Quick Facts
Degree Level
Doctoral DegreeGPA Requirement
Minimum 3.00 required to applyApplication Deadline
December 1 (preferred)February 1 (final)
Program Start
Summer TrimesterAdmits per Intake
23Accreditation
View Accreditation StatementAbout the Program
The Profession
Physical therapists (PTs) are highly educated, licensed healthcare professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility. They examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, physical therapists develop fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.
The Program
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares graduates to become licensed physical therapists. The program uses a selective admission process to identify a new group of students to begin study annually in the 3-year DPT program. The curriculum, grounded in Christian principles, builds on the students' undergraduate foundation in the arts and sciences. It includes 124 graduate-level credits during which students progress through and integrate foundational and clinical sciences, patient/client management skills, and ultimately, the provision of person-centered care.
Program Mission
Consistent with the values of ADU, the program prepares Doctors of Physical Therapy who promote holistic, person-centered care and wellness through evidence-based practice, leadership, life-long learning, scholarship, and service to local and global communities.
Employment Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for physical therapy will come from the aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life, but are more susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy. In addition, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.” The median salary for a physical therapist is $85,400 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting. For more information on the physical therapy profession or the education required to become a physical therapist, please visit the American Physical Therapy Association's website at www.apta.org/ProspectiveStudents.
To get a real sense of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at ADU, you just have to see it. Here's where it all happens.
To get a real sense of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at ADU, you just have to see it. Here's where it all happens.