The rigorous major and minor in exercise physiology from Saint Joseph’s University focuses on courses that cover physiology, fitness, health and management while acquiring and applying communication, leadership, planning and organizational skills.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, Saint Joseph’s University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an accredited doctoral program that prepares graduate students for a fulfilling career in physical therapy.
An accelerated curriculum that focuses on experiential learning, our 31-month Doctor of Physical Therapy program will teach you evidence-based techniques and empower you to practice independently and work collaboratively in diverse health care environments. You'll have access to 350+ physical therapy companies and/or healthcare systems, which include more than 3000 locations nationwide, allowing you to treat patients in different healthcare settings.
If you recently graduated from high school, we offer an undergraduate BS to DPT program for incoming first-year students (through our direct-entry admission pathway). This program is also offered to students who have taken college coursework but have not received a bachelor’s degree and transfer students if they meet all prerequisite requirements.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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Our condensed two-and-a-half-year curriculum allows you to enter the field faster, and our students typically receive several job offers before graduation. Because you graduate in December instead of the May date typical of other PT programs, you’ll have a head start on board exams, additional certifications, advanced training opportunities and the job market.
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For Saint Joseph’s graduates who responded to the alumni survey, 100% were employed within one year of passing the licensure examination (2022-23).
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At Saint Joseph’s, you’ll learn in many different environments — not just in the classroom. Starting in your first professional year, you’ll be exposed to patients and clients through our integrated clinical experiences and pro-bono clinics. In the latter part of the program, you'll participate in three full-time 12-week clinicals nationwide under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
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Our faculty includes doctorally trained, clinically certified specialists who represent just about every practice area. And they practice what they teach — most are expert clinicians and many engage in rehabilitation research. All of them are outstanding instructors invested in your success.
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State-of-the-art research facilities housed inside Glasser/Woodland Hall -- including the physical therapy department's Patricia Leahy Motion Analysis Lab and BTE Technologies™ Rehabilitation Lab -- give you a taste of completing necessary PT research to inform clinical practice.
You’ll have the opportunity to engage in physical therapy research — a rarity among PT programs today. Our faculty of active practitioners conduct research in areas such as biomechanics, oncology, pediatrics and treatment interventions.
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The simulation labs on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Interprofessional Education Complex provide spaces for students to learn advanced clinical practice skills. Multiple ProBono clinics allow students to provide evidence based care to patients in underserved communities. Students are able to apply knowledge from courses in the curriculum to patient care in a practice setting while being mentored by faculty.
What Can You Do With a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree?
Physical therapy was ranked one of the top 10 best healthcare professions in the U.S. and was named among the top 30 best jobs overall by U.S. News & World Report. With a Doctor of Physical Therapy, you can become a movement specialist and have the option to work in patient care or academia, research, the government and health care administration.
PTs can practice in a number of diverse environments, including:
- Inpatient and outpatient clinics and healthcare facilities
- Home health care
- Sports medicine clinics
- Fitness facilities
- Schools
- Research centers
- Private practice
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
Information and Resources
- Department of Physical Therapy Student Handbook/Policy & Procedure Manual
- Department of Physical Therapy Clinical Education Policy & Procedure Manual
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The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 215.596.7086 or email efolkins@sju.edu.
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Physical therapists must be licensed to practice, and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. This exam does not need to be taken again for licensure to transfer to another state, provided that one's score satisfies the scores for each individual state in which one practiced. The only requirement to take the examination is graduation from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited program, such as the University's DPT program.
Please note that felony and conviction may delay or prohibit clinical education placement, which could delay graduation, certification through National Physical Therapy Examination and could prevent state licensure.
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The tuition for DPT students entering fall 2025 is as follows.
- $47,598 - Year 1
- $47,598 - Year 2
- $31,732 - Year 3
*Pricing does not include room and board; health insurance; or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page for a detailed cost breakdown.Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.
