Physical Therapy, Doctor of

Saint Louis University's program in physical therapy offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree.

There are three paths of entry into the SLU program.

  • Early-assurance, freshman-entry: The early-assurance pathway is a six-year curriculum, including two summers. Students admitted receive a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - Physical Therapy (B.S.E.S.-P.T.) concentration after successfully completing the first four years of coursework, and the D.P.T. degree after completing the additional two post-baccalaureate years. 

  • Early-assurance, undergraduate transfer: The undergraduate transfer pathway allows students to transfer into the program as an undergraduate student from within or outside of Saint Louis University. 

  • Post-baccalaureate: The post-baccalaureate pathway allows students who have already earned an undergraduate bachelor's degree to enter as a professional-phase student for three years of graduate coursework, including two summers.

Physical therapists work with people across the lifespan to optimize movement and improve health. Physical therapists are responsible for examining and evaluating patients/clients, the development and implementation of intervention programs, patient education and supervising other health care practitioners. In addition to patient care, physical therapists may also serve as administrators, teachers, researchers and consultants.

Program Financial Fact Sheet

Program Highlights

Advantages of earning a D.P.T. at SLU include:

  • Direct admission to the program as a freshman
    • Undergraduate transfer and post-baccalaureate transfer are both possible
  • Opportunities to pursue additional curricular goals such as minors, including interprofessional education, certificates and study abroad programs
  • Physical therapy pro bono clinic providing integrated curricular and volunteer opportunities for students while serving people from the local community
  • Clinical education placements across diverse settings and geographic locations
  • Highly qualified and accessible faculty
  • State-of-the-art laboratories and clinical equipment

Curriculum Overview

SLU's PT early-assurance curriculum is divided into pre-professional and professional phases. Progression to the professional phase of the program provides a seamless entry from foundational coursework to practical labs and clinical experiences.

Once accepted into the program, a student progresses through the entire program without needing to reapply or take a graduate entrance exam, provided the student meets the program's academic and professional behavior standards.

During the professional phase, students enroll in coursework specific to the physical therapy profession and complete 38 weeks of full-time clinical experiences. Students begin their clinical experiences in the spring of year four with DPT 5290 Skills Practicum (0-1 cr).

Elective courses in the physical therapy curriculum and clinical exposure help students gain advanced knowledge and skills in specialty areas. In addition to the PT curriculum, undergraduate students are required to complete a minor of their choosing and a concentration in Interprofessional Education (IPE).

Upon graduation, students must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to obtain a license to practice physical therapy.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

SLU's program in physical therapy is affiliated with more than 250 clinical sites locally, nationally and internationally.

The faculty and clinical staff provide clinical services at a variety of locations including the pro bono clinics, Saint Louis University Physical Therapy Clinic at Student Health, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, consultative services for senior Jesuits and the SLUCare Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic.

Careers

Graduates from SLU's PT program enjoy employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term rehabilitation facilities, collegiate and professional sports, schools, patient homes and fitness centers.

Physical therapists typically work in full-time positions and receive benefits. The 2022 median annual wage of physical therapists was $97,720 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specific salary depends on location and experience level.

Graduates of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program report a 100% employment rate within the profession within one year of graduation.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Applicants

Every application to the program in Physical Therapy for admission is reviewed on an individual basis.  

For the freshman-entry admission, the best qualified high school seniors are selected from the application pool with a required minimum high school GPA of 3.2 on a 4.00 scale, with an emphasis on math and science.

The following high school courses are required for admission:

  • One year of biology and one year of chemistry

  • College prep courses equivalent to algebra, geometry, advanced algebra and/or trigonometry.

Strong applicants will have:

  • Four years of math, including a course equivalent to pre-calculus

  • Four years of science, including physics and anatomy/physiology

  • Activities demonstrating leadership and community service

  • An interest in the profession of physical therapy as demonstrated through observation, school activities, or personal experience

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

The deadline for completed physical therapy applications and financial aid consideration for all freshmen applicants is Dec. 1.
 

Transfer Applicants

General Information

As space allows, students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as internal change major (enrolled in another program at SLU) or external (enrolled at another college or university) transfer students.

Students must apply by October 1 to be considered for spring admission or March 1 for fall admission. 

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in required science coursework
  • Completion of a minimum of 1 required science course/sequence as listed below:
  • In addition to the application, applicants must submit a personal statement describing interest in physical therapy as a profession. Internal transfer students will submit the personal statement to the academic advisor for Physical Therapy. External transfer applicants will submit the personal statement to transfer@slu.edu.
  • Internal transfer students who are academically eligible meet with the physical therapy academic advisor to review applicant qualifications and the application process. Qualified applicants who submit paperwork to change their major prior to the deadline will be reviewed by the program in Physical Therapy admissions committee.
  • External transfer students can review course equivalency information here. 

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Post-Baccalaureate Applicants

General Information

As space allows, students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as a post-baccalaureate student.

Students must apply by November 1 to be considered for summer admission. Classes start mid-May.

