The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Clarkson University is a 101 credit, full-time, post baccalaureate curriculum that takes 2 and ⅔ years to complete.The Department of Physical Therapy has state-of-the-art technologies for clinical practice and research. Faculty in the department bring decades of clinical experience and scholarly vision to the classroom. Because classes are small and problem-based, you will work closely with faculty members, which promotes professional growth and success.
Superbly educated and trained healthcare professionals are in constant demand, especially in communities outside urban centers — and Clarkson’sEarl R. and Barbara D. Lewis School of Health Sciencesis meeting that demand for quality rural healthcare.We are a national leader in preparing graduates to meet rural and distance-challenged healthcare needs through a growing portfolio of programs that advance careers, research, and innovation.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Smart Simulation Lab & Assistive Technology Lab
Our state-of-the-art Smart Simulation Lab and Assistive Technology lab offer simulated living experiences and cutting edge technology. The Simulation Lab is an extension of the classroom that allows students to apply strategies learned in lectures to hands-on activities in a realistic environment, consisting of a fully functioning house and outdoor environment, complete with a vehicle. Mock hospital rooms also allow students to practice evaluations and interventions in acute care settings.
Problem-Based Learning
Our program uses a problem-based learning (PBL) curricular model, which uniquely prepares you to become a lifelong learner and expert clinician using an integrated case based approach to learning. You will participate in 4 full time clinical experiences in addition to hands-on clinical experiences interwoven throughout the didactic portion of the curriculum.
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Through PBL, students learn to
- Develop lifelong learning skills that allow them to seek answers independently.
- Practice evaluation and intervention strategies to experience what patients experience and develop competency under the supervision of physical therapists.
- See the patient in a broader context and consider the economic and cultural issues that influence intervention and care.
Professional Partnerships
The Health Sciences programs benefit from close cooperation with the St. Lawrence Health System. It’s flagship facility, Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH), is within a mile of campus and provides students the opportunity to interact with patients and medical staff. Many Clarkson faculty do their clinical work at CPH, and many CPH staff teach for the Clarkson Health Sciences programs.
Global Reach
Our students come from all across the country, coast to coast as well as from international backgrounds. While many of our clinical rotation sites are local, students frequently choose sites across the country. Our DPT program also provides annual opportunities for students to undertake international service work.
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) National Physical Therapy Licensure Ultimate Exam Pass Rate: 98% (two year average from 2019, 2020)
- FSBPT National Physical Therapy Licensure First Time Pass Rate: 95% (two year average from 2019, 2020)
- Graduation Rate: 90% of admitted students to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program graduated (two year average from 2020, 2021)
- Employment: Of those program graduates responding to surveys, 100% who sought jobs as physical therapists were employed as physical therapists within 12 months.
The program and institution are accredited by:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education(July 1, 2008), and to grant a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (March 28, 2006)
- The Board of Regents of the University of the State of New Yorkto offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program (May 18, 2005)
The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Scholarships and Tuition Information
Cost
Tuition 2021/2022
The Physical Therapy program tuition is based on a flat rate per semester.
| Category | Semester | Tuition/Fee |
| Flat Fee Basis | Fall, Spring | $16,349 |
| Year 1 | Per semester | |
| Year 2 | Summer, Fall, Spring | $16,349 |
| Per semester | ||
| Year 3 | Summer, Fall, Spring | $16,349 |
| Per semester | ||
| AdditionalFees and Costs | ||
| Resource Fee | Per semester | $380 |
| CUGSA Activity Fee | Per Semester | $25 |
| APTA Student Membership | Per year | $85 |
| CU Mandatory Health Insurance * | Per year(2021-2022) | $3,868 |
| DPT Digital Book Fee | Each Fall Term | $130 |
Scholarships
Clarkson University is excited to announce that we are able to offer a limited number of Presidential Scholarships.
