Overview
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
- This highly competitive program offers multiple opportunities for hands-on learning through courses in our faculty-supervised clinics, plus full-time clinical affiliations around the country.
- Learn person-centered care that changes lives — of students, patients, and their families.
- The doctor of physical therapy program at Nazareth University — the only one in the Rochester region — is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
100%
100% of DPT students receive financial assistance.
Graduate students qualify for Merit-Based Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year depending on academic performance overall and in science coursework.
Full-time, day-time schedule
Complete in 3 years for graduate students, 6 years for freshmen
Integrated clinical education starts your first semester in on-campus PT clinics
Program is Ideal For
- Academically strong students driven to succeed who have a bachelor's degree and have completed these prerequisites with a grade of B or better by the start of classes (summer): 8 credits of anatomy and physiology, 8 credits of chemistry, 8 credits of physics (all sciences include labs), 3 credits of statistics (psychology-based preferred), 6 credits of psychology (one course in developmental psychology preferred).
- Strong academic performance is paramount for admission; your undergraduate major is secondary.
Elective Course Examples
- Advanced Applied Anatomy
- Advanced Neurology
- Advanced Orthopedics
- Advanced Pediatrics
- Advanced Sports PT
Value of Your Degree
- 98% two-year graduation rate, meaning 98% of those who started the professional program successfully completed it within the expected time frame, 2023-2024.
- 89% first-time two-year pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam, 2023-2024.
- 97% ultimate two-year pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam, 2023-2024.
- 100% employment rate. Of those seeking employment, all were employed within six months of passing the licensure exam, 2023-2024.
- Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing roles in health care. Jobs are projected to grow 21 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Physical therapists can practice in acute care, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, early intervention programs, schools, wellness/prevention programs, home health, and research centers.
Making Grad School Affordable
Grants, scholarships, veterans benefits, loans, and undergraduate loan forgiveness are options for paying for this grad degree.
Alum Perspective
"Nazareth's DPT program prepared me well — to work in a variety of settings with a wide base of knowledge and skills, to be a critical thinker and a lifelong learner, and to value networking. One of the biggest factors about Nazareth is the smaller class sizes. The professors know who you are on an individual level and work with you to ensure your success academically and in the profession. Through connections with professors, I have been able to travel and speak at two different conferences and secure at least two of my professional positions. Throughout my DPT program, research related to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues was a passion of mine, and I'm now glad to continue it at a larger scale as part of the American Physical Therapy Association Pediatrics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee."
— Matt Krieg '20, '22G, a full-time school-based physical therapist for Rochester City School District, plus a physical therapist for Rochester General Hospital, Monroe Community Hospital, and Unity Living Center.
What to Expect
- Develop excellent hands-on and clinical reasoning skills, effective communication strategies, and the ability to collaborate interprofessionally through experience.
- Experience integrated clinical education starting your first semester, working with patients/clients in our on-campus physical therapy clinics specializing in multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular diseases, orthopedic injuries, prosthetics, wellness, and pediatrics, under the supervision of faculty. Immediately apply material learned in lecture and lab to ensure mastery.
- Be part of a rich tradition of providing inter-professional pro-bono service to the local community by working collaboratively with occupational therapy, speech therapy, art therapy, and music therapy students in our numerous on-campus clinics.
- Use cutting-edge equipment to help patients/clients regain mobility. Research at Nazareth guided the development of Gorbel's SafeGait trainer.
- Gain further experience through four full-time clinical internships, totaling 32 weeks, at any of nearly 500 sites around the country with which Nazareth University has official agreements.
- Work closely with faculty in classes, labs, clinics, and during research projects. Faculty members have an open-door policy and students often stop by to talk about physical therapy.
- Learn human anatomy through cadaver dissection in our on-campus Anatomy & Physiology Lab.
- Conduct research with faculty mentors, attend lab classes, and help people with movement dysfunctions using high-tech equipment in Nazareth's motion analysis lab.
- Choose elective courses in unique applied clinical topics.
- You have the option to get specialized preparation in working with school-age children with autism through Nazareth's Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism (I-SPAN) specialization.
- You have the option to include an early-intervention interprofessional concentration (track): Rochester Scholars for Early Intervention helps you develop specialty knowledge and skills to be a strong advocate for young children and their families.
- Frequently asked questions about the Physical Therapy program.
Catalog: Full D.P.T. requirements, course list, and course descriptions »
Contact Information
Andrew Opett, PT, DPT, OCS
Clinical Associate Professor, Department Chair
For questions, contact PT@naz.edu
Program Faculty »
The Physical Therapy Program at Nazareth 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.