D.P.T.

Physical Therapy
First Choice,
Only
Choice
Program Facts
Delivery Method:
On-Campus
Start Term:
Fall
Completion Time:
36 Months
Credits:
119

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Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

About Our Physical Therapy Program

Slippery Rock University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares students to become highly skilled, licensed clinicians through a rigorous blend of academic and hands-on clinical training. As one of the first programs in the country to transition to the doctoral level, SRU’s eight-semester DPT curriculum includes 37 weeks of clinical experience and a strong focus on integrating foundational science with real-world practice. Students benefit from a wide variety of clinical site placements, experienced faculty who are actively engaged in the field, and elective courses that allow for specialization in areas of interest. Graduates consistently meet or exceed national licensure pass rates, reflecting the program’s commitment to excellence. The DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Why Get a Physical Therapy Degree?

  • Be part of a pioneering program — you’ll join one of the first DPT programs in the U.S., setting the standard for physical therapy education.
  • Earn your degree with confidence from a program fully accredited by CAPTE, the national gold standard in PT education.
  • Benefit from a close-knit cohort of just 52 students, allowing for more personalized faculty interaction and hands-on learning opportunities.
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Accredited. Respected. Proven.

Slippery Rock University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This accreditation is the gold standard for physical therapy education in the United States, which means our program has been thoroughly reviewed and meets the highest standards for quality and integrity. Graduating from a CAPTE-accredited program is a requirement in all states to be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and become a licensed physical therapist.



Career Outcomes

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree prepares you for a rewarding and high-demand career as a licensed Physical Therapist. As movement experts, PTs work with patients of all ages to restore function, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life following an injury, illness, or surgery. This versatile career opens doors to a wide range of settings, including hospitals, private practices, sports facilities, schools, and rehabilitation centers. The DPT is a terminal degree that also positions graduates for leadership roles in clinic management, research, and academia.

  • Pediatric Physician, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital
  • Physician Assistant, Triangle Urological Group
  • Physical Therapist, Legacy Medical Centers
  • Wetland Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Chiropractor, Click Family Chiropractic

I continue to benefit from my SRU education every day in my practice and small business, where I integrate my clinical training and specialties to expand health and wellness in my hometown community.

Madison Leininger ‘19, Physical Therapist and Owner
Range Physical Therapy & Wellness
Madison Leininger

Requirements

What are the admission requirements for this program at SRU? Check out the requirements in the dropdowns of this section!

Program Director / Coordinator

Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Kelly Lindenberg
Physical Therapy
724.738.4368
kelly.lindenberg@sru.edu

To apply, complete the online application through PTCAS. Applications will be accepted from June 17 until November 1. Your PTCAS application must be e-submitted, completed and verified by November 3, 2025.

The SRU DPT Program has a rolling admissions process which means applications are reviewed throughout the application process, applicants are encouraged to apply early as we will accept applications until the cohort is filled. The admissions committee does a holistic review of each application, considering multiple factors when making admissions decisions (GPA, letters of recommendation, essay/short answer questions, observation hours, extra-curricular activities, leadership abilities, etc.).

Requirements

  1. A minimum of a baccalaureate degree or completion of the first three years of the Pre-Physical Therapy SRU 3+3 and the following prerequisites:
    • Two courses of Anatomy & Physiology with labs. We will accept any of the following:

      • A&P: Advanced
      • A&P: Combined course
      • A&P: Human
      • A&P: Separate courses
      • A&P: Pathophysiology
      • A&P: Physiology

      We will accept anatomy and physiology courses taken in sequence (e.g. A&P 1 and A&P 2) or we will accept anatomy with a lab and physiology courses taken separately.


    • Two courses of Chemistry with labs. We will accept any chemistry course with a lab.

    • Two courses of Physics with labs. We will accept any physics course with a lab.

    • Two courses of Psychology. We will accept any psychology courses.

    • One course in Statistics. We will accept either of these statistic courses: Biology-Biostatistics and Mathematics-Statistics.


  2. An undergraduate grade point average and prerequisite grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The program averages grades of any courses that were repeated.

    All prerequisite courses must be completed with a C or better. Due to COVID-19, we will accept "pass" for Spring and Summer 2020 courses; however, we will rank them as a 'B' when analyzing grades.


  3. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all institutions previously attended.


  4. Recommended not required-official scores from the general test of the Graduate Record Exam scores. GRE scores are reportable for five years. SRU PTCAS code is 4802.


  5. Documentation of 50 hours or more of physical therapy experience with a licensed physical therapist at a minimum of two different facilities. In-person hours are required and virtual hours are accepted as long as they represent no more than 25% of the total hours accumulated.


  6. Three references: The Slippery Rock University DPT Program requires three reference letters. Please be sure to carefully review these requirements. If the reference letter requirements are not fulfilled, then the application will not be considered complete. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure they have submitted the proper reference letters.

    • Each applicant MUST submit one reference letter from a licensed physical therapist. Reference letters from physical therapy assistants (PTAs), athletic trainers, etc. will not be accepted for this requirement.
    • Each applicant MUST submit one reference letter from a faculty member, preferably from a higher-level course in the applicant’s major.*
    • Each applicant MUST submit one professional or academic reference letter of their choosing. Preferred professional recommendations include physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, physicians or similar. Professional references may also include employers and volunteer supervisors.

    Letters from family members or friends WILL NOT be accepted.

    *Non-traditional students who have concerns about obtaining an academic reference can reach out to us directly to discuss an alternative.


  7. Completed essay questions.

NOTE:

  • All prerequisites must have been taken within the last 10 years. The 10-year window is from when the student would begin the program.
  • Online courses are permitted for all prerequisites. However, we encourage students to take Anatomy & Physiology in person.
  • AP/IB courses are permitted except for Anatomy & Physiology. For Chemistry, Physics and Psychology we only accept one as AP/IB while the second prerequisite must be from a college-level course.
  • Regardless of citizenship, if you are a non-native English speaker, you are required to submit scores that show proficiency in the English language. If applicable, the English proficiency requirement must be completed and score received in the English language.
  • Applicants who are offered and accept admission in the program are required to submit a deposit within two weeks of acceptance to hold a seat in the upcoming cohort. The $500.00 deposit is applied directly to the student's tuition for the fall semester.
  • If you are interested in visiting, please attend one of our open houses. This is the best opportunity for you to see campus and the facilities.

Please note: For more information, visit www.sru.edu/graduate. Transfer course evaluation information can be found on our graduate website.

Resources from SRU

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

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