Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program at 无码天堂 prepares students to be skilled and compassionate physical therapists, focusing on evidence-based care and promoting movement and function for patients across all ages and conditions. Through a blend of coursework, clinical experiences, and research, students develop the expertise to excel in the field of physical therapy. In our rigorous full-time program, you’ll gain the skills to be a well-rounded physical therapist ready for your licensure examination and enter the workforce.
What is a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree?
Licensure pass rate
Our classes of 2022 and 2023 achieved an average ultimate licensure pass rate of 96%.
Why earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy?
In our DPT program, you’ll be trained in clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice that equips you with the skills to care for medically complex patients. Put your skills to the test in learning labs and clinicals and gain the confidence you need from caring and student-focused faculty.
Extensive clinicals
Start clinics in your first year, and complete six clinical education experiences over 35 weeks.
Accelerated pathways
Apply as a senior in high school or college freshman to begin the DPT program after your junior year of college.
Interprofessional experience
Practice interprofessional care in training and clinics with SAU students in OT, speech pathology, and social work.
Service learning
Our program requires you to complete 20 hours of service work, 10 hours related to the profession.
Student-centered program
With a class size of 40, you’ll receive personal attention and guidance from faculty at each step of your education.
Continuing education
Our Orthopaedic and Pediatric Residency Programs prepare licensed PTs to excel in two in-demand speciality areas.
What you’ll learn in your DPT program
You’ll move through a curriculum organized with progressive complexity to integrate basic, social, and clinical sciences. You’ll gain critical thinking skills, become a problem solver, and gain professionalism.
- Preparation as a PT
- Preparation for National Physical Therapy Exam
- Strong professional identity
- Person-centered approach to client care
- Strong commitment to service and community
Optional residency opportunities
Enhance your expertise with our optional one-year Pediatric and Orthopaedic Clinical Residencies. These rigorous programs are specifically designed for SAU DPT grads, and include advanced skills, personalized mentoring, and hands-on experience in your chosen specialization.
Explore Doctor of Physical Therapy courses
- This degree will require you to complete a total 115 credits
- You’ll also complete 6 clinical rotations
- 2 residency options available; Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency or Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Residency
Sample courses
| Class code | Class title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DPT 500 | Gross Anatomy | 5 credits |
| DPT 630 | Neuromuscular Therapeutics | 5 credits |
| DPT 760 | Physical Therapy Procedures II | 4 credits |
| DPT 820 | Differential Diagnosis | 2 credits |
| DPT 830 | Management of the Medically Complex Patient | 1 credit |
How much does a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree cost?
The cost of your DPT degree will not change once you've enrolled. Tuition is billed in seven payments at the beginning of each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester according to the table below. Additional program expenses include required texts, lab fees, and other program costs (currently $2,635 total). You will also need to budget for transportation, personal costs, loan fees, and cost of living. expenses. See full cost details in our DPT Financial Fact Sheet.
Fall 2024 Cohort (28-month program)
| Expense | Per Semester (Fall or Spring) | Per Summer Session | Total Program Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tuition & fees | $17,300 | $8,650 | $103,800 |
*Includes tuition and institutional fees. Based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees.
**DPT program requires a Fall start date. Total cost includes three Fall semesters, two Spring semesters, and two Summer sessions.
无码天堂’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
The is an accrediting agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
What are the outcomes for 无码天堂's DPT program?
Graduation and licensure pass rates
Within one year of graduation, 100% of our 2022 graduates were employed. Our classes of 2022 and 2023 achieved an average ultimate licensure pass rate of 96%.
|
Class of 2022 |
Class of 2023 |
2-Year Average |
|
|
Graduation Rate |
100% |
92% |
96% |
|
First Time Licensure Pass Rate |
81% |
97% |
88% |
|
Ultimate Licensure Pass Rate |
94% |
97% |
96% |
|
1 Year Employment Rate |
100% |
In progress |
100% |
Acceptance and matriculation rates
Our two-year average acceptance rate (the number of applicants invited out of qualified applicants) is 45%. For the same period, our matriculation rate (the number who attend out of the number invited) is 52%.
|
Class of 2024 |
Class of 2025 |
2-Year Average |
|
|
Acceptance Rate |
29% |
72% |
45% |
|
Matriculation Rate |
63% |
45% |
52% |
How does SAU support DPT students?
无码天堂’s Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty have expansive clinical practice and expertise in several areas of PT. Some remain practicing clinicians ensuring you’ll gain a deep understanding of current PT practice.
Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty
Other support resources
Accessibility Resource Center
Whether you need classroom accommodations, alternative exam arrangements, or disability support strategies, our Accessibility Resource Center is here to help.
Career services
Our Academic and Career Planning Center is ready to help you polish your resume and land the job or internship that will launch your career.
Are there cost savings available for DPT?
At 无码天堂, we believe that education should be accessible to all. That's why we offer a variety of resources to help make college more affordable for our students.
