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Physical Therapy, Doctor of

Saint Louis University's program in physical therapy offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree.

There are three paths of entry into the SLU program.

  • Early-assurance, freshman-entry: The early-assurance pathway is a six-year curriculum, including two summers. Students admitted receive a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - Physical Therapy (B.S.E.S.-P.T.) concentration after successfully completing the first four years of coursework, and the D.P.T. degree after completing the additional two post-baccalaureate years.Ìý

  • Early-assurance, undergraduate transfer: The undergraduate transfer pathway allows students to transfer into the program as an undergraduate student from within or outside of Saint Louis University.Ìý

  • Post-baccalaureate: The post-baccalaureate pathway allows students who have already earned an undergraduate bachelor's degree to enter as a professional-phase student for three years of graduate coursework, including two summers.

Physical therapists work with people across the lifespan to optimize movement and improve health. Physical therapists are responsible for examining and evaluating patients/clients, the development and implementation of intervention programs, patient education and supervising other health care practitioners. In addition to patient care, physical therapists may also serve as administrators, teachers, researchers and consultants.

Program Financial Fact Sheet

Program Highlights

Advantages of earning a D.P.T. at SLU include:

  • Direct admission to the program as a freshman
    • Undergraduate transfer and post-baccalaureate transfer are both possible
  • Opportunities to pursue additional curricular goals such as minors, including interprofessional education, certificates and study abroad programs
  • Physical therapy pro bono clinic providing integrated curricular and volunteer opportunities for students while serving people from the local community
  • Clinical education placements across diverse settings and geographic locations
  • Highly qualified and accessible faculty
  • State-of-the-art laboratories and clinical equipment

Curriculum Overview

É«ËÑÊÓƵ PT early-assurance curriculum is divided into pre-professional and professional phases. Progression to the professional phase of the program provides a seamless entry from foundational coursework to practical labs and clinical experiences.

Once accepted into the program, a student progresses through the entire program without needing to reapply or take a graduate entrance exam, provided the student meets the program's academic and professional behavior standards.

During the professional phase, students enroll in coursework specific to the physical therapy profession and complete 38 weeks of full-time clinical experiences. Students begin their clinical experiences in the spring of year four with ¶Ù±Ê°ÕÌý5290 Skills Practicum (0-1 cr).

Elective courses in the physical therapy curriculum and clinical exposure help students gain advanced knowledge and skills in specialty areas. In addition to the PT curriculum, undergraduate students are required to complete a minor of their choosing and a concentration in Interprofessional Education (IPE).

Upon graduation, students must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to obtain a license to practice physical therapy.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

É«ËÑÊÓƵ program in physical therapy is affiliated with more than 250 clinical sites locally, nationally and internationally.

The faculty and clinical staff provide clinical services at a variety of locations including the pro bono clinics, Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Clinic at Student Health, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, consultative services for senior Jesuits and the SLUCare Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic.

Careers

Graduates from É«ËÑÊÓƵ PT program enjoy employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term rehabilitation facilities, collegiate and professional sports, schools, patient homes and fitness centers.

Physical therapists typically work in full-time positions and receive benefits. The 2022 median annual wage of physical therapists was $97,720 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specific salary depends on location and experience level.

Graduates of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program report a 100% employment rate within the profession within one year of graduation.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Applicants

Every application to the program in Physical Therapy for admission is reviewed on an individual basis.ÌýÌý

For the freshman-entry admission, the best qualified high school seniors are selected from the application pool with a required minimum high school GPA of 3.2 on a 4.00 scale, with an emphasis on math and science.

The following high school courses are required for admission:

  • One year of biology and one year of chemistry

  • College prep courses equivalent to algebra, geometry, advanced algebra and/or trigonometry.

Strong applicants will have:

  • Four years of math, including a course equivalent to pre-calculus

  • Four years of science, including physics and anatomy/physiology

  • Activities demonstrating leadership and community service

  • An interest in the profession of physical therapy as demonstrated through observation, school activities, or personal experience

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

The deadline for completed physical therapy applications and financial aid consideration for all freshmen applicants is Dec. 1.
Ìý

Transfer Applicants

General Information

As space allows, students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as internal change major (enrolled in another program at SLU) or external (enrolled at another college or university) transfer students.

