Doctor of Physical Therapy

Think critically, act professionally, serve altruistically

More than 120,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S., treating nearly 1 million people every day. Alvernia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program aspires to develop ethical leaders prepared to assume a leadership role in addressing the health-related concerns society faces. Alvernia’s DPT program utilizes a state-of-the-art facility, featuring Anatomage Virtual Dissection tables, a research lab with motion analysis system, a real-time ultrasound unit, a split-belt treadmill, surface electromyography and accelerometers.
 

• Alvernia's DPT program is offered in a 4+3 year curricular format. Prospective students with an earned bachelor’s degree from Alvernia or another four-year accredited institution are welcome to apply.
• A 3+3 year, accelerated format is also available that allows Alvernia students who are admitted as undergraduate freshman into one of 4 majors (Biochemistry, Biology, Healthcare Science, or Psychology) to begin the professional phase of the curriculum in their senior year. Upon maintaining the required GPA and completion of all requirements, these students are eligible to compete with other accelerated students for entrance into the program, and may complete their undergraduate training and doctoral degree within 6 years.

Getting Started

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Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective students may apply to Alvernia at any time. Multiple start dates throughout the year allow accepted students to begin a program of study at an accommodating time. We constantly accept and review applications contingent on openings in specific academic majors.

Keeping on track is important throughout the process. We encourage you to work with an Admissions Counselor to submit all necessary materials by required deadlines. Our dedicated Admissions staffs will work directly with you to identify the best options that work for you and your unique situation.

Once your application is reviewed, we make every effort to notify you of our decision within two to four weeks.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Admissions Procedures

The DPT program is offered in a 4+3 year and 3+3 year curricular format. Prospective students with an earned bachelor’s degree from Alvernia or another four-year accredited institution are welcome to apply to the 4+3 year format. Transfer students are welcome to apply as well, following the policy and procedures as outlined below.

The 3+3 year format enables Alvernia students who are admitted into 1 of 4 majors (Biochemistry, Biology, Healthcare Science, or Psychology) to follow a curricular plan in that major with the intention to be admitted to the DPT program in his/her senior year, upon completion of all requirements.

Interested students should contact the Associate Director of Admissions for Graduate Education, who may refer the potential applicant to the Chairperson of the DPT Admissions Committee or Department Chair.
 

Admission Requirements

DPT Program admission requirement and the admissions procedures can be found at alvernia.edu/academics/graduate-programs/dpt-doctor-physical-therapy/dpt-admission-requirements.

Curriculum

Fall - Semester 1 (18 credits)

• DPT 500 Gross Anatomy & Histology 5
• DPT 503 Applied Physiology for Physical Therapy 5
• DPT 504 Practice Management I 3
• DPT 508 Physical Therapy Procedures I 4
• DPT 522 Foundations of Clinical Practice 1

 
Spring - Semester 2 (19 credits)

• DPT 502 Kinesiology 4
• DPT 509 Foundations of Clinical Exam & Evaluation 4
• DPT 516 Musculoskeletal PT Practice I 3
• DPT 520 Neuromuscular PT Practice I 3
• DPT 528 Cardiopulmonary PT Practice I 3
• DPT 512 Critical Inquiry I 1
• DPT 523 Clinical Practice I 1

 
Summer - Semester 3 (14 credits)

• DPT 505 Practice Management II 3
• DPT 513 Critical Inquiry II 3
• DPT 524 Clinical Practice II 6
• DPT 530 Pharmacological Management for PT Practice 2

 
Fall - Semester 4 (15 credits)

• DPT 616 Musculoskeletal PT Practice II 4
• DPT 620 Neuromuscular PT Practice II 4
• DPT 629 Cardiopulmonary PT Practice II 4
• DPT 622 Clinical Practice III 2
• DPT 613 Critical Inquiry III 1

 
Spring - Semester 5 (17 credits)

• DPT 608 Physical Therapy Procedures II 4
• DPT 617 Musculoskeletal PT Practice III 4
• DPT 621 Neuromuscular PT Practice III 4
• DPT 631 Multiple Systems Influence within PT Practice 4
• DPT 614 Critical Inquiry IV 1

 
Summer - Semester 6 (14 credits)

• DPT 604 Practice Management III 3
• DPT 624 Clinical Practice IV 6
• DPT 632 PT Practice through the Lifespan 4
• DPT 713 Critical Inquiry V 1

 
Fall - Semester 7 (16/17 credits)

• DPT 710 Comprehensive Clinical Practice 4
• DPT 724 Clinical Practice V (October - January) 8
• DPT 806/890/805 Elective 2
• DPT 700 International Service Learning Experience [1]
• DPT 714 Critical Inquiry VI 2

 
Spring - Semester 8 (9 credits)

• DPT 725 Clinical Practice VI (January - April) 8
• DPT 810 Comprehensive Examination 1

 

Total Program Credits: 121

Accreditation Statements

• Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Alvernia University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 610-568-1546 or email christopher.wise@alvernia.edu.
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Opportunities for interprofessional educational experiences with students from other programs — including occupational therapy, nursing, athletic training and medical imaging — provide students with an appreciation for the unique contribution of each discipline within the healthcare team. Active community engagement and service learning through various initiatives in the nearby city of Reading enables students to appreciate their role within the community and their responsibility to use their skills in the service of others.

 

DPT students are required to participate in 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences (internships). These experiences provide context for learning and develop students who demonstrate evidence-based clinical performance.

 

Students participate in real-world learning experiences featured in the program’s “clinic without walls” model, providing physical therapy care under the direction of licensed physical therapists for community members in a variety of formats. Such experiences include:

 

• providing PT care during classroom laboratory experiences
• providing wellness-related services through collaboration between the DPT Program and other organizations such as Reading Housing Authority, Tower Health (Rise and Shine and Rock Steady Boxing), Walk with Ease and Matter of Balance
• providing PT care at the DPT student-managed Health & Wellness Center at Liggett Avenue, which is located at the Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) in the Oakbrook section of Reading
• community/university service and advocacy events like the BCHC Community Health Fair, Legislative Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, and Interprofessional education experiences with nursing and athletic Training.

Career Outlook

After earning your DPT degree, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

 

• Orthopedic outpatient clinics
• Acute care hospital-based facilities
• Acute and sub-acute rehabilitation hospitals
• Sports medicine centers
• Research institutions
• Long-term care facilities
• Pediatric facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Transitional care units
• School-based facilities
• Home health care

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $95,620.

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