Fall |
PHT 6804 CP IA |
PHT 6834 CP IIIA |
PHT 6917 CEE A PHT 6927 CEE B |
Winter |
PHT 6814 CP IB |
PHT 6844 CP IIIB |
PHT 6937 CEE C |
CP = Clinical Practicum
CEE = Clinical Education Experience

Clinical Education Resources
NSU Fort Lauderdale Clinical Education Policy Manual
ACAPT Clinical Education Terminology (DOC)
Acute Care Core Competencies for Entry-Level Practice in Physical Therapy (PDF)
APTA Reference Manual for Site Coordinators of Clinical Education (PDF)
Clinical Education Terminology Updates (PDF)
Essential Functions/Technical Standards of DPT Students (PDF)
Facilitating Student Clinical Reasoning - Power Point Presentation (PDF)
Clinical Instructor of the Year
Paula Meyer Pinto, PT, ATRIC
Baptist Health South Florida Bethesda Hospital, Center for Pediatric Development
Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise Certification
Congratulations to Paula Meyer Pinto who received the 2025 NSU Ft. Lauderdale Physical Therapy Program Outstanding Clinical Instructor of the Year Award!
Paula demonstrates consistent, exemplary commitment to clinical education by creating learning moments, supporting student critical thinking, fostering practice of new skills, and encouraging an environment of learning.
“She made sure to not only provide me with AMPLE resources she also took the time to physically show me new techniques and allow me to try interventions on my own with my own creative twist. Paula loves to give back and teach others, not only PT students. In these moments I learned so much more about Pediatrics that doesn’t include only the PT side of things, and it created an environment where everyone was willing to learn more from their colleagues.”
Thank you, Paula, for your service to NSU and for supporting the PT profession through your impactful role in clinical education!
Contact Us
If you are a SCCE/CCCE, Clinical Instructor, or current student, please contact:
Kim Smith, PT, DPT, NCS - Director of Clinical Education at ksmith@nova.edu (954) 262-1746
Alondra Otto, PT, DHSc – Assistant Director of Clinical Education at ao538@nova.edu (954) 795-4934
Kimmie O'Neill - Clinical Support Coordinator at koneill1@nova.edu (954) 262-1363