Physical therapists today must be more than clinicians with excellent hands-on skills. They must be effective communicators, reflective and analytical professionals, and compassionate and engaged caregivers. Nazareth University's physical therapy degree program stresses all of these, giving you the knowledge and skills to treat the whole client.
Our D.P.T. program integrates classroom studies with hands-on clinical experiences beginning in your first full semester, allowing you to practice skills under the supervision of faculty and community-based physical therapists. These clinical experiences both provide authentic learning environments and supply much-needed services to the community.
All students complete a full, two-year research project with a faculty member. More than 70% of these projects are accepted for presentation at state and national professional conferences.
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.
100% of physical therapy students receive financial assistance.
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 >
Andrew Opett, PT, DPT, OCS
Clinical Associate Professor, Department Chair
For questions, contact PT@naz.edu
"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.
— CJ Rose '17, '19G, physical therapist at Monroe Community Hospital and a clinical instructor in Nazareth's Neuromuscular Clinic
In addition to on-campus clinical experiences, field experiences include:
Our graduates are well prepared for, and have pursued, residencies and advanced degrees such as:
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.