Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Our vision is to expand access to physical therapy services that empower individuals and communities.

Program Mission

Our program’s mission is to 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 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

Building upon a liberal arts foundation, this graduate program develops students into competent physical therapy providers by emphasizing core values and essential characteristics, consistent with the mission of the program. Our program goals are to:

1. Prepare physical therapists to optimize human movement among diverse populations, conditions and environments.

2. Cultivate ethical critical thinkers who prioritize patient-centered care.

3. Engage in service to support the needs of our profession, communities, and society.

4. Foster clinical excellence, professionalism, and innovations that improve healthcare outcomes.

5. Inspire physical therapy professionals to be leaders who transform healthcare.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

To achieve these goals, students must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge, clinical skills, and professional mindfulness expected of competent physical therapists while embodying Walsh University's Judeo-Christian values. The following outcomes reflect these expectations:

The Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) define essential capabilities that students must demonstrate for entry-level physical therapy practice. The following PSLOs establish the foundational expectations for all Walsh University Doctor of Physical Therapy students at the time of graduation:

1. Demonstrate entry-level competency in all components of the patient/client management model within the physical therapy scope of practice.

2. Apply competent critical thinking and ethical clinical reasoning skills consistent with professional physical therapy practice.

3. Serve the program, profession, local communities or broader society to improve health, wellness and/or professional practice.

4. Be proficient in analyzing, evaluating and synthesizing information to make sound clinical and professional practice decisions.

5. Use knowledge, skills and behaviors consistent with professional physical therapy practice to deliver quality clinical care.

6. Demonstrate effective oral, written and inter/ intra professional communication skills related to patient/client care, health care education and professional advancement.

Registration Procedures

Students admitted to the program must register electronically through the Cavalier Center. Information about first-semester registration will be sent to students’ Walsh email accounts.

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 professional experience courses; and

3. Students must receive a grade of B- or higher in every class.

The Physical Therapy Program utilizes an ongoing assessment framework that combines formative and summative evaluations to support student success and maintain academic integrity. This comprehensive approach, detailed in the Program Student Handbook, ensures students receive regular feedback about their academic standing and progression.

As stewards of the physical therapy profession, our faculty are committed to both student development and public safety. This dual commitment requires upholding rigorous standards of academic achievement, clinical excellence, and professional conduct.

Students who fall below program standards in any area will enter a support process that may include:

· Performance improvement planning

· Academic advising

· Modified progression timelines

If performance standards are not met following appropriate support and intervention, students may face probation or dismissal from the program as outlined in the Program Student Handbook.

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 and Capstone Project Advising

Upon entry into the Physical Therapy Program, each student is assigned an academic advisor who provides guidance and support to help ensure academic success. Students are highly encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor to facilitate communication and progression through the curriculum.

For the Evidence-Based Capstone Project, students work in collaborative groups under the mentorship of a faculty member who may differ from their academic advisor. This arrangement ensures students receive specialized guidance aligned with their project focus. Projects culminate in various forms of professional dissemination, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional conferences, or presentations to faculty and clinical site administrators.

If a change in academic or capstone advisor is needed, the student and current advisor should present their request to the Program Director.

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 2 routes of admission into the graduate program in Physical Therapy. All qualified students applying to our program are required to successfully complete an interview prior to being accepted. 

1. Traditional Entry

Traditional entry involves a 4+3 model in which the student completes an undergraduate degree prior to entry into the graduate program in Physical Therapy.

Traditional Entry Requirements for Admission 

• 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):

• Adequate gross and fine motor ability for safe performance of patient evaluation and treatment procedures
• Adequate visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic senses for obtaining accurate evaluative and investigative findings
• Ability to think critically and problem solve
• Ability to communicate effectively (oral, nonverbal, and written)
• Ability to organize and effectively use time
• Adaptability to perform tasks with persons from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings
• The Physical Therapy Student Manual provides more details on additional requirements including physical examination, immunization, background check and substance abuse information. 

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, direct freshman entry program is a 3 + 3 model, available to a limited number of graduating high school seniors who can enroll in Walsh University's Division of Mathematics and Sciences Biology Pre-PT Early Assurance major or the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences 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 28 or SAT score of 1200 (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 or Exercise Science Pre-Physical Therapy major
• Must complete pre-requisites 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
• Must achieve a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 304 (total) or higher (verbal & quantitative)
• Must meet the requirements of DPT admissions (with the exception of a PTCAS application) as follows:
   • A letter of recommendation from an undergraduate PT 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
• Must document 30 hours of clinical observation in 2 different Physical Therapy settings, 1 inpatient and 1 outpatient (a minimum of 10 hours in each setting)
• Must complete 8 of 11 prerequisites to qualify for an interview
• Must successfully complete an interview with a member of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee prior to matriculation into the graduate program

Please contact the undergraduate admission office regarding Early Assurance at 1-800-362-9846.

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.