Program Overview

Introduction to the Physical Therapy Doctorate (DPT) in Phoenix

Creighton Universitys health sciences programs are renowned for innovation, collaborative care, and service to others. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in Phoenix, established in 2022, aims to support the underserved in a growing city facing a healthcare shortage. It builds upon the success of the established sibling program in Omaha, sharing a common mission, commitment to excellence, service, and curriculum.

Program Details

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program begins each year in August and is eight semesters long, spread over three calendar years, including summer terms. The program is focused on education, research, and service to the community, fostering a collaborative learning environment where students can become change agents who make a positive impact.

Core Professional Abilities

The program emphasizes continuous personal and professional development, with the expectation that students embrace accountability, integrity, and social responsibility. Guided by these values, students will be able to communicate effectively while demonstrating respect and cultural sensitivity. They will develop deeper critical thinking skills, allowing them to gather, interpret, and evaluate data to make sound clinical decisions.

Physical Therapy Care Abilities

By gaining these abilities, which span from initial patient examination to final outcomes, students will be able to deliver effective and responsive care. Through the course of the program, they will learn to:

• Conduct detailed patient interviews to gather medical history, perform physical assessments, and interpret the findings to develop precise diagnoses and prognoses.
• Develop personalized intervention plans, including managing care activities and overseeing delegated tasks, in alignment with diagnoses, prognoses, and patient expectations.
• Monitor and evaluate patient progress, so care can be adjusted as needed.
• Navigate the broader healthcare systemand adapt to healthcare policiesin service of contributing to the health of diverse populations and the community as a whole.

Admission Requirements

To apply, please submit an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The service begins accepting applications in June. Before completing the application, make sure you have reviewed the program prerequisites and be prepared to provide:

• An official transcript from each institution you have attended (or are currently attending).
• A letter of recommendation from a licensed physical therapist.
• Two additional letters of recommendation; preferably, one should be from a college professoror someone from a work setting if you have been out of school for some timewho can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program.
• Proof of a minimum of 60 hours of observation supervised by a licensed physical therapist.

Prerequisites

For admission into the DPT programs at Creighton University, you must meet the following academic requirements:

• A history of strong academic performance.
• The completion of the following courses with a C grade or higher by August 1 of the desired year of entry:
  • General Biology I & II with labs.
  • General Chemistry I & II with labs.
  • General Physics I & II with labs.
  • Human or Mammalian Physiology.
  • Human Anatomy.
  • English, including Composition.
  • Statistics.
  • Electives.

Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees vary during the programs three-year period. Estimated costs can be found on the financial aid website and include both direct costs billed by Creighton each semester (tuition and fees) and indirect costs, such as personal housing.

Admitted Student Scholarship Opportunities

All qualified DPT candidates will automatically be considered for scholarships at the time of the admission decision; no additional application is required. Candidates will be considered based on overall grade point average, prerequisite math and science grade point average, quality of admission essays, interview performance, and participation in service and leadership.

Clinical Education

The Creighton University clinical education experience is rooted in developing clinical reasoning skills; applying theory and general principles; and taking deliberate and moral action to provide optimal care. Students will participate in community-based activities and events focused on promoting good health. In the third semester, students will begin their first clinical experiences, which will align with their own Clinical Education Plans.

Integrated Professional Practice Experiences

Students in the DPT program will complete four full-time professional practice clinical education experiences for a total of 44 weeks of experiential education, providing ample opportunities to learn in the field.

International Opportunities

Enrolled students can take a hands-on approach to supporting underserved patient populations through the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program. The program provides DPT students with four weeks of clinical education in the Dominican Republic.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Creighton University Phoenix Health Sciences Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Program Outcomes

Phoenix Program

• Graduation Rate: 100% (2025)
• National Licensure Examination - First Time Pass Rate: 80.5% (2025)
• National Licensure Examination - Ultimate Pass Rate: 97.6% (2025)
• Employment Rate (within 1 year of graduation): 100% (2025)

State Licensure

The physical therapy programs within the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions meet the appropriate and relevant degree requirements for licensure for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.