Physical Therapy DPT

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)
- BIOL1251/BIOL1253 General Biology I
- CHEM1201 General Chemistry I
- CHEM1203 General Chemistry I Lab
- MATH1107 Pre Calculus
- ENWR1101 Academic Writing
- FRSH1000 Freshman Seminar
2nd Semester(15 credits)
- BIOL1252/BIOL1254 General Biology II
- CHEM1202 General Chemistry II
- CHEM1204 General Chemistry II Lab
- ENWR1102 Academic Research & Writing
- MATH1202 Calculus I
3rd Semester(18 credits)
- BIOL2203/BIOL2223 Anatomy & Physiology I
- CHEM2261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM2263 Organic Chemistry I Lab
- CORE3004 Global Issues
- CSCI1105 Computer & Computer Software
- SPCH1155 Public Speaking
4th Semester(18 credits)
- BIOL2204/BIOL2224 Anatomy & Physiology II
- CHEM2262 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM2264 Organic Chemistry IILab
- CORE1001 Perspectives on the Individual
- ENGL2201 Masterpieces of World Lit. I
- PSYC1101 General Psychology
5th Semester(17 credits)
- BIOL2125/BIOL2126 Microbiology for Health Sciences
- MEDT1130 Bioethics
- CORE2003 Cross Cultural Perspective
- NURS3208 Health Care Economics
- PHYS2203 University Physics I
- PHYS2201 General Physics I Lab
6th Semester(16 credits)
- MEDT4420 Health Care Management
- CORE2002 The American Experience
- PSYC2201 Statistics
- PHYS2204 University Physics II
- PHYS2202 Physics II Lab
- PHIL1000 Life of the Mind
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
BIOL2204/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
NURS3208 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.