Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Creighton University is designed to prepare students for a career in physical therapy. The program is focused on education, research, and service to the community, and it begins each year in August. It is eight semesters long, spread throughout three calendar years, including summer terms.

Program Details

The program aims to foster a collaborative learning environment where students can become change agents who make a positive impact. Students will develop not only the scientifically grounded clinical reasoning skills to become entry-level physical therapists but also the adaptability and thoughtfulness to practice healthcare with social accountability.

Core Professional Abilities

The program emphasizes continuous personal and professional development, with the expectation that students will embrace accountability, integrity, and social responsibility. Guided by these values, students will be able to communicate effectively while demonstrating respect and cultural sensitivity.

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, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 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
• Proof of a minimum of 60 hours of observation supervised by a licensed physical therapist

Prerequisites

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

• A history of strong academic performance
• Completion of the following courses with a C grade or higher:
  • 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 program's three-year period. Estimated costs can be found in the Cost & Aid section and include both direct costs billed by Creighton each semester (tuition and fees) as well as 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.

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.

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.

Specialization Tracks

These specialization tracks create opportunities for physical therapy students to gain knowledge and practical experiences in areas of physical therapy beyond the required curriculum. They are designed to prepare students for advanced career opportunities, residency education, or the pursuit of an advanced degree.

Sports Specialization Track

The Sports Specialization Track includes electives and specialty experiences focused on addressing the acute and clinical management of sports-related injuries, referral and return-to-activity decisions, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.

Research Specialization Track

The Research Specialization Track is focused on scientific inquiry in rehabilitation science. It includes opportunities for participation in a seminar series exploring critical questions, problems, and contemporary issues in rehabilitation research.

Womens Health Specialization Track

The Womens Health Specialization Track provides electives and specialty experiences related to pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic health. Students will gain experience in assessing and treating womens health conditions, as well as the opportunity to explore critical issues and questions in this specialty patient population.

Accreditation

The DPT Program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

PT Program Outcomes

• Graduation Rate: 99%
• National Licensure Examination - First Time Pass Rate: 89.1%
• National Licensure Examination - Ultimate Pass Rate: 98%
• Employment Rate (within 1 year of graduation): 100%

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.