Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy (0013)
Program Coordinator
Kurt R. Neelly, kurt.neelly@wku.edu, (270) 745-4062
The DPT Program is designed to prepare students to plan and administer treatment to help patients regain diminished physical function lost secondary to injury or disease, to promote soft tissue healing, and to relieve pain. Determining the degree of impairment allows physical therapists to help patients return to full function by using various physical agents to decrease pain and by using therapeutic exercises to increase strength, endurance, and coordination.
The purpose of the DPT Program is to provide students pursuing a career in physical therapy the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the safe practice of physical therapy. Students are prepared as generalists, but also have some opportunity to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy through numerous clinical exposures. The program of study consists of 118 credit hours of graduate course work and consists of intense academic and clinical work spread over 3 years. These hours are divided between classroom, clinical, and research activities.
The DPT Program is an entry-level professional degree program designed to provide individuals with baccalaureate degrees and the appropriate prerequisite courses the knowledge and skills to develop clinical and research expertise in the field of physical therapy. Upon receiving the DPT degree, students will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in physical therapy.
The Mission of the WKU Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to prepare physical therapists who improve the quality of life of their patients and clients, especially in rural and underserved communities.
In addition to formal lecture and laboratory courses, students are required to successfully complete clinical experiences usually conducted at external agencies/facilities. Due to the nature of these experiences and to stipulations established by agencies/facilities, specific requirements for students may exist to be eligible to participate in the clinical experiences. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, undergoing criminal background checks, drug testing, and TB skin tests; providing proof of health insurance, professional liability insurance, and/or immunization records or blood titers verifying proof of immunizations. These items may need to be updated annually. Additionally, there may be certifications, training seminars, or other requirements specified by the facility/agency that a student must meet in order to be eligible for clinical experiences at a facility. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in any on or off-campus experiences; students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Student questions regarding the agreements with external agencies may be directed to the Director of Clinical Education of the DPT Program. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.
Program Admission
Admission to the program is competitive and limited to 30 students per class. Complete applications received by the application due dates will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine which applicants will be invited to our Admissions Event. Following the completion of this event, the Admissions Committee will determine which applicants will be offered entry into the program. Due to the competitiveness for entry into the program and the limited spaces available, applicants that meet the minimum requirements are not ensured admission into the program.
The following are requirements for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program:
- Baccalaureate Degree: Prospective candidates are required to earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.
- Prerequisite Courses: Prospective candidates must complete the following prerequisite courses:
- Anatomy (1 semester with lab) AND Physiology (1 semester with lab); OR Anatomy & Physiology I and II (2 course sequence with labs)
- Biology (2 semesters with labs)
- General Chemistry (2 semesters with labs)
- General Physics (2 semesters with labs)
- All Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses MUST be appropriate for science majors; (Anatomy & Physiology courses are the exception)
- Psychology (1 semester)
- Statistics (1 semester)
- No grade lower than a C (i.e. C-, D, F) is acceptable in the above prerequisite courses.
- Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, for both overall and prerequisite science courses.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE):
- There is no minimum GRE score
- A composite score of 300 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE will be more competitive.
- A score of 3.5 out of 6 on the analytical writing section of the GRE will be more competitive.
- Physical Therapy Observation Hours:
- PT hours are required - a licensed PT must verify hours w/ signed form uploaded or online via PTCAS.
- Total Number of PT Hours Required is 35 hours.
- Application materials:
- Applicants are required to apply to BOTH Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) and WKU Graduate Studies
- NOTE: materials must be sent to both locations, there is no communication between PTCAS and WKU Graduate Studies.
- PTCAS Application Requirements:
- Application & fee per PTCAS
- Send official transcripts from all college, university, and professional coursework to PTCAS
- Send official GRE scores to PTCAS (code 0557)
- Send two (2) letters of recommendation to PTCAS
- WKU Graduate Studies Application Requirements:
- Application & fee per WKU Graduate Studies
- Send official transcripts from all college, university, and professional coursework to WKU Graduate Studies, even if you do not have a grade for the course (i.e. course in progress)
- Send official GRE scores to WKU Graduate Studies (code 0557)
Early and Standard Applications: (Applicants are required to apply to BOTH PTCAS and WKU Graduate Studies)
- WKU Early Acceptance Process
- WKU will offer its own internal acceptance process. A limited number of early acceptance class spaces will be available. To be considered for WKU early acceptance, applicants are required to complete the following:
- ALL standard PTCAS requirements (application, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received by PTCAS by the dates indicated in the WKU DPT program page in PTCAS.
- ALL standard WKU Graduate Studies Application requirements (application, fee, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received electronically by WKU Graduate Studies by dates indicated in the WKU DPT program page in PTCAS.
- In order to be considered for the WKU Early Acceptance process (and begin the WKU DPT program in the next admissions cycle), ALL application materials must be received by both PTCAS and WKU as indicated above.
