Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is for students who have a baccalaureate degree in any area and wish to enter the field of physical therapy.

98%

Ultimate PT Licensure Exam Pass Rate for graduates

100%

Employment rate of graduates within 6 months

3.3 Years

Time to Earn the Doctorate

100%

Of The Clinical Faculty Still Treat Patients

Over 300

Clinical relationships

Study on the Weekends

The professional courses meet on eight alternate weekends per trimester with each instructional weekend including  full days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The four full-time clinical experiences, totaling 36 weeks, are scheduled Monday through Friday.

The weekend format allows students to continue part-time employment, to maintain family responsibilities, and to pursue other interests. Students are cautioned, however, that long work hours are generally incompatible with success in the program, which does require extensive study time. Our past experience has been that students who work more than 20 hours per week on a regular basis had difficulty in meeting the rigorous demands of this program.

See why our students prefer to study on the weekend

The TOP 10 Reasons PT Students choose Dominican University

We asked, here's what they said:

Weekend Format
Classes meet from Friday to Sunday every other weekend. Work and pursue your degree simultaneously!

Learn Manual Therapy  
Expert faculty teach intricate hands-on techniques.

Expert Faculty
Professors are chosen not just for their qualifications but also for their experience and their teaching skills.

Our Graduates Get Jobs!
100% of our graduates are employed within 6 months!

Cadaver Dissections
Dissecting full cadavers as opposed to viewing pro section cadavers that have been dissected before-hand enhances the educational experience. 

Diverse, strong, vibrant student community
Ongoing student/faculty interaction foster a collaborative learning environment.

PT Pro Bono Clinic
Treat patients under the supervision of faculty and give back to the community.

Clinical affiliations The University has clinical affiliations with institutions such as the Hospital for Special Surgery, Kessler, New York Presbyterian, Lennox Hill, and more.

Research publications and presentations
The faculty foster student development in research projects, resulting in publications and presentations at national Physical Therapy Conferences.

Our Campus
Centrally located within 17 miles of New York City in the heart of the Hudson Valley region, with access to public transportation. 

Students Prefer Dominican University's Weekend Format

 See how the two formats compare:

Weekend Format Traditional Format
In Class Fri - Sun
Every other weekend
(8 weekends per trimester) 3 days/week
Mon- Thur 4 days/week
(Every week per semester)
Terms 3/year on campus 2/year
Classes Term 3 - 4 4 - 6
Weeks in Clinic 32 32
Length 3.3 years 3 years
Credits 99 115

Physical Therapy Pro Bono Clinic

Established in 2019, the Dominican University Physical Therapy Clinic offers free rehabilitation services exclusively to students, faculty, and staff. Operated by graduate students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, the clinic functions under the direct supervision of licensed faculty members.

Guided by Dominican University’s mission of “learning with a purpose, driven by an outcome: your success,” the clinic delivers high-quality, evidence-based, manual therapy rehabilitation. It also serves as a hands-on learning environment where students develop critical skills in leadership, communication, and physical therapy while serving the university community.

Members of the Dominican University community benefit from personalized care provided by student clinicians, who, under the guidance of licensed DPTs, conduct comprehensive evaluations, assessments, and treatment plans.

Learn more

Explore the Physical Therapy Program

About the ProgramProgram OutcomesProgram FAQsAdmissionsPre PT TracksApplication ProcessCost of AttendanceStudent Financial Fact Sheet

Discover Dominican University New York (DUNY) near NYC: Our unique Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program offers a flexible weekend format, allowing you to study while working during the week.
Watch this short video to learn more about our weekend format: Watch Video
At DUNY, affordability meets excellence in our DPT program. We provide one of the Tri-State area's most cost-effective private school tuitions, paired with small class sizes and renowned faculty.
What sets us apart is our faculty's extensive patient care experience, bringing modern, real-world solutions directly into the classroom. With numerous board certifications and rigorous training, our program boasts an impressive board pass rate consistently above the national average and a 100% job placement success rate.
Unique Program Features:
  • Weekend Format: Designed for accessibility, our weekend program allows you to maintain part-time employment, family responsibilities, and other interests. Classes meet on eight alternate weekends per trimester (full days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), with four full-time clinical affiliations scheduled Monday through Friday.
  • Manual Therapy Oriented: Learn hands-on from expert faculty to integrate manual therapy with critical thinking for patient care.
  • Pro Bono PT Clinic: Engage in providing free physical therapy to underserved communities, gaining valuable practical experience.
  • Clinical Experiences: Benefit from placements at top institutions like Hospital for Special Surgery, Kessler, New York Presbyterian, Lenox Hill, Helen Hayes, NYU, and more.
  • Diverse Student Community: Foster a collaborative learning environment through ongoing interaction with faculty and peers.
  • Cadaver Dissections: Enhance your educational experience with full cadaver dissections, providing a deeper understanding of human anatomy.
  • Mission Trip Opportunities: Serve on a mission trip to Guatemala, delivering PT services to those in need.
For detailed admission requirements, please visit the PTCAS Directory page for Dominican University New York.

