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More than 120,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S., treating nearly 1 million people every day. 抖阴免费鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program aspires to develop 鈥渆thical leaders with moral courage,鈥 prepared to assume a leadership role in addressing the health-related concerns society faces. 抖阴免费鈥檚 DPT program utilizes a state-of-the art facility, featuring Anatomage Virtual Dissection tables, a research lab with motion analysis system, a real-time ultrasound unit, a split-belt treadmill, surface electromyography and accelerometers.


The DPT program is offered in a 4+3 year curricular format or a 3+3 year accelerated format. 抖阴免费 students who are admitted as undergraduate students into one of 4 majors (Biochemistry, Biology, Healthcare Science, or Psychology) begin the professional phase of the curriculum in their senior year. Upon maintaining the required GPA and completion of all admission requirements, these students are eligible to compete with other accelerated students for entrance into the program and may complete their undergraduate training and doctoral degree within 6 years.
 

Getting Started

General Notes
  • A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
  • Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
  • Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
  • Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
  • Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
  • A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students 鈥 including first-year, transfer, and international students 鈥 may apply via the or . To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. 抖阴免费鈥檚 Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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College of Health Sciences
Students on the quad
Why Choose 抖阴免费?
鈥 A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, 抖阴免费 offers more than 50 majors and minors.
鈥 An ever-expanding number of experiential learning opportunities includes internships, field experiences, co-ops, research projects, and study/service abroad programs.
鈥 A rich campus life allows students to enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, more than 50 clubs, intramural sport and student leadership and governance opportunities.
鈥 In growth mode, 抖阴免费 continues to add value to its student experience: expanding academic programming in new facilities; adding student living space and updating residence halls; partnering with a community health provider; and adding amenities including a game room and new performance space.


Program Overview

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Semester 1 (16 credits)

  • HCS 220 Health & Wellness
  • SRH 101/160 Search Seminar-Enduring Questions
  • Gen Ed (COM 101)
  • Gen Ed (THE 105)
  • BIO 107/117 Human A&P I w/ lab
     

Semester 2 (16 credits)

  • BIO 108/118 Human A&P I w/ lab
  • HCS 330 Healthcare Literacy & Advocacy
  • PSY 101
  • Gen Ed (PHI 105)
  • Gen Ed (COM 103 or 213)
     

Semester 3 (16 credits)

  • PSY 208
  • CHE 104/110 General Chemistry I w/ lab
  • HCS 205 Intro/Healthcare Informatics
  • Gen Ed (Art, Music, Theater)
  • Gen Ed (World Language I)
     

Semester 4 (16 credits)

  • HCS 320 Healthcare Science/ Cultural Competence
  • CHE 105/111 General Chemistry II w/ lab
  • MAT 208
  • Gen Ed (THE/PHI 200 Level Ethics/Morality)
  • Gen Ed (World Language II)
     

By October 1 of Junior Year Must meet DPT Progression Requirements

  • PTCAS updated
  • GPA overall, 3.25
  • Science, 3.0
     

Semester 5 (16 credits)

  • HCS 430 Capstone (may be taken in fifth or sixth semester)
  • Gen Ed (LIT)
  • Gen Ed (THE/PHI 200 - 400 level)
  • PHY 110 with Lab
  • AT 433 Exercise Physiology
     

Semester 6 (16 credits)

  • COM 103 or 213
  • BIO 216 Nutrition
  • PHY 111 with Lab
  • Gen Ed (MAT 208)
  • Gen Ed (HIS or POS)
     

Semester 7 (18 credits)

  • DPT 500 Gross Anatomy & Histology
  • DPT 503 Applied Physiology for Physical Therapy
  • DPT 504 Practice Management I
  • DPT 508 PT Procedures I
  • DPT 522 Foundations of Clinical Practice
     

Semester 8 (19 credits)

  • DPT 502 Kinesiology
  • DPT 512 Critical Inquiry I
  • DPT 516 Musculoskeletal Practice I
  • DPT 520 Neuromuscular Practice I
  • DPT 509 Found Clin Exam & Eval
  • DPT 528 Cardio Practice I
  • DPT 523 Clinical Practice I
Policies and Procedures


Read the Healthcare Science Policies & Procedures Handbook.
 

Experiential Learning Opportunities


抖阴免费 offers performance-based physical therapy education, which focuses on the practical application of knowledge and the development of clinical skills ensures that graduates will be prepared to have an immediate impact on the lives of others. Numerous service-learning opportunities are provided early and often and include interprofessional educational experiences with students from other programs.


Faculty have extensive clinical experience and continue to practice and conduct meaningful research within their varied areas of clinical specialization. Local clinical experts support the coursework by imparting their areas of specialized knowledge and skill to the students. The Program鈥檚 NPTE passage rate, Graduation rate and Employment rate are high and meet accreditation standards. Opportunities for interdisciplinary educational experiences with students from other programs 鈥 including occupational therapy, nursing, athletic training and medical imaging 鈥 provides students with an appreciation for the unique contribution of each discipline within the healthcare team.


Active community engagement and service learning through various initiatives in the nearby city of Reading enables students to appreciate their role within the community and their responsibility to use their skills in the service of others. DPT students are required to participate in 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences (internships). These experiences provide context for learning and develop students who demonstrate evidence-based clinical performance.


Students participate in real-world learning experiences featured in the program鈥檚 鈥渃linic without walls鈥 model, providing physical therapy care under the direction of licensed physical therapists for community members in a variety of formats. Such experiences include:

  • Providing PT care during classroom laboratory experiences.
  • Providing wellness-related services through collaboration between the DPT Program and other organizations such as Reading Housing
    Authority, Tower Health (Rise and Shine and Rock Steady Boxing), Walk with Ease and Matter of Balance.
  • Providing PT care at the DPT student-managed Health & Wellness Center at Liggett Avenue, which is located at the Berks Community
    Health Center (BCHC) in the Oakbrook section of Reading.
  • Community/university service and advocacy events like the BCHC Community Health Fair, Legislative Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, and Interprofessional education experiences with nursing and athletic training.
     
Accreditation Statements

CAPTE

  • The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at 抖阴免费 is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: .

    For more information regarding the process of accreditation, please contact the:

    Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
    3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100
    Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
    Phone: 703-706-3245
    Email: accreditation@apta.org

Career Outlook

After earning your Doctorate of Physical Therapy, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:
 

  • Acute Care Hospital-Based Facilities
  • Sports Medicine Centers
  • Research Institutions
  • Pediatric Facilities
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Transitional Care Units
  • School-based Facilities
     

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2023 was $101,020.

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College of Health Sciences
抖阴免费's College of Health Sciences is committed to educating professionals who are prepared to meet the healthcare demands of an ever-changing society.
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Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about 抖阴免费鈥檚 Healthcare Science program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Healthcare Science Program Director Thomas Porrazzo at 610-796-8311 or tom.porrazzo@alvernia.edu. (Faculty members involved with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program can be found on the DPT program page.)