Students must apply by October 1 to be considered for spring admission or March 1 for fall admission.Ìý

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in required science coursework
  • Completion of a minimum of 1 required science course/sequence as listed below:
    • BIOLÌý1240 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution (3 cr) and BIOLÌý1245 Principles of Biology I Laboratory (1 cr)
    • BIOLÌý1260 General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter (3 cr) and BIOLÌý1265 Principles of Biology II Laboratory (1 cr)
    • CHEMÌý1080 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture (3 cr) and CHEMÌý1085 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab (1 cr)
    • CHEMÌý1480 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture (3 cr) and CHEMÌý1485 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab (1 cr)
    • PHYSÌý1220 General Physics I (3 cr)Ìýand PHYSÌý1235 General Physics I Lab (1 cr)
    • PHYSÌý1240 General Physics II (3 cr)Ìýand PHYSÌý1255 General Physics II Lab (1 cr)
    • ANATÌý1000 Basic Human Anatomy (3 cr)
    • PPYÌý2540 Human Physiology (4 cr)
    • EXSCÌý3230 Exercise Physiology (3 cr)
  • In addition to the application, applicants must submit a personal statement describing interest in physical therapy as a profession. Internal transfer students will submit the personal statement to the academic advisor for Physical Therapy. External transfer applicants will submit the personal statement to transfer@slu.edu.
  • Internal transfer students who are academically eligible meet with the physical therapy academic advisor to review applicant qualifications and the application process. Qualified applicants who submit paperwork to change their major prior to the deadline will be reviewed by the program in Physical Therapy admissions committee.
  • External transfer students can review course equivalency information here.Ìý

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Post-Baccalaureate Applicants

General Information

As space allows, students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as a post-baccalaureate student.

Students must apply by November 1 to be considered for summer admission. Classes start mid-May.

Application Requirements

  • Official transcript(s)
  • Personal statement describing interest in physical therapy as a profession
  • Service and leadership experiences
  • Recommendation letter

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 2.7 GPA in required science coursework
  • All previous coursework must have been completed within the last 10 years
  • D or F grades for prerequisites are not accepted
  • At the time of application, no more than 2 prerequisite courses may be outstanding. The full list of prerequisites (and credits) are below:
    • General Biology with a lab or Animal Biology with a lab (4)*

    • Second Biology with a lab (4)* Not Botany

    • Chemistry I with lab (4)*
    • Chemistry II with lab (4)*
    • Physics I with lab (4)*
    • Physics II with lab (4)*
    • Human Anatomy (3)*
    • Human Physiology (4)*
    • Exercise Physiology (3)*
    • General Psychology (3)
    • Second Psychology (3)
    • Statistics (3)

NOTE: Anatomy and Physiology I* & II* can be taken in place of Human Physiology and Basic Human Anatomy.

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. *Included in science GPA calculation.Ìý

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

  • You must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

TuitionÌý

Tuition/Fee Per Semester Per Credit
Doctor of Physical Therapy (12 or more credits) $23,610
Doctor of Physical Therapy (less than 12 credits) $1,650

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships:ÌýAwarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers scholarships to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.
  • Financial Aid:ÌýProvided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online atÌý.

Accreditation

The Program in Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE).

Commission on Accreditation in Physical TherapyÌý(CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703-706-3245
accreditation@apta.org

If you need to contact É«ËÑÊÓƵ program directly, please call 314-977-8505 or email sluptat@health.slu.edu.Ìý

For more information about the SLU physical therapy program's outcomes, matriculation rate, graduate rate, employment rate, NPTE pass rates and technical standards, please see theÌýadditional accreditation information (PDF).

View Additional Accreditation Information (PDF)

Complaint Policy and Instructions (PDF)

Technical Standards (PDF)

  1. Graduates will be able to serve others by advocating for the health of society.
  2. Graduates will be able to communicate in a way that optimizes patient-centered care.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply principles of evidence-based practice in patient care.
  4. Graduates will be able to evaluate typical versus atypical physical movement.

