Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Program
Arcadia's entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program provides clinical experiences where classroom learning is applied to real patients, opportunities for study or pro-bono work in international settings, and personal attention from renowned faculty.
The program begins in September and runs over a 2½ year period. The D.P.T. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. All graduates of Arcadia’s program to date have passed the licensure examination in their state of choice.
Curriculum Covers Classroom Through Clinical
The entry-level D.P.T. curriculum is organized into 21 patient-based units that integrate knowledge from every practice area of physical therapy. Students learn to apply the principles of physical therapy practice to all patient populations and conditions: from the young child to the older adult, from fractures to traumatic brain injury.
These units of study are designed to increase in complexity to allow students to develop their expertise in special interest areas as they simultaneously build a strong foundation of knowledge for becoming a skilled physical therapist. The final year of the curriculum allows for students to increase their expertise in special interest areas. Arcadia graduates continue to perform well above the national average on the licensure examinations.
Integral to the program are 10 weeks of part-time clinical experience in the first year and 34 weeks of full-time clinical education in the second and third year. These experiences play a key role in taking the knowledge obtained in the classroom and applying it to real patients under the direct supervision and mentoring of a licensed physical therapist. Students will learn and work in general hospitals, rehabilitation settings, private offices and in other facilities that provide areas of specialization. Arcadia is affiliated with a wide variety of local, regional, national and international facilities. The majority of sites are in the mid-Atlantic region.
Arcadia University is recognized as a leader in global education and provides interested students with international opportunities to study. Arcadia believes that to understand the world, students should experience it—and that can mean leaving the campus for a time. Whether it is for clinical education in England or California or a service trip to Jamaica, Arcadia's D.P.T. students have several opportunities to experience the world as medical professionals.
Physical therapists today are required to be critical consumers. Whether assessing medical literature to provide the highest level of care to patients, participating in clinical research trials, or investigating treatments/ideas, physical therapists need a solid foundation in statistics, experimental design and critical thinking. These concepts are integrated into all facets of the D.P.T. program at Arcadia. Students are encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities within the Physical Therapy Department.
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In Arcadia's innovative patient-centered curriculum, students learn to integrate and apply clinical, behavioral and basic science knowledge. This nurtures the critical thinking necessary for excellence in physical therapy practice. Time spent in lectures and labs is structured to give students the opportunity to absorb the full depth of information and to focus on related projects. Arcadia's program offers a wealth of international experiences and research opportunities for those interested in expanding their horizons.
Marty Eastlack, PT, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of Admissions for the Entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program, ptadmissions@arcadia.edu.
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