Additional Information Regarding Clinical Experiences: Students are expected to travel for clinical experiences. Costs incurred for travel, housing, tolls, food, parking, etc. are the responsibility of the student. In addition, students are responsible for health and safety requirements such as fingerprinting, required by most clinical experience sites. Students may use federal or alternative educational loan funding to help with the miscellaneous costs related to clinical experiences. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.
The costs reflected in the Student Financial Fact Sheet are for students who enter the professional phase of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the summer of 2024. Program-related costs and other associated expenses are highly variable depending on location of clinical rotation sites.
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Visit the Department of Physical Therapy website to view the technical standards that apply to all clinical training students in Saint Joseph’s DPT program.
Why Study Physical Therapy in Philadelphia?
Here in Philadelphia, you’re in the heart of the health science industry, surrounded by more than 250 medical facilities. As a physical therapy doctoral student at Saint Joseph’s University, you’ll benefit from our partnerships with local clinics and work alongside other students and faculty members to provide pro bono PT services to Philadelphia communities. The city’s diverse population and rich health care employment opportunities offer a unique environment to gain PT experience in a variety of settings — from large medical systems with acute-care specialty clinics to inpatient and subacute rehabilitation centers.
Admission Information
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Requirements:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the DPT program:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
- Complete all prerequisite courses listed below by the end of the spring term preceding enrollment at Saint Joseph’s
- 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.00 math/science GPA with a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses
- Interview: An invitation-only interview is required for admission into the program. Interviews begin in October and continue until all seats are filled.
GRE scores are not required. Shadowing hours are not required but highly recommended of all applicants.
Prerequisites:
Required prerequisite courses should be completed by the end of the spring term preceding enrollment at Saint Joseph's:
- Chemistry, with lab (2 semester sequence, 8 credits)
- Biology, with lab (2 semester sequence, 8 credits)
- Physics, with lab (2 semester sequence, 8 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology (2 semester sequence, 8 credits-inclusive of labs I and II.)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Social Sciences (9 credits total, including 6 credits of Psychology)
- English-Writing Intensive (3 credits)
In addition, there are non-academic admission criteria that should be reviewed on the Technical Standards page of the Department of Physical Therapy website.
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Applications for Academic Year: 2025-2026 will be available via the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) in June. No supplemental application is required. Please submit all documentation directly to PTCAS.
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Graduate applications must be submitted by March 3 for review.
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If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the graduate admission page for additional requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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When entering Saint Joseph’s after receiving your Bachelor’s degree, you can earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2.5 years. After earning your DPT you’ll need to obtain a license in the state in which you decide to practice to work as a physical therapist, which requires passing a state licensure exam.
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Physical therapists make a median annual salary of $91,010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This salary may be higher for high-paying specialties, including:
- Sports medicine
- Cardiovascular
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
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The two-year graduation rate was 92% (2023-2024).
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The two-year ultimate pass rate on the national licensure examination was 97% (2022-2023). The first-time pass rate was 80% (2023-2024).
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Please take a look at our Student Financial Fact Sheet for a breakdown of the cost requirements over the duration of the DPT program.
Interested in Pursuing a Career in Physical Therapy?
To become a physical therapist, you must first earn an undergraduate degree in a health professions field, followed by a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Upon completion, you will need to pass the licensure exam and become certified. Saint Joseph’s University offers a wide-range of physical therapy programs including direct-entry for first-year students and doctoral programs.
Learn more about the information and resources provided to help you decide if a career in physical therapy is right for you.
Explore Becoming a Physical Therapist
Explore Other Degree Programs
Become a skilled physical therapy practitioner and earn a wealth of clinical experience while graduating in 5 1/2 years through Saint Joseph’s direct entry physical therapy program. Enter as a first-year undergraduate or transfer student to earn a bachelor’s in exercise physiology or health science and continue on to your DPT without having to reapply.
The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who seek to become a registered occupational therapist. Through this program, you will learn how to help patients overcome physical, sensory or cognitive obstacles and will make a meaningful impact on patient care.