- Applicants must indicate their desire to be considered for the WKU Early Acceptance process on the appropriate PTCAS Custom Question, as well as notify the WKU DPT Program of your desire to be considered for WKU Early Acceptance.
- Minimum Requirements to be considered for early decision:
- Overall GPA 3.6
- Science Prerequisite GPA 3.6
- GRE-V 150
- GRE-Q 150
- For those who desire to be considered for Early Acceptance, six (6) of the eight (8) science courses MUST be completed prior to submission of the PTCAS application.
- WKU will offer its own internal acceptance process. A limited number of early acceptance class spaces will be available. To be considered for WKU early acceptance, applicants are required to complete the following:
- Standard Decision
- WKU DPT participates in PTCAS Standard Application process to fill the remaining cohort.
- For those who desire to be considered for the Standard Decision process, five (5) of the eight (8) science courses MUST be completed prior to submission of the PTCAS application.
- ALL PTCAS requirements (application, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received by PTCAS by the dates indicated in the WKU DPT program page in PTCAS.
- ALL WKU Graduate Studies Application requirements (application, fee, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received electronically by WKU Graduate Studies by dates indicated in the WKU DPT program page in PTCAS.
- Academic Update through PTCAS may be required after Fall course grades have been posted, provided you were enrolled in courses during the Fall semester.
- Admissions Event (Interviews may be required)
- Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, resulting in the top applicants being invited to the WKU DPT Admissions Event. Refer to the WKU DPT Program page in PTCAS for details. Attendance at the Admissions Event is REQUIRED for final consideration for admission.
- The admission committee will consider attendance hardships on a case-by-case basis.
- Technical Standards: Students are required to enter the program with a minimum level of ability in specific areas termed “technical standards.” For successful admission into the program, students are required to meet the minimum technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation as part of the Core Performance Standards as stated in the DPT Program Student Manual and Program Policies and Procedures. Upon admission to the Program, you will be provided a copy of the WKU DPT Technical Standards. For successful admission into the program, you will be required to sign documentation that you understand the implications and content in each section, as well as signify whether you will or will not require reasonable accommodations.
- *Students will be notified at orientation day that if they need reasonable accommodations at any time, they can request them by contacting the WKU SARC.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (118 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| DPT 700 | Orientation to Physical Therapy | 1 |
| DPT 705 | Orientation to Clinical Education in Physical Therapy | 1 |
| DPT 711 | Principles of Physical Assessment I | 1 |
| DPT 712 | Principles of Physical Assessment II | 2 |
| DPT 713 | Principles of Physical Assessment III | 2 |
| DPT 715 | Patient Care Techniques | 3 |
| DPT 716 | Principles of Therapeutic Exercise in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| DPT 720 | Gross Human Anatomy I | 2 |
| DPT 721 | Gross Human Anatomy I Lab | 1 |
| DPT 722 | Gross Human Anatomy II | 2 |
| DPT 723 | Gross Human Anatomy II Lab | 1 |
| DPT 724 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| DPT 726 | Orthopaedic Foundations | 3 |
| DPT 727 | Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| DPT 728 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| DPT 729 | Pharmacology in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| DPT 735 | Pain Neuroscience for Physical Therapy | 1 |
| DPT 736 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| DPT 738 | Motor Control | 2 |
| DPT 740 | Physical Modalities | 3 |
| DPT 742 | Diagnostic Testing and Imaging | 2 |
| DPT 745 | Integumentary System | 2 |
| DPT 746 | Management of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders | 4 |
| DPT 747 | Physical Therapy Management for Select Populations | 2 |
| DPT 748 | Prosthetics and Orthotics | 2 |
| DPT 749 | Neurological Assessment | 1 |
| DPT 751 | Supervised Clinical Education I | 4 |
| DPT 752 | Supervised Clinical Education II | 5 |
| DPT 753 | Supervised Clinical Education III | 7 |
| DPT 754 | Supervised Clinical Education IV | 9 |
| DPT 760 | Professional Issues | 2 |
| DPT 761 | Physical Therapy Management and Administration I | 1 |
| DPT 762 | Physical Therapy Management and Administration II | 3 |
| DPT 770 | Management of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders | 4 |
| DPT 771 | Neurological Rehabilitation | 4 |
| DPT 772 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 3 |
| DPT 774 | Spine Assessment and Intervention | 4 |
| DPT 775 | Screening for Referral | 3 |
| DPT 778 | Geriatric Physical Therapy | 1 |
| DPT 779 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 3 |
| DPT 781 | Research in Physical Therapy I | 3 |
| DPT 782 | Research in Physical Therapy II | 2 |
| DPT 783 | Research in Physical Therapy III | 3 |
| DPT 784 | Research in Physical Therapy IV | 1 |
| DPT 785 | Research in Physical Therapy V | 1 |
| DPT 790 | Physical Therapy Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours | 118 | |