College of Health and Human Services
Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
Physical Therapy - Entry Level, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
- This degree will require 25 months of full-time study to complete.
| Minimum Units for Completion |
90 |
| Additional Admission Requirements |
Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship |
Required |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees |
Required |
| Some online/blended coursework |
Required |
| Licensure |
This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
Scope
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the required degree in the U.S. to practice as a physical therapist. Physical therapy is a healthcare profession focused on optimizing movement for daily activity and participation in life and society. Physical therapists work with individuals, families, and communities to restore, maintain, and promote optimal movement to enhance functional capability and performance. In addition, the roles of physical therapists in society are in wellness, fitness, health promotion, and the prevention and management of disease and disability. Physical therapists provide essential services addressing health needs across the continuum of services and throughout the lifespan.
Content
The DPT program includes both didactic study and clinical education experiences to prepare learners to become health professionals in the career of physical therapy. The learners develop competencies in the domains of knowledge for practice, patient/client care and services, practice management, communication and collaboration, teaching and learning, stewards of societal health, and professionalism to carry out entrustable professional activities. Learners prepare to deliver person-centered, value-based care reflective of contemporary physical therapist practice across the continuum of services and throughout the lifespan. Each learner will participate in 32 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences supervised by a licensed physical therapist.
Future Opportunities
The DPT is a clinical doctorate that prepares students to take the national licensing examination required to practice physical therapy in the U.S. Students are prepared as entry-level physical therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter clinical practice in diverse settings, including but not limited to outpatient clinics, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, sports and fitness facilities, and home health agencies.
Population Best Suited
Students entering the DPT program must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, and completed the necessary prerequisite courses and admissions requirements. It is a rigorous full-time program that requires learners to possess the physical therapy technical standards and professionalism reflective of the profession and University.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Learners will demonstrate progressive competence throughout the first year of courses.
- Learners will demonstrate clinical readiness for clinical education experiences.
- Learners will demonstrate progressive entrustment in carrying out essential professional responsibilities in clinical practice.
- Learners will be entrusted to safely and effectively execute the essential professional responsibilities of an autonomous entry-level physical therapist in clinical practice.
More Information