Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Expand access to physical therapy services that empower individuals and communities.

Program Mission

Develop physical therapy professionals who are leaders in service and contemporary care through the integration of scientific knowledge, mindful reflection, and humanistic values grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Program Philosophy

The philosophy of Walsh University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program believes that to be a steward within today's healthcare environment, one must cultivate reflective, collaborative practice and exemplary professional behaviors. We foster leadership, service, and advocacy through mentorship and altruistic endeavors. Our program prepares graduates to manage movement dysfunction across the lifespan in diverse community settings through integrative experiences that transform learners into autonomous practitioners.

Program Goals

Aligned with Walsh University's core values of community, excellence, integrity, service, and faith, the program develops competent physical therapists through specific goals and Program Student Learning Outcomes.

• Goal 1: Prepare physical therapists to optimize human movement among diverse populations, conditions, and environments.
• Goal 2: Cultivate ethical critical thinkers who prioritize patient-centered care.
• Goal 3: Engage in service to support the needs of our profession, communities, and society.
• Goal 4: Foster clinical excellence, professionalism, and innovations that improve healthcare outcomes.  
• Goal 5: Inspire physical therapy professionals to be leaders who transform healthcare.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate entry-level competency in all components of the patient/client management model within the physical therapy scope of practice. (Aligns with Program Goal 1)
• Apply competent critical thinking and ethical clinical reasoning skills consistent with professional physical therapy practice. (Aligns with Program Goal 2)
• Serve the program, profession, local communities, or broader society to improve health, wellness, and/or professional practice. (Aligns with Program Goal 3)
• Be proficient in analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information to make sound clinical and professional practice decisions. (Aligns with Program Goal 4)
• Use knowledge, skills, and behaviors consistent with professional physical therapy practice to deliver quality clinical care. (Aligns with Program Goal 4)
• Demonstrate effective oral, written, and inter/ intra professional communication skills related to patient/client care, health care education, and professional advancement. (Aligns with Program Goal 5)

Registration Procedures

Students fully admitted to the program are required to electronically through the Cavalier Center.

Academic Standards

The Physical Therapy Program has three primary academic standards:

1. Students must maintain a B (3.0) overall GPA throughout matriculation;
2. Student must receive a satisfactory/pass grade in the profession experience courses; and
3. Students must receive a course grade of B- or higher in every class

The Physical Therapy Program follows the Student Retention Policy outlined in the Program Student Handbook, which describes a stepped process of formative and summative assessment to keep students informed of their academic standing and program status.

As gatekeepers for the profession, Physical Therapy faculty balance dual responsibilities: facilitating student success while ensuring public safety through maintained standards of professional, clinical, and academic competency. Students who fail to meet one or more primary academic standards may receive a warning and/or be placed on probation with appropriate remediation. Failure to complete probation conditions may result in dismissal from the program.

Appeals

The Physical Therapy Program adheres to the University guidelines for the appeal process as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.

Withdrawal

The Physical Therapy Program follows a structured, sequential curriculum where each course builds upon previous coursework. While Walsh University permits course-by-course withdrawal in other programs, the integrated nature of physical therapy education requires students to complete all courses in sequence.

Students may request a leave of absence from the program for medical or personal circumstances. These requests are handled according to the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures, which provide detailed guidance on leaves of absence and program withdrawals.

Program dismissal is permanent and students who are dismissed are not eligible for readmission to the Physical Therapy Program.

Academic/Research Advising

Academic and Professional Behavior Advising

The program uses an advising process to support students' academic and professional development. Upon entry, each student is assigned an academic advisor who provides guidance to ensure program success. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor to facilitate communication and smooth progression through the curriculum.

Academic Standards

Academic issues pertain to course concerns assessed through graded assignments using the program's grading system, or ungraded assignments that are required course components.

Professional Behavior Standards

As a DPT student, you must maintain high standards of professional behavior in all settings, including classrooms, clinical environments, community interactions, and electronic communications (email and social media). These behaviors are essential competencies for student physical therapists and are mandatory throughout the program. Professional behavior issues may also be considered academic issues.

Student Membership in Professional Organizations

The physical therapy profession is supported by national organizations that offer student memberships. Enrolled students are encouraged to visit the association websites for membership information.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) serves as the primary professional organization, establishing standards and guidelines for physical therapy practice. Through APTA membership, students gain access to essential professional resources, publications, and educational materials that enhance their learning experience and professional development. Students are encouraged to join and explore the many specialty Academies and Sections that complement the APTA.

The American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT) focuses on advancing diversity in the profession and supporting minority students pursuing careers in physical therapy. AAPT's mission emphasizes developing healthcare leaders who will provide innovative care to underserved communities.

ROUTES OF ADMISSION

There are three pathways for admission into the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. All qualified applicants must successfully complete an interview before being accepted into the program. 

1. Traditional Entry

Traditional entry, where a student first completes an undergraduate degree before beginning the graduate program in physical therapy. 

