Physical Therapy is one of the fastest growing and most rewarding careers in the United States. Today's physical therapists play a significant role in the concept of total patient management and are specialists in addressing movement dysfunction while focusing on preventative care to minimize disability for a wide range of age groups in a variety of settings.
The Walsh University Physical Therapy curriculum, an intensive three-year (8-semester) program, including summers, leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Coursework builds upon a foundation of basic sciences and problem-solving skills. Students gain knowledge and develop skills in teaching and scientific inquiry as well as physical therapy patient diagnosis and intervention. Students must perform original research and present their work prior to graduation. Students take a comprehensive examination at the end of the third year and must pass that examination to graduate. Upon successful completion of the academic and clinical components of the curriculum, graduates meet the educational requirements to take the licensure examination required in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and Guam to practice as a physical therapist.
Did you know Walsh University DPT students graduate on average with 30% less debt than peer institutions?*
Learn more about your educational investment (Financial fact sheet PDF)
*Based on averages from the APTA June 2020 Debt Impact Report.
The Physical Therapy Program at Walsh University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
On November 1, 2000 the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) granted Accreditation to the physical therapist educational program at Walsh University. Based on Walsh's 2015 Self-Study, CAPTE reaffirmed accreditation of our physical therapy program through 2026, with commendation.
Accreditation affects the physical therapy graduate's ability to practice. All individuals applying for licensure in all 50 states, the territory of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia must graduate from an accredited program to sit for the licensing examination.
Graduation rate:
91.4% of students who entered our program graduated in 2022 and 2023
Licensure rate:
100% of graduates from the DPT Classes of 2022 and 2023 passed the National Physical Therapist Examination; 90.6% passed on their first attempt.
Employment rate:
100% of graduates who sought employment from the DPT Classes of 2021 and 2022 are employed 12 months after graduating.
Walsh is unabashedly a Catholic university. The faculty, students, and support personnel on campus live the mission of the university, which is to model the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ and to foster service learning within the educational model. However, Walsh is welcoming to students of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. In addition, our smaller class sizes, dedicated faculty and administration, as well as our involvement and passion for the profession of physical therapy is unmatched. We feel Walsh is the perfect blend of spirit and sophistication.
We have 2 primary courses dedicated to service learning aimed at promoting wellness and prevention in a community health model. Students in their 3rd year of the program will design and implement a Community Health Program for an underserved target audience. In addition, the 3rd year students will provide mentorship to our 1st year students, who will also participate in the Community Health Program. This ensures service opportunities for a majority of our students as well as providing a positive feedback cycle for ongoing development of these activities.
Our students complete four clinical rotations in a variety of practice settings that encompass patients with diverse needs. The emphasis of our clinical education curriculum is placed upon the body systems encountered by students in the academic course work in contrast to the type of setting in which students are placed. Our collective clinical education experiences will provide opportunities for students to participate in learning experiences involving the patient-client management process, interdisciplinary teamwork, teaching, practice management/administrative activities, and supervision of physical therapist assistants and other supportive personnel.
Students and faculty work together in the creation of original research within the requirements of the DPT curriculum. Our students have been incredibly successful in disseminating their research. For example, students have contributed to textbook chapters, multiple journal publications, presented at national conferences and have worked with licensed clinicians on collaborative research studies.
Walsh is a complex blend of spirit and sophistication. Our mission allows careful emphases on the areas of education that we think are critical ingredients to be an effective, exceptional physical therapist. These include compassion, motivation, empathy, dedication, and effort. Furthermore, our faculty consists of physical therapists who are; internationally recognized scholars, highly involved in the professional association, are board certified clinical specialists or fellowship trained clinicians, and who have a wide variety of skill sets necessary for effective education.
In areas where a unique teaching perspective is needed, outside faculty or clinicians are brought in to teach. That said there are no holes within the curriculum that lead to gaps in learning.
You do not need your degree in hand for us to interview you or make an offer of acceptance. However, you must have completed your degree and all pre-requisite coursework prior to the start of graduate program courses. The only exception is for Walsh undergraduate students who are enrolled in the Early Assurance program.
Both overall and pre-requisite mean GPAs and mean GRE scores vary from year to year. The past five classes that have matriculated had a mean overall GPA of 3.66, a mean pre-requisite GPA of 3.52, and a mean verbal GRE score of 151, a quantitative GRE score of 151 and an analytical writing scaled score of 4.0.
Our program averages over 180 applicants to fill a class of 34 students.
Yes, you will need to submit a new application. The PTCAS system only keeps a one year cycle of admissions information. We would appreciate a written notification of your desire to be considered for the following year as well as what you plan to do to optimize your application.
View prerequisite course descriptions. We will also consider pre-requisites on a case-by-case basis. To have a pre-requisite evaluated for appropriate content, you must submit your request in writing to Graduate Admission Office and include both a course description and syllabus.
While we strongly recommend that you attempt to complete observation hours in a variety of settings, it is not required for entry into the program. You will be required to complete an essay documenting your experiences and exposure to physical therapy. Observation hours are one way to gain exposure.
We encourage prospective students to pursue a major in any discipline that interests them as long as the student can complete the pre-requisite courses for the physical therapy program. Some majors, however, allow students to complete the pre-requisites while at the same time working toward a Bachelor's degree. The most common examples of majors that meet this description include biology, kinesiology, exercise science, and psychology.
At Walsh University, we believe that higher education should be made available to all who seek it. Our friendly, caring staff is here to help you understand the breakdown of tuition and fees and navigate the financial aid process. Please contact us at 330.490.7367 with any questions.
