Physical Therapy
Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Physical Therapy
The only one of its kind in Rochester, Nazareth’s physical therapy major attracts students from all over the country.
Our 3+3 program is an accelerated approach to obtaining the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. You earn a B.S. degree in health science after year 4 and the DPT degree after year 6. Your undergraduate experiences foster communication skills, innovation and creativity, and problem solving. The graduate curriculum advances your collaborative practice (including opportunities for clinic co-treatment with Naz students in music therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy), professional development, and community engagement.
Starting in year 4, you'll conduct screenings, evaluations, and interventions in our on-campus, student-run pro bono PT clinics. You'll also gain experience and explore different settings such as pediatrics, acute care, rehabilitation, orthopedics, and home care during four full-time clinical education experiences; Nazareth has contracts with clinical sites across the country.
Opportunities to use and enhance your skills while supporting community organizations include Fun Fitness Special Olympics, WNY Wreckers Wheelchair Basketball, and the MS Society’s Free from Falls program.
Highlights
Enter Naz as a 3+3 DPT program student
Choose one of four minors to add to your expertise: psychology, developing child and families, public health, or social welfare
Faculty specialty practice areas include orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, stroke rehabilitation, and more
All PT students complete a 2-year research project with a faculty member
Career Paths
- Orthopedics
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Pediatrics
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Acute rehabilitation
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Home care
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Cardiac rehabilitation
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Sports rehabilitation
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Geriatrics
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Skilled nursing facilities
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Schools and research laboratories
Employers
- Pediatrics: Rochester City School District, Clinical Association of the Finger Lakes
- Hospitals, clinics, and medical groups: University of Rochester, Rochester Regional Health, Upstate Medical Center, Erie County Medical Center
- Acute rehabilitation: Golisano brain injury center
- Home care: HCR Home Care, University of Rochester, Rochester Regional Health
- Outpatient: Lattimore PT, Agape PT, Limitless PT, MVPT, STAR PT
- Skilled nursing facilities: Highlands Living Center, Episcopal Senior Life
Advanced Degrees / Residencies
Our graduates are well prepared for, and have pursued, advanced degrees such as Ph.D. and Ed.D. Graduates have also pursued local and nationwide residency programs in the following specialty areas and obtained board certifications from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS):
- Neurology
- Orthopedics
- Sports medicine
- Pelvic health
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
98%
two-year graduation rate, 2023–24
97%
ultimate two-year licensure exam pass rate (89% first-time pass rate), 2023-24
100%
employed (of those seeking employment) within six months of passing the licensure exam, 2023–24
Admissions Standards
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.
Preparing changemakers
Through faculty mentorship and collaboration, hands-on integrated clinical experiences, and interprofessional teamwork, you'll learn how to advocate for patients in the healthcare environment and empower them to make informed decisions about their health and wellness. You learn the value of using evidence-based evaluation and intervention strategies.
At a clinical experience at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, physical therapy student Reilly Smyth worked with an 18-year-old who needed help after a car accident that obstructed his breathing, tore his liver/spleen, and caused multiple fractures. At that acute care hospital, Smyth worked with him on treadmill training with overhead harness systems, gait training with music, therapeutic activities with the facility dogs, and dual-task activities toward his goals to get home, finish his senior year of high school, and apply to colleges. "By the end of his stay at Kessler, he was independent with walking and stairs using one axillary crutch," says Reilly. She writes about that memorable experience and more in a post on the PT blog. Read about her experience >
Contact Information
Mary Ellen Vore, PT, Ed.D.
Clinical Professor
Program Director
For questions, contact PT@naz.edu
Alumni Spotlight
CJ Rose '17, '19G, physical therapist at Monroe Community Hospital and a clinical instructor in Nazareth's Neuromuscular Clinic
"One of the biggest strengths of Nazareth's DPT program, which sets Naz apart, is the hands-on learning in the on-campus clinics throughout the program. I felt much more confident going out on my clinic placements knowing I had already practiced valuable hands-on skills with the support of my professors and clinical instructors. Nazareth provides an excellent environment and exposes students to an array of experiences — to prepare you for whichever path you choose in the profession. I am thankful for the knowledge as well as excitement for the profession that Naz instilled in me. I continue to be passionate about treating patients with neurological diagnoses, which started during my time at Naz. I would highly recommend the DPT program.