Become a Qualified Physical Therapist in Just Two and a Half Years
Earn your doctorate and launch your career as a physical therapist in one of the nation’s top-rated, fastest-growing professions. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will equip you with the skill set needed to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care to members of your community.
You’ll apply theory to practice with dynamic engaged learning experiences that combine traditional instruction with lab work, clinical practicums, and community learning. Enjoy small class sizes taught by trained practitioners and educators in »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s state-of-the-art classroom and lab facilities.
- 36 weeks of full-time practicums
- 108 semester credit hours
Upcoming Term Start Dates
8/19/2025
The Final Application Deadline is April 1, 2025.
CAPTE Statement
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË 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: . If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Nancy Nuzzo at 863.680.5126 or email nnuzzo@flsouthern.edu.
Top Reasons
Small Classes
Our Doctor of Physical Therapy classes are all face-to-face, with 36 students in each cohort. The ratio of 4 students per faculty member provides the benefit of hands-on learning and individualized attention from your professors.
Accelerated Program - 7 Semesters in 2.5 Years
Earn your doctorate in physical therapy in just two and a half years. Get a head start in taking your licensure exams and applying for jobs in your field.
Immersive Learning in the Community
Faculty lead students through engaged learning community experiences, working with clients across the lifespan prior to clinical practicums.
State of the Art Facilities
Learn in »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s state-of-the-art, brand-new classrooms and laboratories, featuring the most up-to-date physical therapy technology and equipment.
Extensive NPTE Board Exam Preparation
Preparation for the National Physical Therapy Board Exam is built into the program’s curriculum. Once it’s time to sit your exam, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to pass your exam and get started on your professional endeavors.
Collaborative Clinic Work
The physical therapy doctoral program features the “Integrated Professional and Community Education” course series. These courses give you the opportunity to work alongside faculty who serve the needs of our local community through pro bono clinics and outreach.
Meet Our Mocs
Adriel A
Emily B.
Sylvia R
Will K
State of the Art Facilities
Take a look at the brand-new, multimillion-dollar facilities in which you will be learning. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s features the most up-to-date physical therapy technology and equipment.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution may be in progress at the time of application. However, the degree must be awarded prior to matriculation into the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË School of Physical Therapy Program.
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 (on 4.00 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of college course work. The average GPA for our accepted students in the last 60 credit hours is a 3.54.
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 (on 4.00 scale) for all prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (C- does not meet this requirement). Please see the Prerequisite GPA section below for additional details. The average GPA for our accepted students for all prerequisite courses is a 3.35.
- A minimum of 25 hours of demonstrable exposure to PT as evidenced by volunteer and/or paid work experience in a PT setting. Please make sure to include the Physical Therapy license number of the Physical Therapist verifying your Observation hours. Please note, we do not accept observation hours verified by a PTA. The average number completed by all PTCAS applicants last year was 198.4.
- Two letters of recommendation. One from a Licensed Physical Therapist (from your volunteer experience or work experience in a PT setting). One from one of the following areas: a college-level faculty member who had you in a class or was your program advisor, supervisor/employer, teaching assistant, pre-PT advisor, or collegiate-level coach.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission. Please note, the GRE must be taken within five years prior to the time of application. GRE scores must be received by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete. Our program "superscores" the GRE if multiple attempts have been taken.
- An on-campus interview by invitation only.
- If admitted, a background check is required prior to matriculation. Our program participates in the PTCAS Background Check process through Certiphi Screening.
Additional International Requirements
- Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
- Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
- Sponsor's Guarantee Form
- Valid Passport
- Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****
** (discount available), , , or or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.
*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.
**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.
Application materials should be submitted electronically via PTCAS.
Applicants failing to meet all of these minimum requirements will not be considered for admission to the School of Physical Therapy. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an applicant interview or admission to the program. All applicants and admitted students to the School of Physical Therapy must certify in writing that they are able to perform certain Essential Functions in order to participate and complete program requirements.
Approximately, thirty-six (36) students will be admitted to the School of Physical Therapy each year.
- GPA Calculation Spreadsheet
- Clinical Observation Form
- FAQ for DPT Admissions
- Essential Function Requirements Form
Don't forget to send all GRE results directly to »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË using the GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 4525.
