Program Overview

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Overview:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Marist College offers a unique pathway to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Accepted Marist students who qualify can gain direct entry into the accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This encompasses a 4+3 year academic program with two options:

• Complete a Bachelor's degree at Marist and enter the DPT program in January of the following year.
• Complete a Bachelor's degree in 3.5 years and graduate following the fall semester. Immediately enter the DPT Program in the spring semester (January).

Admission Requirements:

Students must meet the following requirements for early acceptance into the Physical Therapy program:

• First-Year Students: Minimum High School GPA of 90 with some Honors/AP/IB courses.
• Currently Enrolled Marist Undergraduates: Minimum GPA 3.2; must apply no later than the completion of their third year of undergraduate studies.

Application Process:

Students who document their intention to attend the DPT program upon completion of their bachelor's degree at Marist College will be assigned a faculty mentor in the DPT program. The student and faculty mentor will meet at least two times annually throughout their undergraduate experience. Students will be guaranteed acceptance into the Marist College DPT program provided they meet the following criteria:

• Input an application in The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), for data collection purposes only.
• Earn their baccalaureate degree at the time they begin classes in the DPT program (January).
• Graduate from Marist College with a 3.2 cumulative GPA or higher.
• Earn a 3.2 GPA for the DPT program science prerequisite courses with no grade below "C".
• Submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from a Marist College faculty member).
• Complete and document Clinical Observation Hours in PTCAS (minimum of 40 hours, preferably in at least two settings).
• Attend all required meetings with designated faculty mentor.

About the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Marist is accredited by CAPTE and will prepare students for a successful career in the rapidly expanding field of Physical Therapy.

Facilities:

The Marist DPT facility is housed in the Allied Health Science building, which includes:

• A physical therapy skills lab.
• A research lab.
• A technologically advanced suite of clinical simulation labs, including trauma, surgery, and traditional examination rooms.
• A full gross anatomy laboratory that supports the learning experience.

Accreditation Status:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Program Performance:

Graduates of this program have seen tremendous success in turning their passion for helping others into meaningful careers in physical therapy.

Path to DPT:

The program offers a direct admit pathway, allowing students to earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in a 4+3 year academic program.