Endowed Scholarship
DPT students can benefit from an endowed physical therapy scholarship. Learn more about the Endowed PT Scholarship.
Graduate assistantships
Graduate assistantships can reduce your total tuition cost or provide income as you pursue your degree. Check our employment page for open positions.
Military benefits
Veterans, service members, and their children and spouses may be eligible for education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn about military benefits.
What’s on campus for Doctor of Physical Therapy students?
Provide healthcare services to underserved community members in 无码天堂’s Interprofessional Health Clinic. This student-led clinic is supervised by faculty and licensed professionals. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to gain hands-on experience alongside other healthcare disciplines.
Participate in professional activities, service work, and social events with the Student Physical Therapy Organization. Enrich your relationships with classmates and professors through SPTO.
Admission requirements for the DPT program
Here are the admissions requirements for our DPT.
- Submit all materials through the (PTCAS). PTCAS charges a fee for the first program you apply to and an additional fee for each additional program. SAU does not have an additional supplemental fee.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education that you have attended through PTCAS. Do not send your transcripts to SAU.
- Include documentation of a minimum of 20 hours (50 hours are recommended) of clinical observation in two or more physical therapy practice settings, with licensed physical therapists. The hours must be completed at the time of submission of the application.
- Include two references with your application
- Submit a personal essay (details are provided in PTCAS)
- Send GRE scores to PTCAS (SAU code is #7742)
- Complete a personal, on-site interview with DPT faculty
Our application deadline is December 1st each year, and our cohorts begin the following Fall semester. If you have questions, reach out to our team at pt@sau.edu or 563-333-6403.
Prerequisites for the DPT program
Applicants are not required to select a particular major in order to be eligible for admission to a physical therapy education program. Common undergraduate majors among DPT students at SAU are Exercise Science, Human Performance and Fitness, Sport Management, Psychology, and Biology.
Here are the prerequisites for students entering 无码天堂’s DPT program.
- Attain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework (cumulative and prerequisite). Alternatively, attain a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale for 18 or more semester hours in an approved graduate science degree program.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher:
- General Biology (with labs), 8 credits
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (w/ labs), 8 credits
- General Chemistry (with labs), 8 credits
- College Physics (with labs), 8 credits
- Statistics/Biostatistics, 3 credits
- Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits
- Upper Level Psychology/Sociology elective, 3 credits
- Minimum 20 hours of PT observation (50 recommended)
Note: 无码天堂 Physical Therapy Department will not accept online lab courses to satisfy prerequisite requirements. All lab courses must be taken on campus.
International student requirements
If you live outside of the U.S. there are additional admissions requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All international students are required to submit official results from the TOEFL exam and must score at least 600 (written), 250 (computerized) or 100 (internet).
- International students are required to have their transcripts evaluated through the World Education Services (WES).
- Copy of your passport and other documentation
Admission requirements for accelerated pathways in our DPT program
High school seniors and college juniors are eligible for an accelerated pathway to their DPT degree. These students can save time and money by beginning their DPT degree during their senior year of college.
Requirements for High School Seniors (Track I)
High school students accepted at 无码天堂 or Loras College can apply to reserve a spot in the DPT class that begins during their senior year of college. To be eligible, high school students must:
- Have completed the equivalent of one year each of high school biology and chemistry; One year of high school physics is strongly recommended
- Attain a minimum of 3.5/4.0 unweighted high school GPA
- Complete and provide documentation using the DPT Observation Hours Form (.pdf) of at least 10 hours of observation (20 hours recommended) with a licensed physical therapist in one or more physical therapy settings.
- Complete an acceptable on-site personal interview with DPT faculty members
- Complete and submit a PT Department Track I Application (.docx)
Requirements for College Juniors (Track II)
College juniors enrolled at 无码天堂, Loras College, Augustana College (IL), or Mt. Mercy University can begin taking classes toward their DPT degree during their senior year of college if the following requirements are met:
- by December 1 (see details in “How to Apply” section above)
- Students from institutions other than SAU will need a letter from their Registrar's Office indicating that the first year of DPT courses will be credited toward the bachelor's degree and that the bachelor's degree will be awarded prior to the start of the second year in the DPT Program.
What can I do with a DPT?
Your education and degree can help you reach your professional goals. 无码天堂 can never promise a career or particular outcome upon graduating. We encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here is a list of potential job titles, traits, and settings a graduate in our Doctor of Physical Therapy program could achieve.
Potential job titles
- Physical therapist
- Rehabilitation director
- Outpatient physical therapist
- Pediatric physical therapist
- Orthopedic physical therapist
- Clinic manager
Potential employment settings
- Hospitals and clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Sports medicine facilities
- Nursing homes
- Fitness facilities
- Outpatient clinics
Traits of a PT
- Compassionate
- Client-centered
- Collaborative
- Evidence-based
- Solution-oriented
- Adaptability
Industry facts
- Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15 percent by 2032.
- The median annual wage for physical therapists was $97,720 in May 2022.
For more information on physical therapy employment and wages, visit the .
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