Physical Therapy

Freshmen accepted to the Physical Therapy Program are invited to initiate a plan of study in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in Health Science.* The Health Science Degree provides foundational training in the areas of kinesiology, exercise physiology, exercise prescription, nutrition, and wellness that are necessary to becoming an outstanding Physical Therapist.  The Health Sciences curriculum exposes Doctor of Physical Therapy students to interdisciplinary Education of various Health-Related fields including Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Global Health, Assistive Technology, and Healthcare Ethics in preparation to meet contemporary national and international healthcare needs and demands.  Students complete fundamental science coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, and Statistics with flexibility to shape their general education requirements within the (Bridges Common Learning Experience).

Students who have attained pre-requisite benchmarks (including an overall and pre-requisite GPA of 3.0) may begin their studies in the Professional Phase of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the conclusion of their 3rd year of study.  During the 4th year of study students engage in courses that advance knowledge of Human Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Physiology.  These courses conclude the requirements for completion of the Bachelor of Science in Health Science Degree and mark the beginning of their Professional Phase studies specific to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.  After a rigorous plan of study in the clinical sciences of Physical Therapy, students will receive the respected and distinguishable Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree.

Freshmen Admission Health Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

*An individualized undergraduate plan of study in another discipline (such as Biology or Psychology) may be substituted for the Health Science Curriculum with Department Chair approval.

Admission

The Office of Admissions will review your application for freshman admission based on the following guidelines:

• A GPA of 3.0 or better
• Achieved an ACT score of 24 or an SAT score (Math + Verbal) of 1170 or better. Please be advised that we are test-optional for the current application cycle (students who will start in fall 2021).
• Documentation of shadowing, volunteer, or paid experience in physical therapy (40 hours to be completed before the start of the freshman year).
• Graduate of an approved secondary school
• Eight units of math and science
  • • • Algebra I,
      • Algebra II
      • Geometry
      • Trigonometry
      • Calculus - recommended but not required
      • General Science
      • Biology
      • Chemistry
      • Physics - recommended but not required

  • If you have not completed four years of high school, you must submit a High School Equivalency Diploma issued by their state department of education.

    Students who do well in the Physical Therapy program are typically strong in the sciences. If you do not enjoy the sciences and/or have not performed well in the sciences academically, Physical Therapy may not be the best match for you.

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    Matriculation into the professional phase

    To begin the professional phase (Year 4), you must meet these requirements:

    • Achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of spring semester Year 3
    • Achieve 3.0 cumulative GPA in pre-requisite course work, with no less than C grade in all prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses are:
      
      • Biology I and II
      • Chemistry I and II
      • Physics I and II
      • Introduction to Biostatistics
      • Introduction to Psychology
      • Anatomy & Physiology I and II
    • Completion of 100 hours of volunteer, paid or shadowing hours with a licensed PT (40 hours prior to admission are counted toward this 100 hours).
    • Volunteer/shadowing must be evenly divided between two different areas of physical therapy practice
    • Verification of all Pre-Health Requirements
      
      • Current physical examination
      • Verification of Health Insurance
      • CPR certification
      • Undergraduate Admission Curriculum

    Application for Admission

• Prospective undergraduate transfer students should have graduated from an approved secondary school
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Achieved an SAT score (Math + Verbal) of 1170 or better (if taken in 2016 or later); 1100 or better (if taken prior to 2016) or a composite ACT of 24 or better.
• Documentation of forty (40) of shadowing, volunteer, or paid experience in physical therapy
• Completion of 100 hours of shadowing, volunteer or paid experience in two different physical therapy setting is required prior to admission into the professional phase.
• Pre-requisite Course Work with GPA of 3.0 or higher with no less than "C" grade in all pre-requisite course by the end of year three (3) which includes: two (2) courses with labs in biology, chemistry, and physics as well as one course in anatomy with lab and one course in physiology with lab. Alternatively, a two course sequence in anatomy & physiology is acceptable (these course must be equivalent to those taken by science majors and must be taken at a four-year degree-granting institution); three (3) credits in introductions to biostatistics/statistics; three credits (3) or more in psychology.
• Applicants who have not completed four years of high school must submit a High School Equivalency Diploma issued by their state department of education

The curriculum for transfer students will vary depending on previous coursework completed. Our best approximation is the Freshmen Admission Curriculum.

• Undergraduate Transfer Curriculum
• Admission instructions for transfer students

The curriculum is three (3) years in duration. At the end of your third year, you will graduate with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). The Rangos School of Health Sciences will review your application based on the following guidelines:

• Undergraduate degree from a four-year, degree-granting institution
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• GRE score of 303 or higher. GRE scores must be from last 5 years.
• Pre-requisites Course work with a GPA of 3.0 or higher with no less than a "C" grade in all prerequisite courses which includes: Two courses with labs in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics; Three (3) credits in Introduction to Biostatistics/Statistics; Three (3) credits or more in Psychology. A two course sequence (six [6] credits) in Anatomy & Physiology with labs. All prerequisite courses must be taken at a four year, degree granting institution.
• Documentation of 100 hours of volunteer, paid or shadowing hours with a licensed PT. Volunteering/shadowing must be evenly divided between at least two different areas of physical therapy practice
• Three professional references (references will not be accepted from a family member, friend, or PTA)

If offered admission, the following will also be required:

• CPR certification (adult, infant, and child)
• Verification of all Pre-Clinical Health Requirements
• Physical Exam
• Verification of Health Insurance

Admission to the professional program as a graduate student is limited. Typically, we have between five and fifteen seats available for this pathway to admission. Consequently, for you to compete well for one of these seats you should probably have higher than the minimum criteria mentioned above. In particular, students who are competitive for these seats will have:

• GPA at 3.5 or higher
• GPA for prerequisite courses of 3.5 or higher
• GRE at 308 or higher. GRE scores must be from last 5 years.

Although space is limited for this admission pathway, we very much value our graduate students as an integral part of the class and strongly encourage qualified applicants to apply.

To apply for graduate admission, please go to Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service: www.ptcas.org

You must also complete a short, free Duquesne University supplemental application to be considered.

At Duquesne University, the SUCCESS of our students is the true measure of our Physical Therapy Program. The rigor of the program produces graduates who are well prepared to excel on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) that grants licensure to practice Physical Therapy. The 2021-2022 two year NPTE Ultimate Pass Rate* is 87.9% for the graduates of the Duquesne University Physical Therapy Program.

First Time and Ultimate Pass Rate

*Not all NPTE attempts reported.

Physical Therapy is a profession that is very rewarding. Our graduates are accomplished clinicians that are recognized for their skills, compassion, and empathy. These attributes are attractive to employers who seek to employ Physical Therapists from Duquesne University. The 2020-2021 two year Employment/Job Placement rate is 100% for graduates of the Duquesne University Physical Therapy Program.

*Employment data will be updated as it becomes available. 

The rigors of the Physical Therapy program are well known. The curriculum is challenging and designed to for the student to ultimately achieve licensure . The 2021-2022 two year Graduation Rate is 94.3% from the professional phase of the program.

At the completion of the doctoral program in Physical Therapy the student will:

1. Practice autonomously in a competent, safe, ethical, legal, reflective and professional manner.
2. Use evidence-based principles and clinical reasoning skills to be autonomous practitioners who determine the physical therapy diagnosis of, and direct the prevention of and interventions for impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions or changes in health status.
3. Perform effective patient examination.
4. Perform effective patient evaluation.
5. Determine correct diagnoses.
6. Develop a comprehensive physical therapy plan of care.
7. Provide physical therapy interventions to achieve patient goals.
8. Utilize appropriate outcome measures.
9. Integrate prevention, health education, and wellness initiatives.
10. Demonstrate effective written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills
11. Provide healthcare education to patients, clients, families, peers, and society, using culturally appropriate teaching methods.
12. Demonstrate effective practice management.
13. Demonstrate social responsibility and altruism.
14. Demonstrate professional development, service and advocacy.
15. Apply the principles of the basic human sciences to clinical practice.
16. Apply principles of pharmacology to physical therapy practice.
17. Apply principles of medical and clinical science to physical therapy practice.