Prerequisite Requirements
No more than two prerequisite courses may be in progress during the spring semester prior to »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË School of Physical Therapy’s start date. Courses older than ten years will not be accepted.
| Minimum Required Semester Hours | Prerequisite Courses | Acceptable Courses | »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Course Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Total Semester Hours | General Biology I with Lab | Cell Biology or General Biology I | BIO 1500 – Biology I: Biological Essentials |
| 4 Total Semester Hours | General Biology II with Lab | Cell, Embryology, General Biology II, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular, Zoology, Botany. | BIO 1600 – Biology II: Biological Diversity |
| 4 Total Semester Hours | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab OR Human Anatomy with Lab | Human Anatomy and Physiology I OR Human Anatomy **Either option MUST be completed in biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department |
BIO 2215 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
| 4 Total Semester Hours | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab OR Human Physiology with Lab | Human Anatomy and Physiology II OR Human Physiology **Either option MUST be completed in biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department |
BIO 2216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
| 4 Total Semester Hours | General Chemistry I with Lab | General Chemistry I | CHE 1111 – Principles of Chemistry I |
| 4 Total Semester Hours | General Chemistry II with Lab | General Chemistry II, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, OR Organic Chemistry | CHE 1112 – Principles of Chemistry II OR CHE 2221 Organic Chemistry I |
| 4 Semester Hours | Physics I with Lab | Physics I | PHY 2010 – General Physics I (algebra based) and PHY 2051 – General Physics Lab I OR PHY 2110 General Physics I (calculus based) and PHY 2051 General Physics Lab I |
| 4 Semester Hours | Physics II with Lab | Physics II | PHY 2020 – General Physics II (algebra based) and PHY 2052 – General Physics Lab II OR PHY 2120 General Physics II (calculus based) and PHY 2052 General Physics Lab II |
| 3 Semester Hours | General Psychology | General Psychology | PSY 1106 – Psychology and The Social World |
| 3 Semester Hours | Additional Psychology course | Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Lifespan Development, etc. must be taken in the Psychology department | PSY 2209 – Developmental Psychology OR refer to current »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Academic Handbook for other courses in the Psychology department |
| 3 Semester Hours | Statistics | Math Statistics, Biostatistics, OR Psychology Statistics – but course must include both descriptive and inferential statistics | MAT 2022 Elementary Statistics; MAT 2032 Biostatistics; PSY 2210 – Tests and Measurements |
Coursework Petitions
An applicant can petition any of their previous coursework for acceptance to the School of Physical Therapy Admissions Committee utilizing the following procedure:
-
An applicant writes a formal letter to the School of Physical Therapy. The letter and any supporting documentation should be submitted as an attachment to an email to »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËDPTAdmissions@flsouthern.edu.
- Supporting documentation may include items such as course syllabi, course assignments, and letters from the course instructor. The GPA calculation spreadsheet (available via the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË website) must be included for Last 60 and Prerequisite GPA completed to date.
- Note: Only the formal letter and accompanying attachments will be reviewed. Any requests made in the body of an email will not be considered for review
- The letter and any attachments will be presented to the Admission Committee at the next meeting (meetings typically convene every 2 weeks, however, this depends on the time of year).
- Each letter is reviewed by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis and a decision will be communicated to the applicant via email.
If you have questions about how your individual coursework applies to our policy, please contact us at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËDPTAdmissions@flsouthern.edu for further review.
Course Delivery
Curriculum
Year 1
Fall - 18 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7110 | Human Anatomy for Physical Therapy - 6 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7120 | Kinesiology/Biomechanics for Physical Therapy - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7130 | Physical Therapy Clinical Assessment I - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7140 | Pathophysiology for Physical Therapy - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7150 | Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice I - 1 Credit Hour |
| DPT 7160 | Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) I - 2 Credit Hours |
| Information Hour I - 0 Credit Hours |
Spring - 16 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7210 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I - 5 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7220 | Physical Therapy Clinical Assessment II - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7260 | Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) II - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7270 | Neuroscience for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7290 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I - 4 Credit Hours |
| Information Hour II - 0 Credit Hours |
Summer 1 - 8 Credit Hours (8 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7340 | Pharmacology for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7360 | Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) III - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7370 | Acute Care Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7390 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
Summer 2 - 6 Credit Hours (6 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7330 | Administration for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7350 | Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice II - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7380 | Physical Therapy Clinical Education Theory - 1 Credit Hour |
| DPT 7395 | Applied Therapeutic Interventions for Physical Therapy - 1 Credit Hours |
Year 2
Fall 1 - 10 Credit Hours (10 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7480 | Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum I - 10 Credit Hours |
Fall 2 - 5 Credit Hours (5 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7410 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II - 4 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7460 | Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) IV - 1 Credit Hour |
Spring - 18 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7510 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II - 4 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7520 | Geriatric Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7530 | Pediatric Physical Therapy - 4 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7540 | Advanced Clinical Lifespan Problem Solving - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7550 | Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice III - 3 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7560 | Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) V - 1 Credit Hour |
| DPT 7570 | NPTE Review - 1 Credit Hour |
| Information Hour V - 0 Credit Hours |
Summer - 12 Credit Hours (10 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7680 | Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum II - 12 Credit Hours |
Year 3
Fall - 15 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DPT 7780 | Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum III - 14 Credit Hours |
| DPT 7790 | Physical Therapy Seminar - 1 Credit Hour |
Program Total - 108 hours
Program Costs
2024-2025
Total Estimated Costs (28 months)
- Actual tuition paid at the beginning of each semester is based on $995 per credit hour.
- For a curriculum breakdown to estimate semester costs, please reference the DPT Program Curriculum.
- Review the Financial Aid and Payment Information worksheet. Please note, that the semester budget includes non-direct cost estimates, including room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. This provides students the option to borrow additional aid to cover non-direct expenses.
External Scholarships and Resources
American Academy of Physical Therapy
Up to $2,500
American Business Clubs (AMBUCS)
Up to $6,000
Daughters of the American Revolution Physical / Occupational Therapy Scholarship
Up to $2,000
Employee Incentive Scholarship Program
Up to $40,000 over 3 years
Additional Resources
Meet our Faculty
Physical Therapy
Christine Morgan, PT, DPT, SCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 220
863.680.4679
Elizabeth Kuba, PT, DPT
Director of Clinical Education and Community Engagement
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 216
863.680.4952
Jose Dominguez, PT, Ph.D., OCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 219
863.680.4716
Lauren Wilson, PT, DPT, GCS
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 222
863.680.4525
Maria J. Torres-Palsa, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 223
863.680.4715
Nancy A. Nuzzo, PT, Ph.D.
Dean
Program Director
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 224
863.680.5126
Ray Vanwye, PT, DPT, Ph.D., CCS
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 217
863.680.4714
Tyler Love, PT, DPT, OCS, MBA
Assistant Director of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
PTCAS Faculty Lead
Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 215
863.680.4719
Related Materials
What is the timeline to know if I’m accepted into the program?
We will have multiple interview dates with our first interview being in January and our final interview session being in the late Spring semester. Initial offers will be made in late spring and we will continue to make offers until the class size is filled. This will vary per year but is typically in March and May.
Are there any additional costs associated with the DPT program?
- Cost for Tuition for the 28-month program*: $105,300 (actual tuition paid at the beginning of each semester based on $975 per credit hour.)
- Books and Supplies: $4,500
- Room: $28,000 (based on $1,000/month for 28 months)
- Board: $11,200 (based on $400/month)
- Transportation**: $5,000
- Misc/Personal: $3,150
- Background Check for Clinical Sites***: $250
- Estimated Total Cost of the Program: $157,400
*Tuition paid at the beginning of each year.
**Estimated transportation costs may vary for student clinical education practicum based on the clinical site location.
***Estimated according to clinical site requirement.
What sets your program apart from other DPT programs?
One of the innovative parts of our curriculum is the Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE). The purpose of the IPCE course series is to provide students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned during didactic coursework while meeting essential community needs.
On a weekly basis, all of our students will provide volunteer services at one of four community organizations the program partners with. This is a unique opportunity that exposes the students to work with patients/clients across the life span within the environment in which they live, work, and age, and it better prepares them to deliver physical therapy services that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and evolving society.
Do you have any out of state clinical opportunities?
Yes, we have clinical agreements with many states throughout the United States. Additionally, if you have a specific area or location that you would like for your clinical practicum, we are very open to facilitating a new agreement that would be a good fit for the program and the student. Please feel free to discuss this more with our Director of Clinical Education, Dr. Elizabeth Kuba (863-680-4952 or »Ê¼Ò»ªÈËDPTClinicalEd@flsouthern.edu).
How many people apply each year?
While each admission cycle varies, we typically have a range of 400 to 800 applicants apply to our program.
Program Contact
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