Outcomes Graduating Class 2022 Graduating Class 2023 2022-2023 Average
Initial Class Size 28 28 28
% Graduates 97% 92% 95%
Employed 6 months post-graduation 100% 100% 100%
Ultimate Licensure Exam Rate 96% 100% 98%
First Time board pass rate 88% 96% 92%

May I meet with an adviser? 

Members of the Physical Therapy faculty/staff are available for counseling appointments either in person or by phone. These appointments must be scheduled in advance, please contact us with specific questions and days/times you are available. Please email  annemarie.lee@duny.edu.

What do I do once I'm accepted? 

You must sign and return your acceptance letter along with a $500 non-refundable deposit (to be applied towards tuition) in order to confirm your status in the program. Additional information on many aspects of the program,  faculty, books, curriculum, schedules, etc., will be provided during orientation.

Do you offer informational Open House events? When is the next event scheduled?

The College holds a Graduate Open House each semester. Physical Therapy faculty will be available to answer questions on admissions, prerequisites, and the program. The Doctor of Physical Therapy faculty are available as needed for those who cannot make the Open House. Please email annemarie.lee@duny.edu for additional information.

Apply Early to Improve Your Chances!

 Admissions Dates for ’24-‘25: 

Early Decision Deadline: 9/15/24 

  • Preferential decisions for those eager to apply to the program
  • Application must be VERIFIED by PTCAs by the deadline

Early Decision Interview: Late September, 2024
Early Decision Notification: October 1st, 2024

Regular Deadline: 2/17/2025 

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree must be completed prior to attending the DPT program. It is acceptable to apply with a pending bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree must be completed prior to matriculation in to the DPT program. Upon successful completion of the Physical Therapy curriculum, the student will be awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Applying
All candidates must apply online utilizing the APTA’s Centralized Application Service which can be accessed here: http://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.

Prerequisites

The following (11) prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Coursework OVER 10 years old will expire and will NOT be accepted.
Example: If you start class in May of 2025, coursework before Spring of 2015 will not be accepted. Spring 2015 would be accepted.

UPDATES - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
* All prerequisite science courses will be accepted online if taken in 2020 and 2021. They must still be 4 credits with a lab.
Any prerequisite course taken in Spring 2020 that transitioned to a pass/fail system will be accepted for up to a maximum of 2 courses.

Required Prerequisites (11)
* Science (on campus only) Credits Lab
1 Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) 1 4 Yes
2 Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) 2 4 Yes
3 Biology 1 4 Yes
4 Biology 2 4 Yes
5 Chemistry 1 4 Yes
6 Chemistry 2 4 Yes
7 Physics 1 4 Yes
8 Physics 2 4 Yes
Below can be online credits
9 Psychology 1 3 N/A
10 Psychology 2 3 N/A
11 Statistics 3 N/A
Total 41

Prerequisite courses are offered by Dominican University in either the traditional semester-based weekday schedule or some may be offered on campus as a Weekend College format. Although the prerequisite courses may be taken at other accredited colleges or universities, preference for admission to the Physical Therapy Program is given to the most qualified applicants who have taken 30 or more credits at Dominican. The overall grade point average, as well as in the prerequisites grade point average must be at least a 3.0 with no course grade lower than a C. * Prior to applying, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED you place your prerequisite courses in an online GPA calculator to see if you would meet the prerequisite minimum GPA requirement. A 3.0 G.P.A. is also required for the last 60 credits of the student’s most recent coursework as a whole. Applicants whose native language is not English must obtain a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) or 213 on the computer-based T.O.E.F.L. (C.B.T.). The post-baccalaureate student who has satisfied the prerequisites can apply through PTCAS.org to the Physical Therapy Program. Upon successful completion of the Physical Therapy curriculum, the student will be awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Voluntary/Work Clinical Experience  In addition to the prerequisite courses, all applicants must document a total of 60 hours of voluntary or work experience in settings where a licensed physical therapist is employed. These hours must be completed in diverse healthcare settings providing exposure to therapeutic intervention across the life span. While 60 clinical experience hours are mandatory, it is recommended to complete 100 hours.

