Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program
Admissions
Curriculum
Accreditation
Outcomes
Financial Facts
Leadership

Program

For over 40 years, Drexel’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has been training some of the nation's most skilled physical therapists. Our integrated curriculum ensures students quickly apply classroom knowledge to real patient cases in clinical settings. We graduate innovative professionals who not only understand the science behind pathology and treatment but also show the compassion necessary to effectively care for diverse patient populations.

Why choose Drexel’s DPT program?

Our DPT program stands out for its comprehensive approach, combining rigorous academic training with practical, hands-on experience. You'll be part of a supportive community of learners and educators committed to excellence in physical therapy.

What you'll learn

In our DPT program, you'll delve into the evaluation of human motion at the tissue, organ and systems levels. As a physical therapist, you will learn to examine and evaluate patients, implementing interventions that restore physical function across the lifespan. Our curriculum produces well-rounded physical therapists, addressing the needs of the health care community and students' interests. We focus on fostering both intellectual and professional growth, ensuring our graduates are prepared for the evolving landscape of health care delivery.

Program highlights

Duration and pathways: Complete the DPT program in either 2.5 or 3.5 years. Combine it with an MBA for a dual degree or pursue a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences for a career in academia or research.

Curriculum structure: Begin with foundational courses in the first year, progressing through increasingly complex educational objectives. All didactic material is organized for synthesis and application to professional practice.

What makes Drexel’s DPT program unique?

Expert faculty: Learn from knowledgeable faculty who are leaders in their fields and dedicated to student success.
Experiential learning: Gain hands-on experience in our department-managed clinical practices and with our clinical partners.
State-of-the-art facilities: Utilize cutting-edge health care technology, including a standardized patient lab, gait and mobility research lab and a human anatomy lab with both cadaver dissection and electronic dissection tools.
Impressive pass rate: Benefit from our 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination throughout the program's history.
Elective courses: Tailor your education with elective courses in your second year. Past electives include pelvic health physical therapy, advanced manual therapy, advanced anatomy, emerging technologies in physical therapy, running evaluation, analysis and treatment and a service trip to Guatemala. New courses are continually being developed to keep up with industry advancements.

Program Fact Sheet (PDF)

Due Process for Complaints

Drexel University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program recognizes that members of the Drexel University community and those members outside of that community may have a complaint and are entitled to due process. If you are a member of the Drexel University community and would like to file a complaint, please follow University guidelines. If you are an individual or organization outside of the Drexel University Community, such as, but not limited to, a prospective student, clinical education site or employer of a Drexel graduate, please contact the PTRS Department Chair, Dr. Lisa Chiarello, at 267.359.5532 or email lc38@drexel.edu to begin the process.

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND TIMELINE

For matriculation in the fall of 2025:

Preferred Application Completion Date: October 15, 2024
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024
Program Start Date: September 22, 2025

To be considered eligible for review, a verified Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS) application and all supporting materials must be received by the application deadline. Please note that the PTCAS verification process can take about four to six weeks. Drexel’s direct link to PTCAS is: https://ptcasdirectory.apta.org/395/Drexel-University.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Qualified applicants will be invited to campus for an admissions interview in the fall.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution.

International students who received a bachelor’s degree outside of the US (or from native non-English speaking country) must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a Duolingo English Test. For more information, please see the drop down at the bottom of this page.

GPA requirements:

Minimum cumulative overall GPA: 3.0
Minimum cumulative science GPA: 3.0

BS/DPT Bridge program:
The BS/DPT Bridge program requirements are the maintenance of a 3.33 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 science GPA while earning a minimum grade of "C" on all DPT program prerequisite courses. For more detailed information visit the BS/DPT website.

Prerequisite coursework:
All prerequisite courses must be completed within seven years of your application to Drexel University. A minimum grade of a “C” is considered transferable; however, achieving a “B” or above will make for a more competitive application.

8 semester or 12 quarter credits (a full year) of Biology with laboratory
8 semester or 12 quarter credits (a full year) of Chemistry with laboratory
8 semester or 12 quarter credits (a full year) of Physics with laboratory
4 semester or 6 quarter credits in Human Physiology or A&P I with laboratory
4 semester or 6 quarter credits in Human Anatomy or A&P II with laboratory
One psychology course (3 credits)
One statistics course - behavioral science course preferred (3 credits)

Please note, students who attend a college/university that is on a quarter system will need to complete 12 quarter credits each of biology, chemistry, physics and anatomy and physiology (or A&P series). Applicants can have up to three outstanding prerequisites when applying.

Application Requirements:

Application: All applicants must apply through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org.
Official transcripts: Send all official transcripts directly to PTCAS. Copies do not need to be sent to Drexel.
Standardized tests: The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. GRE scores can be sent using Drexel’s school code 7795. As part of the admissions committee's holistic review process, GRE scores are used to provide additional information on the applicant. Though we do not have set minimum or specific cut-off scores for the GRE, we encourage applicants to take the GRE seriously.
References: Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must come from a science-based professor or advisor, and the other letter must come from a licensed physical therapist.
Personal statement/essay: The essay prompt is provided in the PTCAS application.
Observation hours: 50 or more volunteer, shadowing or paid internship hours are highly recommended. Hours must be observed by a licensed physical therapist. We encourage applicants to shadow in multiple PT settings.
Accomplishments/employment/involvements/licenses: We recommend listing your accomplishments, employment history, certificates, licenses and involvements in sports, clubs and other volunteer activities in the Experiences and Achievements sections of the PTCAS application.

Interview:
Qualified applicants that are deemed competitive will be offered an in-person interview. The interview day consists of a program overview, a one-on-one interview with a faculty member or alumni, a facilities tour and a question-and-answer session with current students. Overall, the interview is a time for the program faculty to learn more about the applicant, as well as an opportunity for the applicant to discover more about the program.

Students are selected for admission into the program based primarily on the anticipation of their ability to successfully complete the curriculum. To make this judgment, the program’s admissions committee uses the materials submitted by the applicant in their application and the interview.

Tuition and Fee Rates:
Please visit the Tuition and Fee Rates page on Drexel Central. Tuition and fees for the DPT program can be found under the College of Nursing and Health Professions drop-down.

COMPLIANCE

The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that is required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.

Visit the Compliance pages for more information.

International students

International students must also submit:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Applicants who have not received a degree in the United States must take the TOEFL. Official score report must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. Drexel's TOEFL code is 2194. We require a score of at least 100 or a Duolingo English Test.
I-20/DS-2019 application form. (PDF)
Transcript evaluation by World Education Services (WES is highly preferred by PTCAS).

Curriculum

Clinical Education

Our DPT program boasts a robust history of comprehensive clinical education. We integrate clinical experiences with the didactic portions of the curriculum, ensuring that classroom knowledge is quickly and effectively applied in real-world settings. With contracts at hundreds of clinical sites nationwide, we cover all facets of professional practice, providing diverse opportunities for our students.

Integrated Clinical Experiences
From the beginning of the program, students engage in clinical experiences that complement their classroom learning. This integration ensures that theoretical knowledge is continually reinforced and applied, enhancing both understanding and skill development.

National Network of Clinical Sites
We have partnerships with numerous clinical sites across the country, offering students a wide range of environments to develop their expertise. These sites include outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and community health organizations, representing the full spectrum of physical therapy practice.

Extensive Clinical Rotations
Students participate in 33 weeks of full-time clinical rotations, gaining hands-on experience in various clinical settings. These rotations cover different levels of patient acuity, from acute care to chronic condition management, helping students build confidence and competence in treating diverse patient populations.

Our commitment to comprehensive clinical education ensures that graduates of our DPT program are well-prepared for professional practice, equipped with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their careers.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Drexel 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
Website: http://www.capteonline.org

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 267.359.5535 or email ptadmissions@drexel.edu.

Outcomes

Graduates of the DPT Program are prepared to work as physical therapy professionals in a variety of health care settings. Our graduates are innovative practitioners who value life-long learning and assume leadership positions in their area of practice. We are proud of the accomplishments of our graduates including:

National Physical Therapy Licensure Exam Pass Rate

Indicates the percentage of students who passed the National Physical Therapy Licensure Exam. Both an ultimate and first-attempt pass rate for the past two graduating classes are included as well as a two-year average of both.

Ultimate

Class of 2024	100% (full class data not available)
Class of 2023	100%
2-year average	100%
History of program	100%

First-time

Class of 2024	100% (full class data not available)
Class of 2023	79.4%
2-year average	89.7%
Last 10 Years	95%

Graduation Rate

Indicates the percentage of students who matriculated into the program and ultimately graduated. Reported separately and as an average for the past two cohorts of students who graduated.

Class of 2024	100%
Class of 2023	100%
2-year average	100%

Six Month Employment Rate

Indicates the percentage of students who have attained full-time employment six months after graduation. Reported separately and as an average for the past two cohorts of students who graduated.

Class of 2023	100%
Class of 2022	100%
2-year average	100%

Drexel University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Financial Fact Sheet
2023

The data below applies to students experiencing the program in academic year 2023-2024. (All cohorts enrolled from Fall 2023–August 2024.)

Length of Program which includes all student instruction/interaction (including classroom, laboratory, exams and clinical education) where either full or partial attendance is required.

Length of Program in Weeks excluding breaks: 110
Length of Program in Weeks including breaks: 130

Clinical Education

This program has a requirement for all students to complete at least one clinical education experience outside the Philadelphia area (>50 miles outside the city). To attend, the students are required to seek alternative housing or travel accommodations.

Note: Students are responsible for costs associated with housing, travel, and food during clinical education. Actual clinical education costs for each student are extremely variable. For the purposes of the estimates below, the program has allocated $1000 towards the first clinical education experience and $2000 towards clinical education experiences 2 and 3. Please note that these are only estimates; the actual costs may be lower or higher. The DPT program at Drexel works with students on an individual basis if they have extenuating circumstances.

Student Costs

Note: These are costs experienced by students in the Fall 2023–August 2024 academic year. Annual costs are estimates and subject to change. Students should contact the program for further information related to costs.

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Annual Tuition (before any applicable scholarships)	61,362	56,180	9,300	126,842
Annual Institutional Fees for a Full‐time Student [Includes general institutional fees, i.e., health insurance, recreation, etc.]:	4,078	4,078	3,518	11,674
Total Expected Cost of Other Program‐related Expenses [Includes: required texts, laboratory fees and other program costs for the entire technical program.]:	3,110	2,260	2,680	8,050
Total Cost of the Program [Includes: tuition, fees, other program costs for the entire program]:	68,550	62,518	15,498	146,566

Note: Students are encouraged to explore the cost of living for areas where they may choose to live. One possible website: https://livingwage.mit.edu/

Does the institution offer financial assistance specific to DPT students? No
Does the program/institution offer scholarships specific to DPT students? Yes
Does the program offer graduate assistantships specific to DPT students? No
Note: Other opportunities may exist at the institution for financial support. Please contact the program for further information.

Additional non-institutional scholarships may be found through https://myscholly.com/

APTA student members are encouraged to visit the APTA Financial Solutions Center.

Student Debt Summary

Average student debt from the DPT Program for students who graduated in 2023: $77,982
Average total student debt after completing the DPT Program, includes all student loan debt: $105,025