Thomas A. Koc Jr., PT, DPT, Ph.D.
Courses Taught
- DPT 6003 Human Gross Anatomy (Cadaveric)
- DPT 6010 Human Physiology
- DPT 6110 Physical Therapy Management of the Musculoskeletal System I
- DPT 6111 Physical Therapy Management of the Musculoskeletal System II
- DPT 6130 Exercise Physiology
- DPT 6160 Physical Therapy Management of the Cardiopulmonary System
- DPT 6230 Independent Study
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Thomas Koc Jr is the Program Director, Department Chair, and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Kean University in Union, NJ. He earned his DPT degree in 2011 and his Ph.D degree, with a specialization in movement science, in 2017 from Seton Hall University. Dr. Koc has been practicing in both outpatient and inpatient hospital settings since 2011. In 2013, he earned his Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT) credentials through Great Lakes Seminars. He is also a Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He received his board certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in July of 2020, through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Dr. Koc is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. His areas of research focuses on Orthopaedic/Sports Rehabilitation, Dysautonomia, Brain Injury; Concussion, and Gross Anatomy Physical Therapy Applications and Education.
The andragogy that is used throughout my courses includes a mixture of Team Based Learning (TBL), Problem Based Learning (PBL), lecture, and lab instruction. My teaching philosophy focuses on producing a learning environment that emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences into real life patient centered case scenarios.
Selected Publications
Koc Jr, T., Bise, C., Neville, C., Carrerira, D., Martin, R., McDonough, C (2025). Re-interpreting the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Plantar Heel Pain through an International Lens. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
Koc Jr, T., Tucker, J., Gentile, J., Enriquez, C., Lee, J., Jeanty, S.*, Krasowski, N.*. (2024) Handheld Dynamometer for Hamstring Strength Test Using Two Different Hand Placements/Methods: An Interrater Reliability Study. Rehabilitation Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9233802
Stavitz, J., Koc Jr, T. Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Division III Athletes Regarding Personalized Nutrition Plans for Improved Performance – A Qualitative Investigation (2024). Healthcare. 12(9), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090923
Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Dowdell, M. Giorello, G.*. (2024). A Novel Approach to Integrative Concussion Rehabilitation: A Pragmatic Study. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – International. 11(1): 1222.
Koc Jr, T., Bise, C., Neville, C., Carrerira, D., Martin, R., McDonough, C (2023). Clinical Practice Guidelines: Heel Pain-plantar fasciitis: Revision 2023. (2023). Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 53:12, CPG1-CPG39.
Martin R., Cibulka, M.T., Bolgla, L., Koc Jr, T., Loudon, J., Manske, R., Weiss, L., Christoforetti, J., Heiderscheit, B. (2022). Clinical Practice Guidelines: Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 52(3), 127-1, CPG1 – CPG44. DOI:10.2519/jospt.2022.0301
Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Hanson, K., Puxted, F.*. (2022). Measurement of improvement in exercise intolerance testing for suspected dysautonomia in protracted concussion recovery: A Retrospective Pilot Study. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2121949
Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Schaefer, A.*., Hanson, K. (2022). Identifying trends of dysautonomia signs and symptoms associated with protracted concussion recovery during the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test: A Retrospective Study. Brain Impairment, 1-10. DOI:10.1017/Brimp.2022.5
Tucker, J., Marshall, T., Beitscher, l., Mueller, K.*, Coluccio, E.*, Koc Jr, T. (2022). The Effect of Self-Reported Balance Confidence on Community Integration after Brain Injury: An Observational Study Correlational Study. Brain Impairment, 1-10. DOI:10.1017/Brimp.2022.9
Koc Jr, T, Marshall, T., Tucker, J., Gothhold, S.*, Hasanovic, R.*, Durante, C. (2021). Management of a Patient with Cavernous Malformation surgical repair at C7-T3: A Case Report. Rehabilitation Science. 6(4), 53-59. DOI: 10.11648/j.rs.20210604.11
Koc Jr, T., Phillips, H., DeLuca, D., Kirschgessner, A. (2020). The Intra-rater Reliability of the Clavicular Jump Test (CJT): A Case Control Study. International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 8(4), 1-5.
Tucker, J., Beitscher, I., Koc Jr, T., Fama, G.*, Patel, J.*, Friedman, H.*. (2020). Creative Therapeutic Interventions for Clinicians to Promote Physical Activity in Older Adults with a History of Brain Injury: A Viewpoint. Physical Therapy Reviews. DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1850164
Koc Jr, T., Marshall, T., Tucker, J., Fama, G. *, Patel, J.*. (2020). Management of a Patient with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, A New Perspective for the Physical Therapist: A Case Report. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. 7(1), 1-4. DOI: 10.7243/2055-2386-7-1
Koc Jr, T., Durante, M, Marshall, T, Bunales, I.A.*, Wint, M.*. (2019). The Immediate Effects of Knee Flexion Range of Motion Following Manual Therapy or Self-Stretching/Active Range of Motion Following a Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report. The Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 31(12), 1002-1005. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.31.1002
Marshall, T., Lacamera, J.*, Apicella, E.*, Herron, S.*, Koc Jr, T. (2019). A Home-Based Exercise Program to Improve Neuromuscular and Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters In A Multiple Myeloma Cancer Survivor With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report. Journal of Cancer Rehabilitation. 2, 36-43.