• B.S. or B.A. degree with an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 or greater from an accredited institution
  Students who are in their senior year of completing their undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for admission
• Application to PTCAS.org
  Our program utilizes the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS), endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
• Completion of course prerequisites with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the following:
  Biology (2 semesters, plus lab) • 8 semester hours
  Chemistry (2 semesters, plus lab) • 8 semester hours
  Physics (2 semesters, plus lab) • 8 semester hours
  Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters) • 8 semester hours
  Psychology (1 semesters) • 3 semester hours
  Statistics (1 semester) • 3 semester hours
  Exercise Physiology (1 semester) • 3 semester hours
• Transcripts from all former institutions attended must be submitted
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken with scores reported (quantitative, verbal, analytical writing)
• Three letters of recommendation (one academic; one professional (PT); one may be professional, academic or an athletic coach).  Supplemental recommendation forms can be requested from Graduate Admissions.
• 30 observation hours of a licensed Physical Therapist in 2 distinct practice settings (examples: outpatient and inpatient, inpatient and pediatrics)
• Virtual interview (by invitation only)
• TOEFL score (international students only)

Additional Requirements

Beyond the stated admission requirements, students matriculating in the professional entry program in Physical Therapy must have (with or without reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act):

• Motor Skills: Sufficient gross and fine motor abilities to provide safe and effective patient care, including physical examinations, therapeutic interventions, and handling of equipment and assistive devices.
• Sensory Abilities: Functional use of visual, auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive senses to accurately observe, assess, and monitor patient conditions and responses.
• Cognitive Function: Capacity for critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and sound judgment to effectively evaluate information and solve problems in dynamic healthcare settings.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively—verbally, nonverbally, and in writing—with patients, families, faculty, and members of the healthcare team.
• Organizational and Time Management Skills: Ability to prioritize, organize, and execute tasks efficiently and reliably under time constraints.
• Interpersonal Skills: Capacity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and adapt to various clinical and cultural environments with professionalism and respect.

Additional Prerequisite Course Information

An applicant may major in any undergraduate area, but must successfully complete course prerequisites with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Prerequisite courses must be a grade of C or higher to be accepted.  Prerequisites courses taken at 4 year institutions (listed for science majors) are preferred. Prerequisites should be taken within the past 7 years.

We evaluate prerequisite courses taken at other institutions through review of course syllabi. The requirements listed above represent semester credit hours. If course work was designated as quarter credit hours, conversion of quarter credits to semester credits is necessary to ensure fulfillment of requirements.  In order to convert quarter hours to semester hours, divide the quarter hours by 1.5. (Example: 4 QH/1.5 = 2.6 semester hours).

To begin the application process, review our admissions process and then refer to PTCAS.org to begin.

Please contact Graduate Admissions, regarding traditional entry and any other questions about the admissions process.  

2. Early Assurance

The Early Assurance Program is a 3 + 3 model, available to a limited number of graduating high school seniors who can enroll in Walsh University's Biology Pre-PT Early Assurance major or the Exercise Science Pre-PT Early Assurance major. The students in either program will complete 3 years of undergraduate curriculum at Walsh University and finalize their undergraduate degree during their first year of graduate school (as part of the 3 year professional DPT program).The Early Assurance direct freshman entry program is competitive and allows for automatic acceptance into the DPT program upon completion of specified milestones during one’s matriculation as an undergraduate student within the University. The following criteria must be met prior to submitting an application to the early assurance program.

Prior to attending Walsh University:

• High school GPA of 3.75 or higher
• Minimum ACT score of 26 or SAT score of 1100 (critical reading and math, not including writing)
• Successfully complete a standardized interview with faculty members of the Physical Therapy Program

Once at Walsh University:

• Must be enrolled in the Biology Pre-Physical Therapy major
• Must complete prerequisites for the program with a 3.5 GPA or higher
• Must complete a minimum of 3 academic years of undergraduate education at Walsh University
• Must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher during their undergraduate curriculum

3. Early Traditional Admission

The Early Traditional Admission process Program is available to current Walsh University undergraduate students seeing traditional entry into the DPT program and wishing to secure acceptance prior to the summer before their senior year. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Walsh Univeristy undergraduate student in tehir junior year
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Complete prerequisite coursework with a GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Successfully complete at least 7 out of 11 prerequisite courses with a C or better
• Must meet the requirements of DPT admissions (with the exception of the PTCAS application) as follows:
  • A total of three recommendations
  • A letter of recommendation from an undergraduate advisor
  • A letter of recommendation from a licensed Physical Therapist
  • A letter of recommendation from an undergraduate faculty member familiar with the student's academic performance
  • 30 observation hours of a licensed Physical Therapist in 2 distinct practice settings (examples: outpatient and inpatient, inpatient and pediatrics)
  • Successfully complete an interview with DPT faculty members. This interview sessio is only for Early Traditional Admission candidates and will occur outside of the regular interview sessions

ELIGIBILITY

All students applying for the Physical Therapy Program should be aware that prior criminal convictions could affect the student’s ability to obtain a license to practice in the State of Ohio and in other legal jurisdictions (states, districts and territories) in the United States upon graduation from the program. It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether he or she is eligible for licensure as a physical therapist.