Doctor of Physical Therapy
Description
In the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program students attend expert-led lectures, advance their technique in the skills laboratory and participate in small group discussions focused around clinical practice. Our students build their skills during full-time clinical experiences which are carefully selected to give students the opportunity to be mentored by experienced clinical practitioners in a variety of patient populations.
This 3-year, full-time program is designed for individuals who have completed three years of undergraduate work at Simmons or a bachelor's degree from another institution. Prospective students must also have completed the necessary physical therapy prerequisite work.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Simmons University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
Learning Outcomes
1) STUDENT GOAL
Graduates of the Simmons University Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be prepared to be leaders in providing legal and ethical, informed, effective, contemporary, and comprehensive physical therapy services across the continuum of care and patient/client lifespan within the dynamic health care environment.
- Students will practice as entry-level physical therapists completion of the program.
- Students will seek out and critically utilize professional literature and educational opportunities to inform practice.
- Students will be prepared to contribute to the body of knowledge in the profession as well as participate in the clinical research process.
2) STUDENT GOAL
Graduates of the Simmons University Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be prepared to be leaders in recognizing and respecting the socioeconomic, psychosocial, and cultural context of patient/client-centered care and be able to adapt professional responsibilities and service delivery models within diverse communities.
- Students will use skills in self-assessment, teamwork, and inter- and intra-professional collaboration to foster professional development to optimize patient care.
- Students will contribute to the profession, patient/clients, and/or communities of interest through service, advocacy, and leadership.
3) PROGRAM GOAL
The Simmons University Doctor of Physical Therapy program will demonstrate commitment to educating future physical therapists by ensuring regular assessment of the appropriate resources, both capital and human, upon which informed decisions will be made towards setting and achieving the highest standards.
- Implement a regularly scheduled assessment program that seeks input from stakeholders and triangulates data points to ensure a thorough review.
- Implement and utilize a feedback loop which would allow for objective changes in the DPT program based on current assessment.
Requirements for entry into program
Applicants to the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program should hold a BS or BA degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or university abroad which is recognized by the Ministry of Education in the home country.
A minimum of 30 hours of physical therapy observation experience is required, for which a licensed PT must verify hours using the PTCAS format. Students who are completing these required hours at the time of application must provide written verification of the remaining hours to the Office of Admission of the College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences no later than May 1.
Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before the application deadline. Simmons DPT will accept GRE scores up to five (5) years old. The PTCAS GRE score code is: 1610. We look for minimum scores of 150 (verbal reasoning), 144 (quantitative reasoning), and 4.0 (analytical writing).
The following courses are required prior to application:
- Biology * (one semester)
- Chemistry * (two semesters)
- Exercise Physiology (one semester)
- Human Anatomy * (one semester)
- Human Physiology * (one semester)
- Physics * (two semesters) (can be calculus-based or non-calculus based)
- Psychology (two semesters)
- Statistics (one semester)
*With Labs
All courses should be equal to one semester in length. Thus, two quarters may be required to equal one semester.
All courses must have been completed within ten years prior to the application deadline. These prerequisite courses must have been graded and may not have been completed on a pass/fail or audited basis. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and AP (Advanced Placement) scores are not accepted in lieu of these courses. Combined courses in Anatomy and Physiology (A/P) are acceptable. Two semesters are required.
Only two prerequisites can be outstanding for application eligibility.
A maximum of two prerequisites may be retaken, regardless of grades earned and whether or not the courses were re-taken at the same or different institutions. Course titles may differ but if the content is the same, it is considered a repeat. Repeated or failed courses should be included in GPA calculations. Students enrolled in quarter or trimester systems may need to complete/submit grades for multiple terms to equate to a semester.
For all graduate programs in Nursing, Nutrition Physical Therapy and Health Professions Education:
Students whose first language is not English (regardless of citizenship) must submit official scores of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), taken within two years prior to the application deadline. No other English proficiency exam is acceptable. The TOEFL requirement is based on native language not citizenship.
Applicants who have graduated from post-secondary institutions abroad (recognized by the Ministry of Education in the host country) in English-speaking countries only or applicants who have earned a bachelor's or master's degree at regionally accredited U.S. institutions do not need to submit TOEFL.
The minimum acceptable score is 570 (Paper Test) or 230 (Computer Test) or 88 (Internet based). Copies of student score reports are not acceptable.
Delivery Modes Available
The DPT requires a full-time commitment of 36 months on campus.
Degree requirements
Credits: 99
DPT Program Curriculum
Year 1 Summer
Year 1 Fall
| DPT 612 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| DPT 622 | Movement Science I | 3 |
| DPT 632 | Concepts & Skills in Physical Therapy I | 3 |
| DPT 652 | Evidence Based Practice I | 2 |
| DPT 672 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculoskeletal I | 7 |
Year 1 Spring
| DPT 613 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| DPT 623 | Movement Science II | 3 |
| DPT 633 | Concepts and Skills in Physical Therapy II | 3 |
| DPT 653 | Evidence Based Practice II | 2 |
| DPT 673 | Frameworks of Physical Therapy: Musculos keletal II | 7 |
Year 2 Summer
Year 2 Fall
| DPT 712 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| DPT 722 | Integument, Prosthetics, & Orthotics | 2 |
| DPT 732 | Neuroanatomy | 2 |
| DPT 742 | Health Promotion, Wellness, and Advocacy | 3 |
| DPT 752 | Research Seminar: Proposal | 1 |
| DPT 772 | Frameworks for Physical Therapy: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary | 7 |
Year 2 Spring
| DPT 713 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| DPT 743 | Principles of Practice Management | 3 |
| | |
| DPT 753 | Research Seminar: Systematic Review I | 1 |
| OR | |
| DPT 763 | Research Seminar: Faculty Directed Research I | 1 |
| | |
| DPT 783 | Frameworks for Physical Therapy: Neuromuscular I | 7 |
| SNHS 450 | Health Care System: Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 |
Year 3 Summer
| DPT 714 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| DPT 724 | Advanced Topics | 3 |
| DPT 734 | Complex Conditions | 2 |
| DPT 754 | Research Seminar: Systematic Review II | 1 |
| OR | |
| DPT 764 | Research Seminar: Faculty Directed Research II | 1 |
| DPT 784 | Frameworks for Physical Therapy: Neuromuscular II | 5 |
Year 3 Fall
Year 3 Spring
Licensure, certification, etc.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed the DPT program, attaining a minimum of a B (3.0) average. As graduates of a physical therapy accredited program, students are eligible to take the National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE.) Students graduate in May of the third year and can apply to take the examination at that time by contacting the Federation of State Boards Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and your jurisdiction to sit for the next fixed-date NPTE test.