Student Outcomes
The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) requires that each physical therapy education program makes available to the public certain information about student outcomes in their respective program. In compliance with this requirement, Sacred Heart University provides the following student outcome data.
Physical Therapy Program Curriculum Map: AY2023-2024
DPT Curriculum Map maps the DPT Programs student learning outcomes and identifies the specific courses and course learning outcomes that meet each outcome. Methods of assessing these student learning outcomes are also mapped to each learning outcome.
Applicant Data
The SHU DPT Program receives applications for admission from both internal and external applicants. Refer to the table below which illustrates the number of applicants compared with the number of students who matriculated into the DPT Program.
| Year | SHU Internal Applicants |
SHU Internal Applicants Accepted |
SHU Internal Applicants Enrolled in DPT Program |
External Applicants |
External Applicants Accepted |
External Applicants Enrolled in DPT Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52 | 48 | 41 | 149 | 57 | 21 |
| 2025 | 66 | 51 | 33 | 184 | 99 | 26 |
Graduation Rate
- 2023: 94%
- 2024: 90%
- 2025 Average: 95%
National Physical Therapy Examination Pass Rate (SHU and National Average)
| Year | SHU Ultimate Pass Rate | National Ultimate Pass Rate | SHU First Time Pass Rate | National First Time Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100% | 98.6% | 88.5% | 84.8% |
| 2024 | 98.6% | 97.5% | 90.1% | 85.2% |
| 2025 Average | 95.2% | 93% | 91.9% | 86.6% |
Employment Rate of Those Eligible at 12 Months Post-Graduation
SHU based on survey
- 2022: 100% of respondents
- 2023: 100% of respondents
- 2024: 100% of respondents
- 2022-2024 Average: 100%
Data is accurate as of December 2, 2025
Expected Student Outcomes
Students who graduate from the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University will:
- Practice in a manner consistent with established legal and professional standards and ethical guidelines.
- Apply clinical-decision making skills to effectively develop and implement a clinical examination, physical therapy diagnosis, plan of care and prognosis.
- Apply self-directed, life-long learning principles from the underpinnings of problem-based learning to anticipate, adapt and respond to changes in the healthcare delivery system.
- Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate evidence to facilitate best patient outcomes by effective use of the professional literature and current information technologies.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers, other disciplines and the community in ways that are congruent with situational needs.
- Adapt delivery of physical therapy services with consideration for patients’ differences, values, preferences and needs.
- Participate in inter-professional activities for the benefit of patients, families and community.