Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is jointly sponsored by Rutgers Graduate School-Camden and the School of Health Related Professions (SHRP) of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).The program is an entry-level physical therapy program designed to prepare health professionals who will function competently and creatively as members of a team of health professionals in a dynamic health care environment.

The Program's primary mission is to educate students to become generalist physical therapists prepared to advance towards autonomous practice and committed to humanistic principles through education, scholarship, community service and clinical practice.

The Program's graduate degree curriculum builds upon liberal arts education and integrates the humanities, scientific theory, and clinical experiences to provide entry level competence in patient care, management, health care programming, community education and service, and scientific inquiry.

Students are provided with early integrated clinical experiences and required to participate in community service. This allows students to intergrate clinical reasoning and provide care for populations who are underserved.

The program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 1990. The DPT Program was accredited in 2006.

Questions regarding the physical therapy program’s accreditation should be directed to the program director or to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The process for an individual to file a complaint with CAPTE for any accredited physical therapy education program is available on through the CAPTE website.

The Program's three year curriculum begins the Tuesday after Memorial Day each year.

Electronic applications must be received by October 15.  All supporting documentation must be received by Novemebr 15.  Eligible applicants will be invited for an interview. Applicants are informed of their application status after review by the Admissions Committee. For instructions on how to apply to the program click here.

This 36 month program is year-round and open to full-time students only. Thirty-eight weeks of full-time clinical experiences are integrated through the curriculum. The program is intense and demanding. It is extremely difficult to maintain employment while matriculating in the program.

Licensure:

Graduates of the Program may apply for physical therapy licensure examination in the state where they expect to practice. Information about licensure requirements of a specific state may be obtained by consulting the physical therapy licensure board in that state. Contact information is available at the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website.