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Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT)

Do you aspire to improve mobility and overall physical well-being for people? IWU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program can give you the tools you need to help others recover their mobility following injury or illness. Plus, complete your doctorate of physical therapy in as little as three years!

Why Pursue My Doctorate of Physical Therapy at IWU?

With a doctoral program you can complete in as little as three years, IWU has aimed for the highest caliber of higher education experience for more than a century—and online education for more than a quarter century. We lock in your tuition rates when you begin, meaning no tuition hikes for the duration of your program. Today, we are proud to offer the support you need to have a meaningful impact on mobility and overall well-being—through faculty who bring a practitioner-centered approach to your learning and curriculum aligned to industry standards and best practices. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career.

What Will I Learn in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program?

This DPT program develops a well-rounded approach to your physical therapy practice through a focus on five core areas: professional development and advocacy, therapeutic skills, early clinical experiences, movement science, and clinic management. Explore fundamental physical therapy and sub-disciplines including human anatomy, human physiology, human pathophysiology, kinesiology, and more. Take advantage of our Early-Integrated Clinical (ICE) skills learning format that lets you apply learning to hands-on experiences with clinic patients from the beginning of your program.

Apply Now through PTCAS

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

What You'll Study

Coursework for your doctoral degree covers how to:

  • Advocate for people and provide compassionate care
  • Apply scholarship and research to your practice
  • Learning to make sound professional judgments that lead to optimal patient outcomes

...

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

DPT-701,DPT-702,DPT-721,DPT-741,DPT-761,DPT-703,DPT-711,DPT-722,DPT-742,DPT-762,DPT-712,DPT-704,DPT-723,DPT-731,DPT-743,DPT-763,DPT-751,DPT-713,DPT-724,DPT-732,DPT-744,DPT-771,DPT-705,DPT-714,DPT-725,DPT-733,DPT-745,DPT-764,DPT-752,DPT-753,DPT-726,DPT-734,DPT-746,DPT-765,DPT-747,DPT-727,DPT-735,DPT-895,DPT-866,DPT-748,DPT-881,DPT-882,DPT-849,DPT-883

Program Requirements

  • An earned undergraduate baccalaureate degree of any kind from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale documented with official transcripts. The degree need not be completed at the time of application but must be completed prior to program enrollment.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite coursework from an accredited institution with a grade of “C” or better before the start of DPT coursework:
    • Sciences: Science GPA must be >3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
      • Anatomy and Physiology– one semester each or a combined two-semester series with laboratory components
      • Physics – two components each with laboratory components
      • Chemistry- two semesters with laboratory components
      • Biology- one semester with a laboratory component
    • Humanities and Social Sciences: one course in each of the following areas:
      • Psychology
      • Sociology
    • Statistics: one course
  • Completion of at least 60 clinical observation hours completed with a licensed physical therapist.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Interview
  • All credits required in the program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Minimum grade in each course of “C+“ or higher or a “pass” in pass/fail courses.
  • Successful completion of all Clinical Education courses to include site assessment documentation.
  • Payment of all program tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Take your next step!

Take your career to the next level with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from IWU!

Request Info Apply Now through PTCAS

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. The program’s current status is probationary accreditation; for more information see https://www.capteonline.org/WhatWeDo/RecentActions/PublicDisclosureNotices/. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 765-677-3698 or email physical.therapy@indwes.edu.

Complaints outside due process from external stakeholders may be made here by following the page to the Complaint Form link. Retaliation is prohibited following complaint submission. All submission resolutions are overseen by the associate provost in collaboration with the program director and/or dean of the School of Health Sciences as appropriate.

Program Information

Indiana Wesleyan University | Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Financial Fact Sheet 2024

The data applies to students experiencing the program between Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024.

Length of Program which includes all student instruction/interaction (including classroom, laboratory, exams, and clinical education). Include the total number of weeks where either full or partial attendance is required.

Length of Program in Weeks excluding breaks: 134

Length of Program in Weeks including breaks: 140


Clinical Education

Does this program have a requirement for all students to complete at least one clinical education experience for which the students would be required to seek alternative housing or travel accommodations to attend: No

Note: Students are responsible for costs associated with housing, travel and food during clinical education. 


Student Costs

Note: These are costs experienced by students enrolled in the program between Jan. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024. Annual costs are estimates and may be subject to increases. Students should contact the program for further information related to costs

Note: Annual costs are estimates and may be subject to increases. Students should contact the program for further information related to costs.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total
Annual Tuition Private Institution Student $33,864 $33,864 $33,864 $101,592
Annual Institutional Fees for a Full-time Student
[Includes general institutional fees, health insurance, recreation, etc.]
$240 $240 $330 $810
Total Expected Cost of Other Program-related Expenses
[Includes: required texts, laboratory fees, and other program costs for the entire technical program.]
$2,160 $1,015 $785 $3,960
Total Cost of the Program
[Includes: tuition, fees and other program costs for the entire program.]
$36,264 $35,119 $34,979 $106,362

Note: Students are encouraged to explore the cost of living for areas where they may choose to live. One possible website: livingwage.mit.edu

Does the institution offer financial assistance specific to DPT students? No

Does the program/institution offer scholarships specific to DPT students? No

Does the program offer graduate assistantships specific to DPT students? No

Note: Other opportunities may exist at the institution for FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Please contact us for further information.

APTA student members are encouraged to visit the APTA Financial Solutions Center at https://www.apta.org/your-career/financial-solutions-center.


Student Debt Summary

Average student debt from the DPT Program for students who graduated or will graduate between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024:  $105,686

Average total student debt after completing the DPT Program for students who graduated or will graduate between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024:  $136,642

Indiana Wesleyan University | Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Outcome Data 2024

Year Graduation Rate Employment Rate First-time Pass Rate Ultimate Pass Rate
2024 86% TBD* 76.5% TBD*
2025

*To Be Determined (TBD) fields will be provided as soon as information is available.


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