Physical Therapy

Credits: 99

DPT Program Curriculum

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

The expectation is that applicants have a minimum 3.0 GPA in both their overall undergraduate and overall prerequisite GPAs. All courses must have been completed within ten years prior to the application deadline. All courses should be equal to one semester in length. Thus, two quarters may be required to equal one semester

Courses completed on a pass/fail or audited basis, and CLEP and AP scores are not accepted in lieu of these courses.

Two prerequisites may be outstanding for application eligibility, as long as they are completed in the spring semester before the start of the program in June.

A maximum of two prerequisites may have been retaken once, regardless of grades earned and whether or not the courses were re-taken at the same or different institution. Course titles may differ but if the content is the same, it is considered a repeat. 

If you want to know if a particular course will meet our admission requirements, email the SSHP Graduate Office of Admission. Please provide the name and number of the course,where it was/will be offered and when. We will tell you if it is has been approved or if we need a course syllabus for further review. If we need a syllabus, please complete and submit the required form below. An evaluation of a course cannot be completed until we receive this form.

• Prerequisite/Syllabus Review Process
• Course Syllabus Data Form

Mission 

The DPT program educates future physical therapists as human movement system specialists who practice evidence-informed care that is holistic, inclusive, and equitable for all individuals and communities. The program cultivates a commitment to excellence, life-long learning, scientific inquiry, leadership, diversity, and advocacy through engaged citizenship.

Vision

A collaborative, innovative educational program that integrates academic excellence with rigorous career preparation, outstanding clinical experiences and research opportunities. A DPT program that is diverse in faculty and students, and that educates and prepares exceptional clinicians who are leaders in the field, advocates, and meaningful contributors to society.

Values

• Excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice
• Critical inquiry through problem-based learning
• Wellness and health promotion through the lifespan
• Ability to adapt and contribute to the changing landscape of healthcare
• Empathy, compassion, and resilience

Graduation Rate (2-year average)

Licensure Pass Rate (2-year average)

Employment Rate (2-year average)

(% of graduates who were employed as PTs within six months of graduation)

Research and evidence-informed practice are critical threads in the DPT program. Applied research provides the foundation for understanding evidence-informed practice. All students in the DPT program complete a capstone research project, where you'll work in small groups on faculty-directed research to address clinical practice questions. Many of our students disseminate their research at local, national, or international physical therapy conferences.

We have a 522 square foot research laboratory that features:

• 10-camera Vicon-Optical motion analysis system – ability to capture full-body human movement at various velocities and obtain 3D kinematic data 
• Bertec forceplate – ability to capture kinetic data, such as ground reaction forces during walking, balance, or other closed chain activity
• 8-channel Noraxon Wireless TeleMyo Electromyography system – ability to obtain muscle activation data 
• Supersonic Imagine Aixplorer, Ultrasound imaging system with Shear Wave Elastography – ability to capture real-time ultrasound images as well as quantify tissue stiffness 
• trakSTAR – electromagnetic motion analysis system with 5 sensors: ability to capture smaller area, fine movement and obtain 3D kinematic data

Details regarding the minimum qualifications to seek licensure in individual state’s can be found on the state physical therapy licensing board website.

State by State Licensure Information

Simmons University: School of Sciences and Health Professions physical therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This program does meet the pre-licensing requirements for all states, the District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. At this time American Samoa, and Guam do not regulate the profession of physical therapy.

We recommend that you contact your respective state physical therapy licensing board to determine any other requirements for licensure (e.g. additional post-graduation examinations, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, etc.). It is important that you be aware of all such requirements and that you plan accordingly.