The Duquesne China-Health Institute (DCHI), in collaboration with multiple Chinese Universities, began its inception in 2013 with a unique global partnership and health service initiative. The first cohort of students arrived on campus for instruction during the Fall of 2014. The Institute, formerly known as the China Linkage Program, offers Master's degrees in Physical Therapy (DCHI-PT), Occupational Therapy (DCHI-OT) and Speech Language Pathology (DCHI-SLP). Currently, in the Class of 2021, there are 46 full-time students enrolled amongst the three Graduate programs. To date, over 165 graduates have completed their degree in their designated discipline. Today, these alumni serve as clinical leaders and respected educators in their healthcare fields throughout many of China's most renowned and prestigious hospitals and Universities. In addition, the Institute accepted their first doctoral students into the Ph.D. program of Health Sciences in the Fall of 2021. 

Students may currently select from the fields of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Language Pathology in the Master's degree program. Students enrolled in the program are expected to complete their Master's program in a three semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) educational term, which will encompass intensive academic preparation, clinical skill training and observation experiences. The specific curriculum for all three 30-credit programs can be found here.

Included in the DCHI program are 30+ hours of field work observations at many well-known health institutes and outpatient facilities in the state of Pennsylvania. Some of our partnerships include UPMC Hospitals, Allegheny Health Network, Children's Hospital, and The Children's Institute. Students get to observe many expert clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh region.

The Institute is located on Duquesne University's beautiful city campus located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Classes, along with their corresponding labs, take place within Fisher, Rangos and Bayer Halls. Speech language pathology students have an opportunity to perform clinical components of their education through the University's outpatient SLP clinic.

Master of Occupational Therapy (30 Credits)

Fall- 9 Credits

  • Occupational Performance Perspectives (REHS 524) 3 cr.
  • Occupational Performance Evaluation (REHS 551/L) 3 cr. 
  • Occupational Therapy Essentials (REHS 529)  3 cr.

Spring- 13.5 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Fundamentals of Hand Therapy (REHS 504) 1 cr.
  • Neuro & Sensorimotor Function/Lab (REHS 519/L) 4 cr. 
  • Neuro & Sensorimotor Function II/Lab (REHS 525/L) 4 cr.
  • Mental Health in OT (REHS 552)  3 cr.

Summer- 7.5 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Biomechanical Function (REHS 520) 3cr.
  • Environmental Adaptations and Rehab Tech (REHS 523) 3 cr. 

Master of Physical Therapy (30 Credits)

Fall- 11 Credits

  • Kinesiology/Lab (REHS 530)  3 cr.
  • Therapeutic Modalities/Lab (REHS 532) 3 cr.
  •  Prosthetics & Orthotics/Lab (REHS 534) 2 cr.
  • Differential Diagnosis & Assessment in PT/Lab (REHS 539)  3 cr.

Spring- 12.5 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Geriatrics (REHS 522) 2 cr.
  • Orthopedic Science (REHS 535) 3 cr.
  • Neurologic Science/Lab (REHS 536) 3 cr.
  • Therapeutic Exercise/Lab (REHS 537) 3 cr.

Summer- 6.5 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Pediatrics (REHS 502) 2 cr.
  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Science/Lab (REHS 538)  3 cr.

The MS in Physical Therapy is not accredited by the Commission on Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Further, completion of this program does not make graduates eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).

Master of Speech-Language Pathology (30 Credits)

Fall- 12 Credits

  • Aphasia (REHS 560) 3 cr.
  • Voice Disorders (REHS 561)  3 cr.
  • Speech Science (REHS 565)  2 cr.
  • Dysphagia (REHS 566)  3 cr. 

Spring- 12 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Neurocognitive Disorders (REHS 506) 3 cr.
  • Case Study Applications in SLP (REHS 508) 0.5 cr
  • Speech Production Disorders (REHS 562) 2 cr.
  • Motor Speech Disorders (REHS 563)  2 cr. 
  • Craniofacial Disorders & Pediatric Oral Motor Feeding (REHS 567) 3 cr. 

Summer- 6 Credits

  • Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (REHS 503) 1.5 cr.
  • Pediatric Language Disorders (REHS 507) 3 cr.
  • Case Study Applications in SLP (REHS 508) 0.5 cr
  • Stuttering (REHS 568) 1 cr. 

* Clinical SLP Practice in the US (includes clinical observation): This is a 2-credit course that begins in the Spring semester and completes at the end of the Summer semester. Students will be introduced to models of clinical practice used in various speech-language pathology settings. Principles of assessment and treatment will be explored through lectures and guided observation. At least 15 hours of observation will be required.

Ph.D. in Health Sciences (72 Credits)

(Up to) 18 credits - Transferred in from Master's degree based on close review and analysis of previous MS transcripts
18 credits - Core curriculum (at least 9 credits of Research Design / Statistics)
18 credits - Specialty Area
18 credits - Dissertation