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Requirements

Physical Therapy RequirementsÌý(for students admitted as freshman or admitted as transfer undergraduate studentsÌýafter completion of the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, physical therapy concentration requirements)

DPTÌý5123Clinical Gait2
DPTÌý5134Multi System Management3
DPTÌý5135Cardiopulmonary Conditions3
DPTÌý5137Aspects of Nutrition2
DPTÌý5142Evidence Based Practice2
DPTÌý5149Applied Neuroscience2
DPTÌý5162Musculoskeletal Conditions II4
DPTÌý5215Professional Development I2
DPTÌý5218Effective Communication and Teaching3
DPTÌý5251Neurological Conditions I4
DPTÌý5263Musculoskeletal Conditions III4
DPTÌý5271Patient Management I3
DPTÌý5291Clinical Experience IA2
DPTÌý6072Patient Management II1
DPTÌý6077Department Administration2
DPTÌý6091Clinical Experience IB2
DPTÌý6092Clinical Experience IIA2
DPTÌý6116Professional Development II2
DPTÌý6124Biomechanical Interventions3
DPTÌý6138Concepts of Wellness1
DPTÌý6152Neurological Conditions II2
DPTÌý6164Musculoskeletal Conditions IV3
DPTÌý6173Patient Management III2
DPTÌý6178Applied Administration and Management2
DPTÌý6192Clinical Experience IIB2
DPTÌý6293Clinical Experience III3
DPTÌý6294Clinical Experience IV3
Total Credits66

Physical Therapy Requirements (for students admitted with a bachelors degree)

ANATÌý4000Human Gross Anatomy5
ANATÌý4300AHP Neurosciences4
EXSCÌý5121Clinical Biomechanics3
DPTÌý5123Clinical Gait2
DPTÌý5125Therapeutic Modalities3
DPTÌý5127Basic Examination3
DPTÌý5130System-Based Pathology4
DPTÌý5134Multi System Management3
DPTÌý5135Cardiopulmonary Conditions3
DPTÌý5137Aspects of Nutrition2
DPTÌý5142Evidence Based Practice2
DPTÌý5147Human Growth and Development3
DPTÌý5149Applied Neuroscience2
DPTÌý5162Musculoskeletal Conditions II4
DPTÌý5215Professional Development I2
DPTÌý5218Effective Communication and Teaching3
DPTÌý5222Kinesiology3
DPTÌý5226Therapeutic Exercise2
EXSCÌý5241Clinical Research and Design2
DPTÌý5228Basic Procedures2
DPTÌý5240Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions4
¶Ù±Ê°ÕÌý5290Skills Practicum1
DPTÌý5251Neurological Conditions I4
DPTÌý5263Musculoskeletal Conditions III4
DPTÌý5271Patient Management I3
DPTÌý5291Clinical Experience IA2
DPTÌý6072Patient Management II1
DPTÌý6077Department Administration2
DPTÌý6091Clinical Experience IB2
DPTÌý6092Clinical Experience IIA2
DPTÌý6192Clinical Experience IIB2
DPTÌý6116Professional Development II2
DPTÌý6124Biomechanical Interventions3
DPTÌý6138Concepts of Wellness1
DPTÌý6152Neurological Conditions II2
DPTÌý6164Musculoskeletal Conditions IV3
DPTÌý6173Patient Management III2
DPTÌý6178Applied Administration and Management2
DPTÌý6293Clinical Experience III3
DPTÌý6294Clinical Experience IV3
Total Credits105

