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The Physical Therapy Program is a collaborative program between  Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) and the Rutgers University-School of Health Professions (Rutgers-SHP). Students will complete the pre-professional courses at FDU for 3 years and the professional Physical Therapy courses at Rutgers University. The program specializes in doctoral-level education for individuals wishing to become physical therapists. Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program receive state-of-the-art education that prepares them to be in the forefront of the physical therapy profession.

Upon completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program students are prepared to enter the physical therapy profession as a clinician of practicing in an autonomous and ethical manner. The graduate will have skills in differential diagnosis as well as in advanced clinical and management practices. They will be able to understand and apply research presented in various formats to clinical decision making and practice and will be expected to lead the profession in the changes needed for effective practice in the 21st century.

  • Employment rate in various healthcare agencies in the tri-state area – 100%
  • Salary range after completion of Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree by the Bureau of Labor Statistics –  $89,000 – $94,000

Admission Requirements

Admission to FDU

  • High School graduation or equivalent diploma (GED)
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test is required and completion of ESL courses, if necessary.
  • Earn a minimum of 550 on TOEFL Exam for applicants with foreign credentials who are transferring into the DPT  program.
  • Completion of any necessary developmental courses as determined by the University’s Basic Skill Test.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for all transfer students.

Admission to Rutgers University SHP

All applicants to the FDU/DPT program students must:

  • Complete all General Education & Core Requirements (97 cr.) maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all required science and math courses.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the physical therapy profession through actual work or volunteer experience
  • Demonstrate evidence of community service
  • Formally apply to the Rutgers-SHP Physical Therapy Program for the professional component of the program; (admission to the program cannot be guaranteed by FDU)
  • Satisfactory score on all three sections (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical) of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  • Submit three letters of recommendation
  • Have basic computer literacy, including file management, use of word processing and spreadsheet programs, use of email and the internet.

Degree Plan

Joint Degree Program – Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Students in the entry-level component of the Physical Therapy Program spend their first three years at Fairleigh Dickinson University completing 92 credits of required courses (University Requirements: 35 credits and major requirements: 59 credits). Students must formally apply for acceptance to the professional component at the Rutgers-SHP Physical Therapy Program. Students accepted to the program will complete their fourth year at Rutgers-SHP where they take 45 credits. All 45 credits will be transferred back to Fairleigh Dickinson University after which FDU will award a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S. in Biology). Upon successful completion of the remainder of the required coursework of the DPT program, Rutgers-SHP will award a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.

Physical Therapy Degree Program Joint program with FDU/Rutgers-SHP

1st Semester(16 credits)

2nd Semester(15 credits)

3rd Semester(18 credits)

4th Semester(18 credits)

5th Semester(17 credits)

6th Semester(16 credits)

Doctorate in Physical Therapy

General Education Requirements (53 credits)

College Competencies (24 Credits)

ENWR1101     Academic Writing
ENWR1102     Academic Research & Writing
SPCH1155     Public Speaking
MATH1107     Pre Calculus
MEDT1130     Bioethics
BIOL2203/BIOL1113     Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL204/BIOL1114     Anatomy & Physiology II

Liberal Arts Electives (16 Credits)

CSCI1105     Computer & Computer Software
MATH1202     Calculus I
PSYC1103     General Psychology
PSYC2201     Statistics

University Requirements (8 Credits)

UNIV1001     Transitioning to University Life
UNIV1002     Preparing for Professional Life
UNIV2001     Cross-cultural Perspectives
UNIV2002     Global Issues

Major Requirements (44 credits)

BIOL1251/BIOL1253     General Biology I
BIOL1252/BIOL1254     General Biology II
BIOL2125/BIOL2126     Microbiology for Health Sciences
CHEM1201     General Chemistry I
CHEM1203     General Chemistry I Lab
CHEM1202     General Chemistry II
CHEM1204     General Chemistry II Lab
CHEM2261     Organic Chemistry I
CHEM2263     Organic Chemistry I Lab
CHEM2262     Organic Chemistry II
CHEM2264     Organic Chemistry II Lab
PHYS2101     General Physics I
PHYS2201     General Physics I Lab
NURS4420     Health Care Management
NURS3280     Health Care Economics

UMDNJ-SHP DPT in Physical Therapy Courses – Year I (4 credits)

Summer Semester (August) (4 credits)

Gross Anatomy

Fall Semester (16 credits)

  • Kinesiology
  • Pathophysiology I
  • Professional Development
  • Examination and Measurement
  • Examination and Intervention
  • Clinical Inquiry I

Spring Semester (18 credits)

  • Neuroscience
  • Pathophysiology II
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Physical Agents
  • Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
  • Clinical Inquiry II

Special Information

In collaboration with Fairleigh Dickinson University and Rutgers University, School of Health Professions (SHP).

Students will complete 3 years of pre-professional courses at FDU. 

Upon completion of the first year physical therapy courses at Rutgers University, the credits will transfer back to Fairleigh Dickinson University and students will be awarded with a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. The Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree will be awarded by Rutgers upon completion of the Doctorate in Physical Therapy program.