Application Requirements

  • Official transcript(s)
  • Personal statement describing interest in physical therapy as a profession
  • Service and leadership experiences
  • Recommendation letter

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 2.7 GPA in required science coursework
  • All previous coursework must have been completed within the last 10 years
  • D or F grades for prerequisites are not accepted
  • At the time of application, no more than 2 prerequisite courses may be outstanding. The full list of prerequisites (and credits) are below:

    • General Biology with a lab or Animal Biology with a lab (4)*

    • Second Biology with a lab (4)* Not Botany

    • Chemistry I with lab (4)*
    • Chemistry II with lab (4)*
    • Physics I with lab (4)*
    • Physics II with lab (4)*
    • Human Anatomy (3)*
    • Human Physiology (4)*
    • Exercise Physiology (3)*
    • General Psychology (3)
    • Second Psychology (3)
    • Statistics (3)

NOTE: Anatomy and Physiology I* & II* can be taken in place of Human Physiology and Basic Human Anatomy.

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. *Included in science GPA calculation. 

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

  • You must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
  • Proof of financial support must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition 

Tuition/Fee Per Semester Per Credit
Doctor of Physical Therapy (12 or more credits) $23,610
Doctor of Physical Therapy (less than 12 credits) $1,650

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers scholarships to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.
  • Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

The Program in Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE).

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
703-706-3245
accreditation@apta.org
http://www.capteonline.org
If you need to contact SLU's program directly, please call 314-977-8505 or email sluptat@health.slu.edu. 

For more information about the SLU physical therapy program's outcomes, matriculation rate, graduate rate, employment rate, NPTE pass rates and technical standards, please see the additional accreditation information (PDF).

View Additional Accreditation Information (PDF)

Complaint Policy and Instructions (PDF)

Technical Standards (PDF)

  1. Graduates will be able to serve others by advocating for the health of society.
  2. Graduates will be able to communicate in a way that optimizes patient-centered care.
  3. Graduates will be able to apply principles of evidence-based practice in patient care.
  4. Graduates will be able to evaluate typical versus atypical physical movement.

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Requirements

Physical Therapy Requirements (for students admitted as freshman or admitted as transfer undergraduate students after completion of the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, physical therapy concentration requirements)

DPT 5123Clinical Gait2
DPT 5134Multi System Management3
DPT 5135Cardiopulmonary Conditions3
DPT 5137Aspects of Nutrition2
DPT 5142Evidence Based Practice2
DPT 5149Applied Neuroscience2
DPT 5162Musculoskeletal Conditions II4
DPT 5215Professional Development I2
DPT 5218Effective Communication and Teaching3
DPT 5251Neurological Conditions I4
DPT 5263Musculoskeletal Conditions III4
DPT 5271Patient Management I3
DPT 5291Clinical Experience IA2
DPT 6072Patient Management II1
DPT 6077Department Administration2
DPT 6091Clinical Experience IB2
DPT 6092Clinical Experience IIA2
DPT 6116Professional Development II2
DPT 6124Biomechanical Interventions3
DPT 6138Concepts of Wellness1
DPT 6152Neurological Conditions II2
DPT 6164Musculoskeletal Conditions IV3
DPT 6173Patient Management III2
DPT 6178Applied Administration and Management2
DPT 6192Clinical Experience IIB2
DPT 6293Clinical Experience III3
DPT 6294Clinical Experience IV3
Total Credits66

Physical Therapy Requirements (for students admitted with a bachelors degree)

ANAT 4000Human Gross Anatomy5
ANAT 4300AHP Neurosciences4
EXSC 5121Clinical Biomechanics3
DPT 5123Clinical Gait2
DPT 5125Therapeutic Modalities3
DPT 5127Basic Examination3
DPT 5130System-Based Pathology4
DPT 5134Multi System Management3
DPT 5135Cardiopulmonary Conditions3
DPT 5137Aspects of Nutrition2
DPT 5142Evidence Based Practice2
DPT 5147Human Growth and Development3
DPT 5149Applied Neuroscience2
DPT 5162Musculoskeletal Conditions II4
DPT 5215Professional Development I2
DPT 5218Effective Communication and Teaching3
DPT 5222Kinesiology3
DPT 5226Therapeutic Exercise2
EXSC 5241Clinical Research and Design2
DPT 5228Basic Procedures2
DPT 5240Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions4
DPT 5290Skills Practicum1
DPT 5251Neurological Conditions I4
DPT 5263Musculoskeletal Conditions III4
DPT 5271Patient Management I3
DPT 5291Clinical Experience IA2
DPT 6072Patient Management II1
DPT 6077Department Administration2
DPT 6091Clinical Experience IB2
DPT 6092Clinical Experience IIA2
DPT 6192Clinical Experience IIB2
DPT 6116Professional Development II2
DPT 6124Biomechanical Interventions3
DPT 6138Concepts of Wellness1
DPT 6152Neurological Conditions II2
DPT 6164Musculoskeletal Conditions IV3
DPT 6173Patient Management III2
DPT 6178Applied Administration and Management2
DPT 6293Clinical Experience III3
DPT 6294Clinical Experience IV3
Total Credits105

