Doctor of Physical Therapy
Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy
Schedule a campus visit through our Graduate Campus Visit portal or contact our graduate recruiter Jarren Nixon.
DPT Program Overview
The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Spalding University meets you where you are — so that you can meet the needs of the times. The DPT is accessible for those who live in Louisville and for those who don’t. Gain the skills and clinical experiences you need to promote peace and justice through physical therapy.
Bachelor’s degree not required — students can be admitted after completing three years of college and will earn a Bachelor of Health Sciences after the first year of the DPT curriculum.
- 110 credit hours
- Complete in 4 years
- 32 weeks of clinical experience in a variety of practice settings
- Hybrid, low-residency format
- Online coursework + on-campus, hands-on labs one week per month
- Immersive experiences in our state-of-the-art anatomy and skills labs
Courses
The content for the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy is organized around 10 themes:
- Foundational Basic Science
- Introductory Patient Care Skills
- Foundational Clinical Science
- Applied Clinical Science
- Professional Engagement
- Critical Inquiry
- Multisystem Management across the Lifespan
- Patient Management
- Professional Practice
- Clinical Decision Making
Lectures take place online, and you will attend lab sessions every month on our campus in Louisville, Kentucky. This format is more flexible than traditional DPT programs that are mainly made up of in-person classes.
Onsite Lab Experiences
The labe experiences in the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program occur one week per month at our Louisville, Kentucky campus. Our newly renovated lab facility is dedicated to physical therapy edudation.
This modern, practice setting is fully equipped and designed with the physical therapy student in mind. The nearly 22,000 sq. ft. facility includes anatomy and skills labs as well as a student lounge and study space. There is plenty of space to collaborate with your peers and faculty. You’ll also have the opportunity for interprofessional collaboration with other graduate students in nursing, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, social work and athletic training.
Admissions Requirements
Discover how Spalding’s entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program can accelerate your career on your terms.
Tuition
Are you ready to pursue your path as a physical therapist? Learn about tuition and fees for our Doctor of Physical Therapy program, as well as your financial aid options.
Students are responsible for securing their own travel and lodging arrangements for lab immersion weeks and clinical education.
Find Possibility in the Heart of the City
DISCOVER YOUR GROWTH POTENTIAL
Meet the needs of the times as a physical therapist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% job growth for physical therapists between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
FAQs
Answers to common questions about Spalding University’s entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
A total of 110 credit hours make up the program.
- Online classes and lectures (68 credit hours)
- Onsite immersive labs one week per month (26 credit hours)
- Clinicals (16 credit hours, 32 weeks)
Doctor of physical therapy students in the entry-level program complete 32 weeks of full-time clinical practice (16 credit hours).
Clinical experiences, integrated across all three years of the program, are arranged with the help of our Director of Clinical Education.
48 students are admitted to the Spalding entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
High-Impact Career Preparation
Spalding DPT graduates are prepared to promote peace and justice as leaders as physical therapists or rehabilitation directors in settings such as:
- Home health agencies
- Hospitals
- Inpatient rehabilitation units
- Outpatient clinics
- Sports medicine practices
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Wellness and sports performance
- Workplace health centers
quote needed
Attribution TBD
Spalding’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is led by
Kosair School of Physical Therapy faculty.
Accreditation
Effective October 25, 2022 the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Spalding University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 502-873-4449 or email physicaltherapy@spalding.edu.
Licensure Information for Charter Class
A decision about initial accreditation from CAPTE is expected prior to graduating from the charter class. Graduates from the DPT program will be eligible to apply for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) after the program receives initial accreditation. The dates for the NPTE are not yet scheduled for 2026.
