Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arcadia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program compare to other colleges?

Arcadia is ranked 7th out of 211 accredited graduate PT programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report and is the first program in Pennsylvania to offer both the entry-level and transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

Arcadia graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of becoming respected medical professionals and surpass the national average for passing the licensure examination on the first attempt.

The curriculum is unique in its approach to developing critically thinking, well-educated physical therapists, with earlier clinical experiences, stronger clinical/classroom links and earlier graduation!

What should I be looking at when deciding which program to attend?

The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that the decision to attend a physical therapy program should be based on a variety of factors, such as:

Geographic location and school size

Arcadia was founded in 1853.

Located just 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, Pa.

4,000 undergraduate and graduate students

Student to faculty ratio of 12:1

Program Length

Eight semesters beginning Fall of Year 1 and continuing through Winter of Year 3

Cost

Approximate costs are calculated annually. Click here for a list of costs for the current program year. First-year program expenses also include textbooks, materials and other fees that total about $2,000. Students also will be required to purchase laptop computers for classroom use.

Scholarship monies are available to the incoming class. All applicants who meet the admissions requirements unconditionally are eligible for a renewable partial scholarship to help offset total tuition costs.

Class Size

Approximately 50 students are accepted into each class.

Licensure Pass Rates

Arcadia graduates surpass the national average for passing the licensure examination on the first attempt and have done so since the program's inception.

Faculty composition and cohesiveness (years working together)

There are thirteen core faculty members with significant teaching and mentoring experience, with a combined 128 years in higher education. Additionally, they all have related doctoral (11) or master's degrees (2).

The faculty team has been together since the inception of the Doctoral program.

Degree awarded; design and length of curriculum

Entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy

Arcadia is ranked 7th out of 211 accredited graduate PT programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report and is the first program in Pennsylvania to offer both the entry-level and transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

The curriculum allows students to integrate and apply clinical, behavioral and basic science knowledge in a patient-centered program to nurture the critical thinking necessary for excellence in physical therapy practice. Time spent in lectures and labs is limited to 27 hours per week to give students the opportunity to absorb the full depth of information and to focus on related projects.

How does the cost of Arcadia’s D.P.T. compare to other programs?

Expenses are comparable to the out-of-state costs of public, federally funded programs and the same as other private institutions, all for a program that is ranked 7th out of 211 accredited graduate PT programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Arcadia is located in the suburbs with easy access to the city of Philadelphia, and the cost of living is usually much less per year than living within the city limits of a major city.

What types of technology/equipment will I be exposed to?

Physical therapy students will have hands-on experiences and be required to demonstrate competence with the same treatment tools that they will use as practicing physical therapists, including:

Electrical stimulation units
Ultrasound equipment
Lumbar/cervical traction devices
Electromyographic (EMG) equipment
EMG biofeedback
Exercise equipment

In addition, students will learn in the Physical Therapy Department research laboratories using state-of-the-art equipment such as muscle performance testing systems, computer-driven gait analysis mats, an exercise capacity testing system, a balance testing system, three-dimensional computerized motion analysis systems, and isokinetic dynamometers (Kin Com).

Students will learn to effectively use electronic resources for problem solving and information gathering.

I want to talk to someone in person about the program. Who should I contact?

If you still have questions about Arcadia’s program after reading through the Web site, please contact the D.P.T. Director of Admissions, Dr. Marty Eastlack, by e-mail at ptadmissions@arcadia.edu.