Continuation Standards

For a complete list of GPA and professional behavior continuation standards, see the Program in Physical Therapy Student Handbook on the program's web page. Students must earn a C or better in all required courses with a DPT, EXSC, and IPE prefix. Students must earn a C or better in all required ANAT courses at the 4000 level and above. For clinical education courses in the professional phase, an S (satisfactory) grade is required.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Pre-Professional Phase  
BIOL 1240
& BIOL 1245		 General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory		 4
CHEM 1080
& CHEM 1085		 Principles of Chemistry 1 Lecture
and Principles of Chemistry 1 Lab		 4
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy (satisfies CORE 1700) 3
DPT 1111 Self and Community in PT (satisfies CORE 1500) 1
ENGL 1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies CORE 1900) 3
 Credits15
Spring
BIOL 1260
& BIOL 1265		 General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory		 4
CHEM 1480
& CHEM 1485		 Principles of Chemistry 2 Lecture
and Principles of Chemistry 2 Lab		 4
DPT 1212 Fueling the Fire, Discovering Your Passion (satisfies CORE 1000) 2
MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus 3
CORE 1200 Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (satisfies CORE 1200) 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
IPE 2100 Interprofessional Collaboration and Healthcare in Global Context 3
PHYS 1220
& PHYS 1235		 General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab		 4
PPY 2540 Human Physiology 4
PSY 1010 General Psychology 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
 Credits17
Spring
ANAT 1000 Basic Human Anatomy 3
DPT 2213 Professionalism and Physical Therapy Thought (satisfies CORE 2500) 1
IPE 4200 Applied Decision-Making in Interprofessional Practice 3
PHYS 1240
& PHYS 1255		 General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab		 4
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
 Credits17
Year Three
Fall
Participation in Study Abroad Optional  
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
CORE 2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression 2-3
CORE 3400 Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture 3
PHIL 2050
or HCE 2010
 Ethics
or Foundations in Clinical Health Care Ethics
 3
PSY 3460 Abnormal Psychology 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
 Credits17-18
Spring
EXSC 3230 Exercise Physiology 3
IPE 4900 Interprofessional Community Practicum (satisfies CORE 4000) 3
STAT 1100 Introduction to Statistics 3
DPT 3214 Reflections on the Core and the Future 1
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
XXXXElective (for minor) 3
 Credits16
Year Four
Summer
Professional Phase  
ANAT 4000 Human Gross Anatomy 5
 Credits5
Fall
EXSC 5121 Clinical Biomechanics 3
DPT 5125 Therapeutic Modalities 3
DPT 5127 Basic Examination 3
DPT 5130 System-Based Pathology 4
DPT 5147 Human Growth and Development 3
 Credits16
Spring
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - PT awarded upon completion of Semester Eight  
ANAT 4300 AHP Neurosciences 4
DPT 5222 Kinesiology 3
DPT 5226 Therapeutic Exercise 2
DPT 5228 Basic Procedures 2
EXSC 5241 Clinical Research and Design 2
DPT 5240 Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions 4
DPT 5290 Skills Practicum 1
 Credits18
Year Five
Fall
DPT 5123 Clinical Gait 2
DPT 5134 Multi System Management 3
DPT 5135 Cardiopulmonary Conditions 3
DPT 5137 Aspects of Nutrition 2
DPT 5142 Evidence Based Practice 2
DPT 5149 Applied Neuroscience 2
DPT 5162 Musculoskeletal Conditions II 4
 Credits18
Spring
DPT 5215 Professional Development I 2
DPT 5218 Effective Communication and Teaching 3
DPT 5251 Neurological Conditions I 4
DPT 5263 Musculoskeletal Conditions III 4
DPT 5271 Patient Management I 3
DPT 5291 Clinical Experience IA 2
 Credits18
Year Six
Summer
DPT 6072 Patient Management II 1
DPT 6077 Department Administration 2
DPT 6091 Clinical Experience IB 2
DPT 6092 Clinical Experience IIA 2
 Credits7
Fall
DPT 6116 Professional Development II 2
DPT 6124 Biomechanical Interventions 3
DPT 6138 Concepts of Wellness 1
DPT 6152 Neurological Conditions II 2
DPT 6164 Musculoskeletal Conditions IV 3
DPT 6173 Patient Management III 2
DPT 6178 Applied Administration and Management 2
DPT 618XPhysical Therapy Elective (optional) 0-1
DPT 6192 Clinical Experience IIB 2
 Credits17-18
Spring
Doctor of Physical Therapy awarded upon completion of Semester 12  
DPT 6293 Clinical Experience III 3
DPT 6294 Clinical Experience IV 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits203-205

Program Notes

The six-year curriculum is divided into the pre-professional (years one through three) and the professional phase (years four through six). Year four represents the final year of the baccalaureate degree for freshman-entry or pre-professional-phase transfer students and first year of the professional phase for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Progression to the professional phase of the program provides a seamless entry from foundational coursework to practical labs and clinical experiences. The post-baccalaureate curriculum is the coursework outlined in years four through six. 

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu