Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Program Description

The professional preparation Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Kean University follows a hybrid curricular model of planned and advanced learning experiences including problem-based learning, team-based learning, systems based approach, clinical grand rounds, and online course delivery. The program includes a total of 42 weeks full-time and 240 hours of integrated clinical experiences that align with clinical and didactic coursework.

Application of cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills are reinforced throughout the duration of the program. Students will progress from the acquisition to application of knowledge and psychomotor skills during each semester of the program. Students will receive an early introduction to the application of knowledge in clinical settings, beginning in the second semester. Students will gain an early understanding of clinical practice environments and the importance of clinical outcomes in physical therapy. Throughout their varied classroom and clinical practice experiences, students will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice, autonomy, advocacy, leadership, and management within physical therapist practice as part of an evolving healthcare system.

Curriculum highlights include:

• Team-based human gross anatomy course with cadaver dissection

• Systems-based approach to clinical evaluation, differential diagnosis and intervention

• Problem-based learning component within clinically oriented courses

• Clinical Grand Rounds and Interprofessional Grand Rounds series

• Research and Evidence-based Practice series, with emphasis on clinical outcomes, culminating in a faculty-mentored project focused on patient outcomes

• Practice Management and Leadership Development series emphasizing business acumen required for business leadership development and entrepreneurship within the profession

• 42 weeks of full-time clinical education, and 240 hours of integrated clinical education, specifically aligned with clinical content within a given curricular year

Degree Requirements

• 9-semesters of curricular study (129 credits); 3 full-time semesters of clinical education.

Admissions and Prerequisite Requirements for the 2022-2023 Application Year

• Bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) from an accredited college or university
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• GPA of 3.0 or higher with specific course prerequisites
  • Pass/fail grades will be accepted for Spring 2020 semester form students whose university/college mandated a pass/fail grade. The student will be required to submit documentation of the mandate AND the letter grade the student would have earned in the course. The grade will not be calculated in either the prerequisite or overall GPA.
• Official copies of ALL post-secondary transcripts
• Evidence of satisfactory completion (within the previous 10 years) of all course prerequisites (grade of "C" or higher) or plan to complete the specific program prerequisites prior to matriculation
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • One letter must be from a higher education professor/instructor
  • One letter may be from a coach, supervisor, or person who knows you in a professional capacity. Personal references are not acceptable.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score taken within 5 years of the time of application
  • Doctorate in Physical Therapy-PTCAS GRE Institution Code 7444
• Physical Therapy observation and/or experience hours are not required
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports

Course Prerequisites

Each candidate seeking consideration for acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must show evidence of having completed the following courses within the previous 10 years and with a grade of “C” or better. (See above regarding Spring 2020 pass/fail grades)

• 3 credits-English Composition
• 3 credits- General Psychology
• 3 credits- Social Science (upper level Psychology, or any Sociology or Philosophy)
• 8 credits- Biological Sciences (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in biology
• 8 credits- Anatomy and Physiology (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in A&P OR
  Anatomy with labs and Physiology with labs (human preferred)
• 8 credits- Chemistry (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in chemistry
• 8 credits- Physics (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in physics
• 3 credits- Statistics

Statement on Prerequisites

• Applicants may submit an application with up to 2 outstanding prerequisites.
• However, the 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology must be completed at the time of application

Statement on Advanced Placement Exams

AP credit will be accepted for fulfillment of a listed prerequisite if the credit has been accepted by the undergraduate institution and the credit appears on the applicant's transcript for the degree granting institution. Kean will not review AP documentation or consider AP credit that was not accepted by the degree granting institution.

Statement on Retakes

SOPT will accept the higher earned grade of a maximum of 2 attempts for the course. Multiple retakes of prerequisite courses is not recommended.

Deferral Requests

The School of Physical Therapy does not allow applicants to defer their admission. If you have any questions or concerns with this policy, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Transfer Credit

The Kean University School of Physical Therapy does not accept transfer credits for courses taken at another physical therapist education program nor will the School of Physical Therapy grant credit for classes taken in other graduate level programs.

Apply Now Through PTCAS

Complete the Supplemental Application

Total Credit Hours: 129