Physical Therapy, DPT

Program Description                                                                

The rigorous 3-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program challenges and develops students year-round. A new class of DPT students are admitted each January, with completion of program requirements occurring in the Fall semester of the third year. In addition to classroom and lab based studies, DPT students will participate in Clinical Education experiences, consisting of a total of 36 weeks of rotations at four different clinical sites under the direct supervision of highly experienced and dynamic clinical instructors.

Mission

Winston-Salem State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares graduates who are knowledgeable movement clinicians, culturally humble, equity-minded, and service-oriented.

Vision

Winston-Salem State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program strives to move society towards optimal health by developing and empowering diverse leaders in physical therapy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will engage in critical inquiry to address questions related to contemporary physical therapy practice.
2. Students will be actively engaged in community outreach in medically underserved communities.
3. Students will successfully pass the Final Comp Exam at the end of the program.
4. Students will achieve entry-level physical therapy clinical performance in the areas of professionalism, communication, clinical reasoning, and overall safety.

Application Deadline

Transfer Credits

Degree Requirements

A total of one hundred twenty (120) credit hours and thirty-six (36) weeks of clinical education experience hours are required for completion of the DPT degree.

Minimum Grade Requirements

A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average must be maintained throughout the program.

Time Limits for Completion

The DPT degree may be conferred upon a student who has successfully completed all coursework and clinical internships. Completion of this work is scheduled to occur in December of the third year. The student is eligible to sit for the national licensure board examination immediately upon graduation from the program. The program is lock step and students must progress with their cohort to completion of the program in three years unless approved by the faculty and chair.

Progression Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout their matriculation in the DPT Program. Students must also pass an integrated comprehensive exam at the end of their first year and score a 70% or higher in order to progress through the curriculum. In order to be eligible for graduation, students must pass a final comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or higher.

Licensure

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national licensure examination for physical therapists administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Successful completion of this exam will enable the individual to be licensed as a physical therapist.  Licensure is required to practice in the United States.  Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to take the national licensure examination and/or obtain state licensure. Persons with concerns should contact:

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at WSSU is an entry-level, clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy.  The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).  CAPTE is recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the sole accrediting agency for physical therapist education programs. 

For additional information concerning the status of this program contact:

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA  22314-1488
Telephone: 703-684-APTA (2782)  
Toll-free: 800-999-2782
TDD: 703-683-6748
Fax: 703-684-7343

Admissions Application Requirements

Please make your check, certified check or money order payable to WSSU Admissions Therapy. Applicants must also include a full name and ‘PT Applicant ID#’, and submit all documents and the $50 application fee to:

Physical Therapy Observation Hours

Enter your PT observation hours on your PTCAS application.  Use online PT Hours signature process, as the program requires you to have your hours verified by a physical therapist.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

Foreign Applicants and Transcripts

The program’s foreign (international) transcript policies do NOT apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a U.S. college or university transcript.  Study abroad is processed in the same way as U.S. coursework.

Health Requirements

Students who are accepted into the physical therapy program must follow all University guidelines for immunizations and health requirements.

In addition to the university requirements, the department requires that you maintain an annual Tuberculosis (TB skin) test, annual flu vaccine, COVID vaccine (when applicable for clinical rotation sites), as well as a Health Care Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.  Immunization records and CPR certification must be completed prior to attendance in a clinical internship.  A certified background check (CBC) is required for admission to the university and program as well as drug screen prior to entering the program, at random points and prior to clinical experiences.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE Score Requirements

There is no minimum GRE score required, however the applicant must take the GRE and submit results to PTCAS.

References:  Three (3) references are required.

 Students seeking admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must have:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
• Graduate Record Exam within five (5) years of applying for admission
• Completed graduate school application through Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS) www.ptcas.org
• Minimum of twenty-five hours (25) of physical therapy observation
• Three letters of references (one letter must be completed by professor
• Written essay
• Grade of “C: or higher in the prerequisites courses listed above and cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Application fee of $50 which must be submitted by check, certified check or money order made payable to WSSU Admissions/Physical Therapy and mailed to: