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Physical Therapy
Students interested in becoming a Physical Therapist have the opportunity to begin at D’Youville as a freshmen completing an undergraduate degree in Biology, Exercise and Sports Studies or Health Services, in preparation for the professional PT program, or to be accepted as a graduate student directly into the professional PT program.
Freshmen Program Options
- Sequential degree PT program (BS in Biology + DPT program)
- Sequential degree PT program (BS in Exercise and Sports Studies + DPT program)
- Sequential degree PT program (BS in Health Services + DPT program)
These programs are offered in coordination with the respective departments. In these sequential degree entry-level PT programs, entering freshmen matriculate in and complete their BS degree under the program administration of the respective departments. Upon completion of the BS degree, qualified graduate students then move directly into the three-year doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program.
Graduate Program
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
(application deadline is November 30th)
The graduate entry-level program is offered to applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and prerequisites required by the PT department.
The DPT curriculum involves 108 credit hours and includes traditional college coursework, distance learning, clinical fieldwork affiliations and required graduate research. Coursework in the doctoral program begins in the fall semester of the first year of graduate study and runs through 9 consecutive semesters to typically be completed by August of the third year. D’Youville’s unique 36-month doctoral professional program is organized as 12-month curricula, allowing students to enter practice in a minimum of time. D’Youville’s physical therapy program offers quality clinical fieldwork experiences at a choice of more than 300 clinical sites. Internet discussion runs concurrently with clinical fieldwork so that students always have a connection to the faculty, regardless of where they choose to do their fieldwork.
The physical therapy program is a demanding program in course work, time commitment and financial obligations. Students enrolled in the professional program must complete three full-time summer sessions in addition to the six full semesters of course work in the three-year doctoral program. Clinical fieldwork, which is scheduled throughout the curriculum, may require an additional expense for travel and room and board. Physical therapy students also incur an additional expense for laboratory fees and completing the thesis or clinically applied project. Successful defense of the thesis or project, and successful performance on a comprehensive exam are required for graduation from this program. A few students in the physical therapy program may seek employment as work-study students on campus. Due to the time commitment to the program, part-time off-campus work during the program is not recommended.
Post-Professional Programs
- Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT degree)
In addition to our entry-level program, we offer a post-professional DPT program (transitional DPT) to licensed physical therapists seeking to update their credentials. Licensed D’Youville College alumni seeking to upgrade their degree status from MPT to DPT are eligible for admission into the transitional doctor of physical therapy program. Experienced licensed professionals at the bachelors prepared level may require some prerequisite course work to be eligible for admission. The program requires a total of 22 credits and may be completed within a 12-18 month period.