Doctor of Physical Therapy — 3-year graduate DPT program, Doctorate

The DPT program at DeSales accepts applications from qualified post-baccalaureate candidates with degrees from accredited institutions.

Unless otherwise indicated, all items must be submitted to PTCAS by the final deadline date for the application to be considered eligible for review:

• Submission of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, with evidence of completion of all required prerequisite courses, or plan for completion no later than June 30 prior to the start of the session to which the applicant has applied.

• Submission of completed Prerequisite Coursework form. Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a recommended minimum 3.2 GPA in mathematics and science prerequisite courses at time of application. No grade below C and no more than one re-take on any prerequisite course will be accepted. Prerequisite coursework GPA will be calculated to include all occurrences, including retakes, of all required prerequisite courses.

• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores – recommended minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 300. Visit www.ets.org for additional information. DeSales University’s institutional reporting code is 4460.

• Demonstrate understanding of and ability to meet all Technical Standards and Essential Functions required of physical therapy practice.

• Answer all required program questions detailing your interest in the field of physical therapy, and including a description of academic, employment and volunteer preparation and experiences to support the application.

• Complete 40 hours of observation/volunteer/internship/employment hours in a single physical therapy facility. Additional observation hours in a variety of physical therapy practice settings is highly recommended, i.e., outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, acute care/hospital, extended care facility, geriatrics, home health, sports medicine, etc. Referring PTs should submit their evaluation directly to PTCAS.

• Two references, completed by non-relative, professional individuals, including, but not limited to, professors, employers, and coaches, and excluding the licensed physical therapist(s) with whom clinical observation was performed. All completed references should be submitted directly to PTCAS by the individuals that complete them—not by the applicant.

• If selected for application review, qualified candidates must complete an on-campus interview with DPT program faculty for final determination of admission.  

• All international applicants from a country where the official language is other than English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and present documentation of scores with the minimum requirement of 104 for the Internet-based test.  Please visit www.ets.org for additional information.

• All transcripts from any degree-granting institution outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES approved evaluation service with the resulting report submitted with the DPT program application to PTCAS.  Please visit www.naces.org for additional information.

The program curriculum includes a foundation in basic science, followed by clinical and physical therapy science built around the body’s physiological systems.

• Students will use the University’s gross anatomy laboratory, with dissection creating a deeper foundational knowledge of the human body.
• Each student will participate in a research project with a faculty mentor, including a literature review, project design, data collection and data analysis.
• The program has 36 weeks of clinical education experience distributed across four courses.

Learn more about our dynamic curriculum

The Area's Only Gross Anatomy Lab

Complete with cadavers, our Gross Anatomy Laboratory enhances the training of our students, giving them a real understanding of the human body. Most DPT programs only have cadaver labs if they are associated with medical schools. However, because DeSales has the only cadaver lab in the region, we offer opportunities for shared use in partnership with area hospitals.

Classroom Lab in Wills Hall

Most of the Physical Therapy classes at DeSales will take place in dedicated physical therapy classroom, skills, and research laboratory facilities in Chappuis Hall. Our facilities are outfitted with new, contemporary equipment currently used in physical therapy practice settings.

The Community Wellness and PT Clinic

Physical therapy is available for community members at the Community Wellness and PT clinic, which offers evidenced-based physical therapy services to decrease pain and improve function of patients. The Clinic provides greater access to PT services for the community, while giving students hand-on learning opportunities. This clinic is embedded in the curriculum, so a referral for service is not required.

DeSales Simulation Lab

The Health Care Simulation Lab features state-of-the-art technology, including mannequin simulators, audio/video technology, integrated simulation management, and skills-evaluation software. The advanced capabilities of the sim lab greatly improve the learning experience by providing life-like situations in a low-risk setting. This gives our students the confidence they need to provide high-quality patient care when they eventually perform procedures on actual patients.

Program Costs

• Tuition per year ($11,550 per term): $34,650*
• Professional fees per year ($500 per term): $1,500
• Books (estimate for entire program texts): $2,400
• Clinical Education (estimates for entire program): $1,020
• Graduation Fee: $120

*Tuition/year listed is for 2023/2024 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets

DPT Expected Outcomes:

In addition to University graduate learning outcomes and DPT program goals, the following outcomes measures will be annually assessed for progress toward established thresholds.

• Graduation Rate is defined by CAPTE as the percentage of students who matriculated in the first course in the program after the drop/add period and who ultimately completed the program. The most recent national average as reported by CAPTE was 96.5%. Our program established a threshold for this outcome measure of 95%. The Class of 2021 and 2022 graduation rates were 96.4% and 100% respectively.
• Employment Rate is defined by CAPTE as the percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed (full-time or part-time) as physical therapists within one year of graduation. The most recent national average as reported by CAPTE was 99%. Our program consistently meets our employment rate threshold of 100% every year.
• National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rate is defined in two ways: (1) first-time pass rate as compared with the national average and (2) ultimate pass rate within a program. The 3-year national average (2020-2022) for first-time pass rate as reported by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy is 88.4% and the ultimate pass rate is 96.8%. Our program's 3-year first-time pass rate average (2020-2022) of 98.7% exceeds both the national average and our established threshold of 95%. Our 2-year ultimate pass rate (2020-2021) is 100%.

Mission Statement

The mission of the DeSales University Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to provide a quality physical therapy education consistent with Christian humanism and Salesian values of service, faith and reason. Students and graduates use their knowledge and skills to integrate scientific inquiry and evidence-based clinical reasoning into everyday practice, addressing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions. With a focus on social responsibility and ethical conduct, students and graduates are committed to the advancement of the physical therapy profession and to an ongoing personal desire for learning and growth. Through inter-professional communication and collaboration, graduates are prepared to be adaptable in the complex healthcare environment of today and tomorrow.