The University of Delaware offers a DPT program that is rated fourth in the US, according to the university's website. Students in the DPT program can take advantage of three on-campus physical therapy clinics that give students the opportunity to gain experience with diverse patient populations, including children, the elderly and professional athletes. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, three recommendations and at least 100 hours of physical therapy experience; 50 of those hours must have been completed at the time the application is submitted. Prospective students must have completed courses including statistics, calculus, chemistry, physics and biology with a minimum grade of "C" prior to enrolling in the program. The DPT degree takes three years to complete and includes courses in anatomy, physiology and community health, as well as physical therapy specialty areas such as orthopedics and geriatrics. Students also participate in required internships and clinical experiences. The degree is designed to be completed in 2.5 years.
University of Delaware
210 South College Avenue
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-2792
udel.edu
Students in the DPT program at Emory University can complete the degree in three years. Degree candidates are required to complete 36 weeks of internship experience. The curriculum includes courses in wellness and prevention, anatomy, rehabilitation of children and adults, and medical screening. Prospective students must have completed courses in anatomy, physics and statistics prior to enrolling in the program. They submit standardized test scores, three recommendations, three essays and proof of completion of at least 30 hours of physical therapy experience. Admitted students begin clinical experiences during the second semester on a one-day-per-week basis. Students can also complete an MBA or MPH (master of public health) degree concurrently with the DPT degree.
Emory University
Division of Physical Therapy
1462 Clifton Road N.E., Suite 312
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-712-5660
rehabmed.emory.edu
Boston University notes on its website that as of 2010, it boasted a 100 percent pass rate on the physical therapy licensing exam for its DPT program graduates during the previous five years. The three-year program is open to students who meet admission requirements that include scores of at least 400 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) and completion of prerequisite courses including chemistry, psychology, physics, statistics and biology with a GPA of at least 3.0. The DPT curriculum covers topics such as anatomy, human movement, clinical experience and health promotion and wellness. Students can select from several specialties for their full-time clinical experiences, including sports medicine and pediatrics.
Boston University
College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
635 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-2720
bu.edu
Columbia University's three-year DPT program trains students in several domains, including scientific foundations, clinical science and professional development. The curriculum covers topics such as pharmacology, marketing and business management, and treatment of pediatric, geriatric, and orthopedic patients. Applicants must have completed prerequisite courses including biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and psychology. Prospective students must have at least 75 hours of physical therapy experience and be certified in CPR and first aid. During the final year of the program, students can select from specialty tracks in orthopedics, women's health or chronic pain.
Columbia University
Program in Physical Therapy
Neurological Institute, 8th Floor
710 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
cumc.columbia.edu