Program Overview

Overview of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The University of Toledo's accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program focuses on practical skills and what it takes to thrive in a professional healthcare environment. The program can be completed in just three years or eight semesters, including summers.

Top Reasons to Study Physical Therapy

• Maximum value: Enhance your education with specialties in pediatrics, sports, or other areas.
• Comprehensive, cutting-edge facilities: Learn in classrooms and labs on Main Campus and the Health Science Campus.
• Highly qualified faculty: All faculty members are licensed physical therapists with advanced degrees or board-certified clinical specializations.
• Professional preparation: Complete a professional development plan portfolio that requires joining the American Physical Therapy Association, attending professional conferences, and providing community service.
• Collaborate with other healthcare students: Participate in UToledo's interprofessional education program and work on teams with students from other healthcare professional programs.

Program Details

The mission of the D.P.T. program is to prepare students to be leaders in contemporary practice and improve the human condition and profession. The program includes:

• 36 weeks of comprehensive clinical experiences
• Learning to treat all kinds of clients, from babies and aging adults to people with chronic conditions
• Developing clinical, communication, and interprofessional skills in a high-tech, realistic learning environment
• Studying at a University with a teaching hospital and cutting-edge medical facilities

Faculty Expertise

Faculty members in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program have clinical, teaching, and/or research expertise in areas such as:

• Diabetes and glucose metabolism
• Orthopaedics
• Management of headaches
• Pediatrics
• Neurology

Career Opportunities

UToledo D.P.T. alumni are well-prepared for management and leadership roles. The majority of D.P.T. graduates who pass the national licensure exam enter clinical practice in facilities such as:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Home-health agencies
• Skilled-nursing facilities
• Rehabilitation centers Graduates also become private-practice owners, business partners, and entrepreneurs.

Internship Opportunities

UToledo D.P.T. students are required to complete 36 weeks of clinical education experiences in a variety of practice settings. They also must travel outside Toledo for at least one of those experiences. The university has more than 150 clinical sites at local and national companies in almost all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska.