Job growth for physical therapists is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2020-2030, and the average annual salary for PTs is $95,620 and growing nationally.
Students who possess a bachelor’s degree prepare for success with the licensure examination and their career through our prestigious professional program.
The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program at Daemen College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org website: http://www.capteonline.org.
Program Benefits
- Our program has maintained continuous accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education since its beginning in 1974, with first-time pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) at or above both New York state and national averages.
- Curriculum includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical work for an exceptional education.
- Program comprises both academic and clinical education, including a variety of clinical experiences locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Many graduates are accepted to high profile residency and fellowship programs across the country.Students can participate in a wide range of service learning opportunities, including Without Borders (SWOB), which includes organized annual trips to the Dominican Republic where students help provide medical, dental, nutritional, and humanitarian aid.
- Program recently celebrated its 45th anniversary, with close to 3,800 graduates.
- All core full-time faculty members teach, practice, and conduct research in their area of specialty.
- The Daemen College Student Physical Therapy Association (SPTA) allows students to participate and operate many activities held on campus and throughout the community.
Valuable Practical Experiences
Clinical Education is a crucial aspect of the Physical Therapy curriculum. Students complete four, nine-week internships in physical therapy settings and practice areas such as pediatric rehab, adult neuro rehab, cardiopulmonary rehab, orthopaedic rehab, and integumentary care. In addition, each student conducts clinical-based research as a capstone project to complete their Doctor of Physical Therapy under the advisement of a faculty member.
Career Outlook
Physical therapists have extensive opportunity to work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, rehabilitation centers, schools, athletic facilities, long-term care, assisted living, and more.
Program Specifics
Students with an earned baccalaureate degree (BS/BA) in a related field with minimum overall and science GPAs of 2.8 may apply to enter directly into the professional phase of the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. You must apply online through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), a component of APTA, approved a set of admission traffic rules for PT education programs and applicants. The rules are effective beginning in the 2016-2017 admissions cycle and available to the public on the ACAPT website.
The PTCAS application deadline is December 1st of each year for consideration of acceptance into the professional program starting in the fall (September) of the next academic year.
Direct-entry students will be accepted to the professional phase of the program based on their educational background, academic excellence, completion of all other requirements/recommendations, and space availability.
Degree and credit analysis for direct-entry students is completed by the Physical Therapy Department and the Direct Entry Admissions Committee.
Direct-entry students must have successfully completed (C or better) all coursework listed below, earning minimum overall and science GPAs of 2.8 to be eligible for consideration for entry into the professional phase of the program.
- 8 credits Biology (with lab)
- 8 credits Chemistry (with lab)
- 3 credits Bio-organic Chemistry lecture (Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry may be substituted) This course is recommended but not required
- 8 credits Physics (with lab)
- 4 credits Anatomy (with lab)
- 4 credits Physiology (with lab)
- 3 credits Pre-Calculus (minimum requirement)
- 3 credits Introduction to Psychology
- CMP 315 Advanced Composition for Health Professionals ^
- PT 101 and PT 201 Freshman and Sophomore Seminars in Physical Therapy *
- PT 312 Principles of Teaching and Learning *
^ This course is required to be taken in the summer, offered at Daemen University, preceding the fall semester start of the professional program for accepted direct-entry students and a minimum grade of 'C' is required. This course may be waived if proficiency of writing is demonstrated. Upon acceptance to the professional program, writing sample(s) may be submitted to the course instructor for review and in consideration for being waived from the course.
* These courses are required to be taken in the summer, offered at Daemen University, preceding the fall semester start of the professional program for accepted direct-entry students and a minimum grade of 'C' is required. These courses are waived for Physical Therapy Assistants (An earned PTA degree).