Dominican University offers a variety of tracks and learning opportunities to best prepare a student to be eligible to apply for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The chart below gives a brief overview of similarities and differences for tracks within the college and for external applicants to best prepare you for how and when to apply. Please visit the individual programs on the Dominican University website for further information.

Dominican University Programs that lead to Physical Therapy (Internal Applicant)External Submissions
(External Applicant)
3 + 3 (BA in Biology: Pre-Med)Health Sciences: Pre PT trackPre- PT: BiologyTraditional
Degree(s) ConferredBachelors of Arts in Biology
Doctorate of Physical Therapy
Bachelors of Science in Health SciencesBachelors of Science in BiologyBachelors of Arts or Science
When to ApplyHigh SchoolHigh School or Declare by Sophomore YearHigh School or Declare by Sophomore YearHigh School or Declare by Sophomore Year
Initial RequirementsHigh School GPA: ≥ 3.3
SAT: ≥ 1150
4 years of science (Bio, Chem, Physics, A andards are met
Yes if DC studentYes if DC studentNo
Total Credits 120 undergraduate125 undergraduate120 undergraduate Varies
Curriculum Sequence See college catalog for specific sequenceSee college catalog for specific sequence See college catalog for specific sequenceVaries
All prerequisites must be completed
Dominican University Physical Therapy Program Requirements That All Applicants Must MeetDPT Prerequisites (11)
Clinical Observation hours: (minimum 60, recommend > 100)
3 Letters of Recommendation (1 PT, 1 Professor, 1 duplicate or other healthcare professional)
Essay
Extracurricular Activities, Achievements, Community service
GRE Highly Recommended
DPT Prerequisites (11)
Clinical Observation hours: (minimum 60, recommend > 100)
3 Letters of Recommendation (1 PT, 1 Professor, 1 duplicate or other healthcare professional)
Essay
Extracurricular Activities, Achievements, Community service
GRE Highly Recommended
DPT Prerequisites (11)
Clinical Observation hours: (minimum 60, recommend > 100)
3 Letters of Recommendation (1 PT, 1 Professor, 1 duplicate or other healthcare professional)
Essay
Extracurricular Activities, Achievements, Community service
GRE Highly Recommended
DPT Prerequisites (11)
Clinical Observation hours: (minimum 60, recommend > 100)
3 Letters of Recommendation (1 PT, 1 Professor, 1 duplicate or other healthcare professional)
Essay
Extracurricular Activities, Achievements, Community service
GRE Highly Recommended
Who to Contact Veronica Glynn
veronica.glynn@hhvp.net
Tel: 845-848-6006
Pamela Story
pamela.story@hhvp.net
Tel: 845-848-6039
Veronica Glynn
veronica.glynn@hhvp.net
Tel: 845-848-6006
N/A

UPDATES - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
* All prerequisite science courses will be accepted online if taken in 2020 and 2021. They must still be 4 credits with a lab.
Any prerequisite course taken in Spring 2020 that transitioned to a pass/fail system will be accepted for up to a maximum 2 courses.

Required Prerequisites (11)
* Science (on campus only) Credits Lab
1 Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) 1 4 Yes
2 Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) 2 4 Yes
3 Biology 1 4 Yes
4 Biology 2 4 Yes
5 Chemistry 1 4 Yes
6 Chemistry 2 4 Yes
7 Physics 1 4 Yes
8 Physics 2 4 Yes
Below can be online credits
9 Psychology (Any) 3 N/A
10 Psychology (Any) 3 N/A
11 Statistics 3 N/A
Total 41

Who to Contact Regarding the Graduate DPT Program:
Annemarie Lee
Administrative Assistant & DPT Operations Coordinator
Tel: 845-848-6049
annemarie.lee@duny.edu
http://hhvp.net/physical-therapy/doctor-physical-therapy-program/

Apply Early to Improve Your Chances!

 Admissions Dates for ’24-‘25: 

Early Decision Deadline: 9/15/24 

  • Preferential decisions for those eager to apply to the program
  • Application must be VERIFIED by PTCAs by the deadline

Early Decision Interview: Late September, 2024
Early Decision Notification: October 1st, 2024

Regular Deadline: 2/17/2025 

All candidates must apply online utilizing the APTA's Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

For more information regarding Dominican University New York on PTCAs please see our program information here: http://ptcasdirectory.apta.org/DUNY.aspx

Once processed and verified by PTCAS, the Admissions Committee looks forward to reviewing your application. If you encounter difficulty with PTCAS, please do not contact the DPT program at Dominican University New York. Inquiries should be made directly to PTCAS Customer Service via email: ptcasinfo@ptcas.org or Tel: (617) 612-2040.

Apply to Dominican University New York’s Physical Therapy program via PTCAS here: http://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login  

 

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)$1,190 per credit
Graduate Audit Fee: $750 per course
General Fees: non-refundable
Application fee$50
Registration: Full-time (more than 12 credits)$475 per term
Registration Part-time$220 per term
Replacement of I.D. cards: $20
Graduation Fee: $300
In addition to the general tuition and fees described above, students should anticipate the following estimate of annual expenses associated with attending the College during the current Academic Year.
Books$1,500
Transportation$1,700
Personal Expenses$1,950

Benefits for Veterans

We Salute Veterans

Dominican University is a military-friendly school that strongly supports veterans. If you have served, accept our thanks - and ask us about programs for vets and their families, including the Yellow Ribbon Program

To learn more please click here


MBA Pathway for DPT students

Do you plan to manage a physical therapy practice or a hospital department? In today’s competitive job market, you need an edge. Understanding the fundamentals of financial management, and organizational practices are essential.

Our DPT program will prepare you for the real world while also offering you the opportunity to continue your education with a Dominican University MBA in Healthcare. Completing both degrees will give you the skillset for successfully integrating health care and business.

The MBA Pathway for DPT students provides successful graduates of our DPT program with the following benefits:

  • Up to 6 credits of advance standing towards an MBA in Healthcare
  • The option to earn an additional 6 MBA credits while still enrolled in the DPT
  • Expedited admissions
  • No GMAT
  • No application fee

Clinical Education

Clinical Education is a significant and critical component of the professional physical therapy curriculum. It allows students to observe and be mentored by expert clinicians working in their respective specialized clinical settings. Dominican University has developed more than 300 clinical relationships with a wide variety of carefully selected well respected local, regional, and national facilities.

The physical therapy curriculum provides four full-time clinical experiences throughout the 10 trimesters, totaling 36 weeks. During these four blocks of clinical practice, each student will have experiences with patients/clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings that encompass a range of conditions from acute to chronic. The student’s clinical education experiences will provide them with the entry-level knowledge and skills they need in the general practice of physical therapy.

Additional Resources

We offer clinical experiences at the following institutions:

Our Location

The University is located in Rockland County, NY, just 17 miles north of New York City, and 3 miles north of Bergen County, NJ.

If you’d like to visit the campus and meet the faculty, please choose from among our many visiting opportunities.

Visit the Campus

Testimonials

"The decision to pursue my goals at Dominican University was nothing short of a touchdown”

- Leigh Weiss, Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist, New York Giants

Dominican University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program provided me with the tools I needed to start my own practice

– John Gallucci, Medical Coordinator for Major League Soccer

Meet our faculty

Emil Euaparadorn

Director

Phone: (845) 848-6048
Email: emil.euaparadorn@duny.edu

Speak to us about applying to the Physical Therapy program at Dominican University today!

Inquiries

Contact us today for more information about the Physical Therapy Program at Dominican University.

Janet Barron
Assistant Director for Graduate Admissions
Phone:
  845-848-7908
Email: janet.barron@duny.edu

Graduate Program Info Session

Discover Graduate Programs

Applications

The Department of Physical Therapy at Dominican University participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS. To learn more about the PTCAS application process, please visit the PTCAS web site.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Dominican 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. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call please call 845-848-6049 or email Emil.Euaparadorn@duny.edu.