We are excited to announce that Clarkson Universityis able to offer$20,000 scholarshipsto academically eligibleincoming graduate students to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.The scholarship is spread equally across the 8 terms.
The University offers twoGraduate Assistantships.Students who apply to the program are automatically eligible for consideration for these scholarships (there is no extra application process). Graduate assistantships provide recipients 15% off tuition for which students work for the department.Students cannot receive a Graduate Assistantship during the final semester in the program. Recipients of the scholarships will be notified prior to January 15.
Miscellaneous Information
- Costs related to clinical education will be variable and on a student-to-student basis. Planning of clinical experiences typically occurs 9 months to 1 year in advance of placements; you will have ample time to consider and plan for any related expenses.
- For information regarding Graduate Financial Aid please see:Graduate Financial Aid
- For information regarding student loans, including a comparison of Federal Graduate PLUS loans to Private Student Loans, see:Student Administrative Services.
- The Financial Aid year begins with summer term, when applicable. Learn more about theapplication process for Federal Student Loans.
- Visit theAmerican Physical Therapy Associationfor information on scholarships.
- Each student is responsible for the purchase of personal textbooks/e-books, course readers, surgical scrubsand incidental supplies.
*Health Insurance coverage is required during the academic and clinical portions of the curriculum. This insurance is mandatory, but CU health insurance may be waived with proof of other current coverage.
DPT Curriculum
The Doctorate in Physical Therapy program at Clarkson University is a 101-credit, full-time, post-baccalaureate curriculum that takes two and two-third years to complete.
| Semester | Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
| Fall Semester 1 | PT 505 | Foundational Sciences for Physical Therapy | 9 |
| PT 506 | Professional Foundation for Physical Therapy | 2 | |
| PT 508 | Literature Critique and Review | 1 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | PT 515 | Cardiopulmonary/Exercise Science | 9 |
| PT 517 | Professional Practice I | 2 | |
| PT 518 | Principles of Measurement and Testing | 1 | |
| Summer Semester 3 | PT 525 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy | 9 |
| PT 527 | Professional Practice Preparation | 2 | |
| PT 528 | Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice | 1 | |
| Fall Semester 4 | PT 537 | Professional Practice II | 6 |
| PT 604 | Physical Therapy for Multiple Systems Disorders I | 5 | |
| PT 608 | Research Methods | 1 | |
| Spring Semester 5 | PT 614 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy | 8 |
| PT 613 | Professional Practice III | 2 | |
| PT 617A | Professional Practice IVA | 1 | |
| PT 618 | Research Practicum | 1 | |
| Summer Semester 6 | PT 616 | Physical Therapy for Multiple System Disorders II | 6 |
| PT 617B | Professional Practice IVB | 1 | |
| PT 627A | Professional Practice VA | 5 | |
| Fall Semester 7 | PT 627B | Professional Practice VB | 2 |
| PT 645 | Practice Management in the Autonomous Environment | 8 | |
| PT 648 | Writing & Presenting Research | 1 | |
| PT 657 | Advanced Clinical Skills | 2 | |
| Spring Semester 8 | PT 667 | Professional Practice VI | 8 |
| PT 677 | Professional Practice VII | 8 |
Clinical Education
Clarkson University’s Department of Physical Therapy offers exceptional clinical experiences. We ensure each student has experiences that are broad in scope and rich in content. Each student’s clinical experience is individually tailored to their needs, practice setting interests and geographic preferences. We have formed collaborative relationships coast to coast and internationally, and as such as we have clinical placements throughout the United States, Peru and Italy.
Structure of Physical Therapy Clinical Experiences
* Students begin Level I clinical experience following their first year of didactic coursework
* Level II clinical experience begins at the end of two years of didactic coursework
* Level III begins at the end of three years of didactic coursework
Admission, Applying and Prerequisites
General Admissions Requirements
COVID-19 Updates:
- A two-week extension of the deadline for deposit will be granted for accepted students.
