DPT Physical Therapy

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 –Â $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 DPTÂ 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/BIOL1253Â Â Â General Biology I
- CHEM1201Â Â Â General Chemistry I
- CHEM1203Â Â Â General Chemistry I Lab
- MATH1107Â Â Â Â Pre Calculus
- ENWR1101Â Â Â Academic Writing
- FRSH1000Â Â Â Freshman Seminar
2nd Semester(15 credits)
- BIOL1252/BIOL1254Â Â Â General Biology II
- CHEM1202Â Â Â General Chemistry II
- CHEM1204Â Â Â General Chemistry II Lab
- ENWR1102Â Â Â Academic Research & Writing
- MATH1202Â Â Â Calculus I
3rd Semester(18 credits)
- BIOL2203/BIOL2223Â Â Â Anatomy & Physiology I
- CHEM2261Â Â Â Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM2263Â Â Â Organic Chemistry I Lab
- CORE3004Â Â Â Global Issues
- CSCI1105Â Â Â Â Computer & Computer Software
- SPCH1155Â Â Â Public Speaking
4th Semester(18 credits)
- BIOL2204/BIOL2224Â Â Â Anatomy & Physiology II
- CHEM2262Â Â Â Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM2264Â Â Â Organic Chemistry IILab
- CORE1001Â Â Â Perspectives on the Individual
- ENGL2201Â Â Â Masterpieces of World Lit. I
- PSYC1101Â Â Â General Psychology
5th Semester(17 credits)
- BIOL2125/BIOL2126Â Â Â Â Microbiology for Health Sciences
- MEDT1130Â Â Â Bioethics
- CORE2003Â Â Â Cross Cultural Perspective
- NURS3280Â Â Â Health Care Economics
- PHYS2203Â Â Â University Physics I
- PHYS2201Â Â Â General Physics I Lab
6th Semester(16 credits)
- MEDT4420Â Â Â Health Care Management
- CORE2002Â Â Â The American Experience
- PSYC2201Â Â Â Statistics
- PHYS2204Â Â Â University Physics II
- PHYS2202Â Â Â Physics II Lab
- PHIL1000Â Â Â Life of the Mind
Doctorate in Physical Therapy
General Education Requirements (53 credits)
College Competencies (24 Credits)
ENWR1101   Academic Writing
ENWR1102Â Â Â Academic Research & Writing
SPCH1155Â Â Â Public Speaking
MATH1107Â Â Â Pre Calculus
MEDT1130Â Â Â Bioethics
BIOL2203/BIOL1113Â Â Â Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL204/BIOL1114Â Â Â Anatomy & Physiology II
Liberal Arts Electives (16 Credits)
CSCI1105Â Â Â Computer & Computer Software
MATH1202Â Â Â Calculus I
PSYC1103Â Â Â General Psychology
PSYC2201Â Â Â Statistics
University Requirements (8 Credits)
UNIV1001Â Â Â Transitioning to University Life
UNIV1002Â Â Â Preparing for Professional Life
UNIV2001Â Â Â Cross-cultural Perspectives
UNIV2002Â Â Â Global Issues
Major Requirements (44 credits)
BIOL1251/BIOL1253Â Â Â General Biology I
BIOL1252/BIOL1254Â Â Â General Biology II
BIOL2125/BIOL2126Â Â Â Microbiology for Health Sciences
CHEM1201Â Â Â General Chemistry I
CHEM1203Â Â Â General Chemistry I Lab
CHEM1202Â Â Â General Chemistry II
CHEM1204Â Â Â General Chemistry II Lab
CHEM2261Â Â Â Organic Chemistry I
CHEM2263Â Â Â Organic Chemistry I Lab
CHEM2262Â Â Â Organic Chemistry II
CHEM2264Â Â Â Organic Chemistry II Lab
PHYS2101Â Â Â General Physics I
PHYS2201Â Â Â General Physics I Lab
NURS4420Â Â Â Health Care Management
NURS3280Â Â Â 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.Â
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.