Continuation Standards

For a complete list of GPA and professional behaviorÌýcontinuation standards, see the Program in Physical Therapy Student HandbookÌýon the program's web page. Students must earn a C or better in all required coursesÌýwith a DPT, EXSC, and IPE prefix. Students must earn aÌýC or better in all required ANAT courses at the 4000 level and above. For clinical education courses in the professional phase, an S (satisfactory) grade is required.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Pre-Professional Phase Ìý
BIOLÌý1240
&ÌýBIOLÌý1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
CHEMÌý1080
&ÌýCHEMÌý1085
Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture
and Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab
4
COREÌý1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy (satisfies COREÌý1700) 3
DPTÌý1111 Self and Community in PT (satisfies COREÌý1500) 1
ENGLÌý1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies COREÌý1900) 3
ÌýCredits15
Spring
BIOLÌý1260
&ÌýBIOLÌý1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
CHEMÌý1480
&ÌýCHEMÌý1485
Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture
and Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab
4
DPTÌý1212 Fueling the Fire, Discovering Your Passion (satisfies COREÌý1000) 2
MATHÌý1400 Pre-Calculus 3
COREÌý1200 Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (satisfies COREÌý1200) 3
ÌýCredits16
Year Two
Fall
IPEÌý2100 Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context 3
PHYSÌý1220
&ÌýPHYSÌý1235
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
PPYÌý2540 Human Physiology 4
PSYÌý1010 General Psychology 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
ÌýCredits17
Spring
ANATÌý1000 Basic Human Anatomy 3
DPTÌý2213 Professionalism and Physical Therapy Thought (satisfies COREÌý2500) 1
IPEÌý4200 Applied Decision-Making in Interprofessional Practice 3
PHYSÌý1240
&ÌýPHYSÌý1255
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
ÌýCredits17
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Study Abroad Optional Ìý
COREÌý1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
COREÌý2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression 2-3
COREÌý3400 Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture 3
PHILÌý2050
or HCEÌý2010
Ethics
or Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics
3
PSYÌý3460 Abnormal Psychology 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
ÌýCredits17-18
Spring
EXSCÌý3230 Exercise Physiology 3
IPEÌý4900 Interprofessional Community Practicum (satisfies COREÌý4000) 3
STATÌý1100 Introduction to Statistics 3
DPTÌý3214 Reflections on the Core and the Future 1
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
ÌýCredits16
Year Four
Summer
Professional Phase Ìý
ANATÌý4000 Human Gross Anatomy 5
ÌýCredits5
Fall
EXSCÌý5121 Clinical Biomechanics 3
DPTÌý5125 Therapeutic Modalities 3
DPTÌý5127 Basic Examination 3
DPTÌý5130 System-Based Pathology 4
DPTÌý5147 Human Growth and Development 3
ÌýCredits16
Spring
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - PT awarded upon completion of Semester Eight Ìý
ANATÌý4300 AHP Neurosciences 4
DPTÌý5222 Kinesiology 3
DPTÌý5226 Therapeutic Exercise 2
DPTÌý5228 Basic Procedures 2
EXSCÌý5241 Clinical Research and Design 2
DPTÌý5240 Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions 4
¶Ù±Ê°ÕÌý5290 Skills Practicum 1
ÌýCredits18
Year Five
Fall
DPTÌý5123 Clinical Gait 2
DPTÌý5134 Multi System Management 3
DPTÌý5135 Cardiopulmonary Conditions 3
DPTÌý5137 Aspects of Nutrition 2
DPTÌý5142 Evidence Based Practice 2
DPTÌý5149 Applied Neuroscience 2
DPTÌý5162 Musculoskeletal Conditions II 4
ÌýCredits18
Spring
DPTÌý5215 Professional Development I 2
DPTÌý5218 Effective Communication and Teaching 3
DPTÌý5251 Neurological Conditions I 4
DPTÌý5263 Musculoskeletal Conditions III 4
DPTÌý5271 Patient Management I 3
DPTÌý5291 Clinical Experience IA 2
ÌýCredits18
Year Six
Summer
DPTÌý6072 Patient Management II 1
DPTÌý6077 Department Administration 2
DPTÌý6091 Clinical Experience IB 2
DPTÌý6092 Clinical Experience IIA 2
ÌýCredits7
Fall
DPTÌý6116 Professional Development II 2
DPTÌý6124 Biomechanical Interventions 3
DPTÌý6138 Concepts of Wellness 1
DPTÌý6152 Neurological Conditions II 2
DPTÌý6164 Musculoskeletal Conditions IV 3
DPTÌý6173 Patient Management III 2
DPTÌý6178 Applied Administration and Management 2
DPT 618XPhysical Therapy Elective (optional) 0-1
DPTÌý6192 Clinical Experience IIB 2
ÌýCredits17-18
Spring
Doctor of Physical Therapy awarded upon completion of Semester 12 Ìý
DPTÌý6293 Clinical Experience III 3
DPTÌý6294 Clinical Experience IV 3
ÌýCredits6
ÌýTotal Credits203-205

Program Notes

The six-year curriculum is divided into the pre-professional (years one through three) and the professional phase (years four through six). Year four represents the final year of the baccalaureate degree for freshman-entry or pre-professional-phase transfer students and first year of the professional phase for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Progression to the professional phase of the program provides a seamless entry from foundational coursework to practical labs and clinical experiences. The post-baccalaureate curriculum is the coursework outlined in years four through six.Ìý

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu