Doctor of Physical Therapy

Instructor demonstrating a leg therapy technique on a student while others observe in a lab.

Overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Tarleton State University is a three-year, nine-semester, 114-credit curriculum that prepares graduates for entry-level practice as physical therapists. The program follows a competency-based model, integrating classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences to ensure students achieve the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors required for contemporary physical therapy practice.

Students complete didactic coursework in foundational and clinical sciences, patient management, and professional practice, along with three full-time clinical experiences totaling 31 weeks. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and preparation for licensure. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

Program Benefits

  • 3-Year, 9-Semester Curriculum – Comprehensive program of study that prepares graduates to meet the requirements for professional practice.
  • Competency-based education model ensuring mastery of clinical skills and professional behaviors.
  • Primary Care & Rural Health Focus – Specialized preparation for direct access practice and improving care in underserved communities.
  • 31 Weeks of Full-Time Clinical Education – Progressive clinical experiences across a variety of high- quality and specialized settings.
  • Interprofessional Training – Collaborative learning with Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Athletic Training programs.
  • Student Engagement in Research & Service – Opportunities to contribute to faculty-led projects and community-based pro bono clinics.

Courses

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More About the Program

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Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge for Practice: Physical therapists integrate contemporary knowledge of foundational and behavioral sciences for clinical practice.
  • Clinical Competence in Patient/Client Care: Physical therapists demonstrate clinical competence in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with dysfunction of the movement system including disorders and conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, lymphatic, cardiopulmonary and vascular systems. They effectively manage patient care throughout the lifespan and continuum of care, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes assessment.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Physical therapists demonstrate skills in patient education, communication, and collaboration with interprofessional healthcare teams. They collaborate, using responsive communication, to enhance and negotiate the exchange of information and fostering of therapeutic and professional relationships.

Career Outcomes

  • Outpatient Orthopedics – Providing evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in private practice or hospital-based clinics.
  • Acute Care – Delivering physical therapy services to patients in hospital settings immediately following injury, illness, or surgery.
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation – Supporting patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other conditions requiring intensive therapy.

Admissions Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree
  • Applicants must have 90 credit hours toward a degree completed through a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants not meeting this requirement will not be considered for an interview.
  • All students who matriculate into Tarleton’s DPT program will have a bachelor’s degree at minimum.

2. GPA

  • Candidates must meet requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies including a minimum GPA of 2.5.

3. Pre-requisites: These basic requirements must be taken for credit and passed at a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All science coursework must be intended for science majors. Applicants must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each of these specifically required courses.

  • Biology with Laboratory (7-8 semester hours)
  • Chemistry with Laboratory (8 semester hours)
  • Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory (8 semester hours)
  • Physics with Laboratory (7-8 semester hours)
  • Psychology (3 semester hours)
  • Statistics or Math (3 semester hours)
  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) who have completed a bachelor’s degree meet the requirements for the alternative admissions pre-requisite pathway. This pathway reflects the program’s recognition of the depth and value of PTA education and clinical practice. PTAs who meet all other admissions criteria are strongly encouraged to apply and expand their impact on patient care through advanced doctoral training.

4. GRE

  • Not required.
  • Candidates have the option to provide their GRE results for additional consideration.

5. Personal Statement via PTCAS 6. Letters of recommendation (2)

  • It is preferred that one letter of recommendation be from a physical therapist.
  • The other may be from a faculty member, current employer, or other person with knowledge of the applicant’s character and abilities.

7. Observation hours

  • While applicants are highly encouraged to participate in observation hours in a variety of settings supervised by a licensed physical therapist, our program does not require a certain number of hours for application.

8. Immunizations, background checks, and drug screenings

  • State law requires all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.
  • DPT matriculating applicants will be required to provide proof of vaccinations and/or serologic proof of immunity (titer) for:
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Polio
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Varicella
  • COVID-19 vaccination and influenza are strongly recommended to facilitate clinical placement.
  • Other immunizations may be required prior to matriculation.
  • Negative titer results may require further immunization or testing prior to matriculation into the DPT program.

Frequently Asked Questions