Doctor of Physical Therapy at Simmons University
See what it's like to be part of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Graduate Program VideosThe Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Simmons University emphasizes professional experience.
In the Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT), students attend expert-led lectures, advance their technique in the skills laboratory, and participate in small-group discussions focused on clinical practice. Our students build their skills during full-time clinical internships, which are carefully selected to give students the opportunity to be mentored by experienced clinical practitioners in a variety of patient populations.
This 3-year, full-time program is designed for individuals who have completed three years of undergraduate work at Simmons or hold a bachelor's degree from another institution. Prospective students must also have completed the necessary physical therapy prerequisite work.
Students graduate ready to meet the challenges of the constantly evolving health care field. Our students go on to become dynamic leaders in physical therapy and excel in clinical practice in a variety of settings.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Simmons 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: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 617-521-2635 or email [email protected].
There are many physical therapy schools and programs to choose from—so what makes Simmons’ DPT program unique? The physical therapy department at Simmons facilitates a commitment to active life-long learning, leadership, advocacy, and service to others across a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic populations. Graduation rates are high, as are pass rates for the Student National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE.) To boot, Simmons is a stone’s throw away from some of the top teaching hospitals in the nation.
*with labs
See below for more information on prerequisite requirements.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists will grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026. In addition to projected job growth, the median annual wage for physical therapists was $86,850 in May 2017.
No matter where our graduates end up, they make a tremendous difference in the lives of their patients. DPTs ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further injury, and aid in returning patients to a quality of life that they once thought lost.
If you have questions about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Simmons, request more information! Or, you may contact the program via email.
For undergraduate students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy, look into our Exercise Science (BS) and Physical Therapy (DPT) accelerated 6-year program.
The following courses are required prior to application:
*with labs
The expectation is that applicants have a minimum 3.0 GPA in both their overall undergraduate and overall prerequisite GPAs. All courses must have been completed within ten years prior to the application deadline. All courses should be equal to one semester in length. Thus, two quarters may be required to equal one semester
Courses completed on a pass/fail or audited basis, and CLEP and AP scores are not accepted in lieu of these courses.
Two prerequisites may be outstanding for application eligibility, as long as they are completed in the spring semester before the start of the program in June.
A maximum of two prerequisites may have been retaken once, regardless of grades earned and whether or not the courses were re-taken at the same or different institution. Course titles may differ but if the content is the same, it is considered a repeat.
If you want to know if a particular course will meet our admission requirements, email the SNHS Office of Admission. Please provide the name and number of the course,where it was/will be offered and when. We will tell you if it is has been approved or if we need a course syllabus for further review. If we need a syllabus, please complete and submit the required form below. An evaluation of a course cannot be completed until we receive this form.
The DPT program educates future physical therapists as human movement system specialists who practice evidence-informed care that is holistic, inclusive, and equitable for all individuals and communities. The program cultivates a commitment to excellence, life-long learning, scientific inquiry, leadership, diversity, and advocacy through engaged citizenship.
A collaborative, innovative educational program that integrates academic excellence with rigorous career preparation, outstanding clinical experiences and research opportunities. A DPT program that is diverse in faculty and students, and that educates and prepares exceptional clinicians who are leaders in the field, advocates, and meaningful contributors to society.
Class | Graduation Rate |
---|---|
2021-2022 | 92.9% |
Class | First Time | Ultimate |
---|---|---|
2020-2021 | 96.0% | 100% |
(% of graduates who were employed as PTs within six months of graduation)
Class | Employment Rate |
---|---|
2021-2022 | 97.3% |
Clinical and research experience are a critical part of the DPT program. Clinical education provide students with opportunities for professional role modeling, observation, patient care and teaching in a wide variety of settings.
All DPT students complete a capstone research course, where you'll work in small groups on faculty-directed research or a systematic review to address a clinical practice question that you’ll share as a poster presentation for Simmons Physical Therapy Research Day.
Additionally we have a 733 square foot research laboratory that features:
Using the lab's technology, our faculty are working with students on a number of projects:
Details regarding the minimum qualifications to seek licensure in individual state’s can be found on the state physical therapy licensing board website.
State by State Licensure Information
Simmons University: College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences physical therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This program does meet the pre-licensing requirements for all states, the District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. At this time American Samoa, and Guam do not regulate the profession of physical therapy.
We recommend that you contact your respective state physical therapy licensing board to determine any other requirements for licensure (e.g. additional post-graduation examinations, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, etc.). It is important that you be aware of all such requirements and that you plan accordingly.
Ready to take the next step? We'll guide you through the requirements and deadlines — and get you started on your way.
See what it's like to be part of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Graduate Program Videos