- Please request a waiver from Christopher Towlerby emailing him atctowler@clarkson.edu.Please state which clinics you tried to attend but were unable to dueto the pandemic. This will allow the committee to document that you have tried to reach the 50 minimumhours but could not complete them due to pandemic limitations.
- At this point in time, we will require graded coursework for prerequisite courses from the Spring 2020 term. If your University has established a P/F policy that precludes you from having a graded option, please contact Christopher Towler atctowler@clarkson.edu.
The DoctorofPhysical Therapy program at Clarkson University is a full-timegraduate program.In order to be considered for admission, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- Complete a baccalaureate degree with an overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.2.
- Take all the necessaryprerequisite courses(see below)with a GPAgreater than or equal to 3.2 in all prerequisite courses and no grade lower than a C in these courses.
- Submit documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of observation, volunteer or work experience in physical therapy and/or another healthcare setting, of which a minimum of 30 hours must be completed under the supervision of a physical therapist.
- Submit three letters of recommendation. At least one must be from a physical therapist and one must be from a faculty member. None can be from family, friends or clergy.
- Meet the technical standards of the Doctoratein Physical Therapy program, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
All applications must be submitted through thePhysical Therapy Common Application Service.The deadline for submission of applications is March 1st. The department uses a rolling admissions process;applications are reviewed and students offered admission on an on-going basis.
The department follows all applicablelaws and guidelinesto ensure that all prospective students’ rights are protected.
Transferring from Another DPT Program
The Clarkson University Department of Physical Therapy will review the application of any individual who wishes to transfer from other physical therapy programs.However, we do not accept transfer credits.All students who would like to apply for our physical therapy program, including those who have already taken graduate level physical therapy coursework, must apply through the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS).Everyone who is accepted into our program, including those who have already taken and successfully passed graduate level physical therapy coursework, must begin at the start of the Clarkson Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum and successfully pass all coursework in order to graduate.
Prerequisite Courses
The following pre-requisite courses must be successfully completed within 10 years in order to be considered for admissions to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program:
- Biology courses:
- Cellular and Molecular Biology/Lab (Clarkson course: BY160/BY162), 5 credits
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab (Clarkson course: BY 471/BY 473), 5 credits and Human Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab (Clarkson course: BY 472/BY 474) 5 credits
- Chemistry courses:
- General Chemistry I with lab (Clarkson course: CM 131 or CM 103/105: Structure and Bonding with lab) 4 or 5 credits
- General Chemistry II with lab (Clarkson course: CM 132 or CM 104/106: Chemical Equilibrium and Dynamics with lab) 4 or 5 credits
- Medical Terminology
- Physics courses:
- Physics I with lab (Clarkson course: PH 131 or PH 141) 4 credits
- Physics II with lab (Clarkson course: PH 132 or PH 142) 4 credits
- Statistics course:
- Statistics (Clarkson courses: STAT 282, STAT 284, STAT 318, STAT 383) 3 credits
- Psychology Courses
- General Psychology (Clarkson course: PY 151) 3 credits
- Another 3 credit Psychology course, we recommend Developmental Psychology, life span (Clarkson course: PY 370) 3 credits
“Problem based learning at Clarkson is a great fit for students who want to have autonomy in their learning. Faculty does their best to provide opportunities for you to learn on your own and they’ll support you every step of the way.”
Julianne Adegoriolu,
PT Student
“I feel very academically supported at Clarkson. The faculty and staff really goes out of their way to make sure you have everything you need and if you don’t they go out of their way to find it and provide it for you.”
Kate Ackner,
PT Student
“At Clarkson, we are a tight knit community, working together towards a common goal. And when that many people are striving to work together, it’s bound to make great things happen.”
Heather Shattuck
Clinical Assistant Professor in Department of Physical Therapy
Have a Question About Our Health Sciences Programs? Contact Us!
Brianne Printup
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
Clarkson University
bjprintu@clarkson.edu
518-631-9831