Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The doctor of physical therapy curriculum at Sacred Heart emphasizes clinical decision-making, self-directed learning, and hands-on, real-world experience. Students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a successful career.

Why Earn Your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Sacred Heart?

You’ll graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to help people regain mobility and health.

As a physical therapist, you will use your skills and expertise to work with patients to optimize movement, promote health and wellness, mitigate the progression of impairments, and prevent additional disability.

The doctor of physical therapy curriculum is organized around carefully designed patient or professional practice problems that students study, discuss, and research in small groups. As a result, students graduate with the experience, confidence and communication skills needed for a successful career.

In the Physical Therapy doctoral program, you will also:

• Work closely with 16 exceptional faculty members who are dedicated to nurturing skilled graduates prepared to serve others. In aggregate our faculty members have earned 11 academic doctorates, 8 clinical doctorates, 8 board certifications from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (orthopedic, neurological, and geriatric), and lymphedema therapist certification.
• Learn from exceptional local clinicians and Orthopedic Residents serving as facilitators in the small group tutorials and labs
• Gain integrated clinical experience during didactic semesters, where you are paired with expert physical therapists from the local community for in-depth, hands-on training and numerous patient volunteers who participate in classroom and lab activities
• Participate in national and international full-time clinical education experiences with partner health care facilities that provide PT services across the full spectrum of PT practice
• Choose a required elective course from an advanced physical therapy practice area or related area that will enhance your career
• Complete a capstone research project (PT 760 and PT 861) and a community practice project (PT 845) that makes a positive impact on patient care in the local community. Many of these projects are submitted for publication or presentation
• Participate in local and international service learning experiences that foster social responsibility and service to others
• Use state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories that optimize your learning
• Study at a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited program that has been in continuous good standing since its inception
• Study at a program with outstanding Student Outcomes

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; or website. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, call 203-396-8078 or email petrosinoc@sacredheart.edu.

2023-2024 SHU DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet

The Commissioner on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education requires all Doctor of Physical Therapy programs to provide the public with current, accurate, reliable and easily available information about the cost of attendance. The 2023-2024 SHU DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet is provided for review. Student debt data was gathered by direct survey of the DPT students.

Program Duration

The DPT is a clinical doctoral degree and is the entry-level degree for professional practice. The program is three years in length, including eight to 10 weeks of full-time clinical work in each of the summers between the first and second years.‌

Dual Degree Options

The 3+3 Accelerated or 4+3 Undergraduate Pathway to DPT options allow incoming freshmen the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree and a doctorate graduate degree in physical therapy in either six or seven years.

Lauren Foster Petisce Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy

To be eligible for the Lauren Foster Petisce Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Physical Therapy, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Incoming female graduate student enrolled full-time in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
• Demonstrated high academic achievement and financial need.
• Priority consideration will be given to candidates that completed their undergraduate education at Sacred Heart University in a 3+3 or 4+3 track and have been a member of an NCAA Division I sports team

More Information

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