Physical Therapy, DPT

Department Chair: Daniel Lee

Physical therapists help improve quality of life through movement. They examine each person and develop a personalized treatment plan to restore function, reduce pain, improve movement capabilities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Individuals who wish to practice physical therapy in the United States must obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program in an accredited institution of higher education.

The three-year graduate program at Stony Brook University consists of 95 didactic credits and 35 clinical credits. Upon completion of the program, graduates consistently demonstrate the skills needed to practice physical therapy in a variety of settings. The program cultivates leaders who develop skills in evidence-based practice, critical inquiry, and clinical decision-making that are needed for differential diagnosis and autonomous practice. In addition to direct patient care, graduates can pursue careers in research, administration, consultation, and community health. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to obtain licensure. In addition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, the school’s Certificate of Professional Achievement in Physical Therapy is awarded upon satisfactory completion of all coursework.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must have a completed baccalaureate degree prior to enrollment in the program. Candidates must meet the school’s natural science requirement by successfully completing two courses each of chemistry, physics, and biology. Each course must be designated for science majors and have a laboratory component. One course in anatomy and one course in physiology or two courses of anatomy and physiology are also required. Completion of required science courses must be within the past ten years. No more than two science prerequisites maybe outstanding at the time of application; outstanding science cannot be in the same subject area. In addition, the program requires one course in psychology and one course in statistics. Candidates must complete required course work by the end of the spring term of the year for which the application is made. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average is preferred. At least 100 hours of volunteer or work experience within a physical therapy facility is required. A varied exposure to the field is recommended.