Program Overview

Our DPT program is an accredited 3 year full-time graduate program designed to prepare a generalist physical therapy practitioner and to foster lifelong professional development. The program begins in early June and includes classroom, laboratory, research and clinical learning experiences. Students participate in 36 weeks of clinical affiliations. As an academic health science center, the KU Medical Center provides ample opportunity for physical therapy students to interact with a large number of health care professionals, as well as students from other disciplines.

Admission to the DPT program is a competitive process. The faculty values a well-rounded applicant; one who has demonstrated his/her academic and cognitive abilities as well as his/her personal and professional potential. Class size is restricted; we generally admit no more than 36 students in any single year.

Completed applications will be processed as they are received. Applicants are notified as soon as the process is complete. Early submission of a complete application is encouraged. Applications will continue to be processed until the application deadline. After we have accepted our full class of student positions, applicants who meet the qualifications for admission will be offered a place on a waiting list.

KU subscribes to equal opportunity in its programs and activities. Consequently, it prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation and as covered by law, age and veteran status.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Kansas is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Comments or complaints about the program can be directed to CAPTE.

The DPT program is part of the KU Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. The department also offers the following programs:

Post-professional DPT program for therapists with PT degrees utilizes Web-based course technology. A degree in physical therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is required.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rehabilitation Science prepares individuals for leadership positions in research and academia. A major focus of the program is to advance the science of rehabilitation.

Our Mission

The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Kansas Medical Center is to prepare highly competent, critically thinking physical therapists committed to lifelong professional development. Through an evidenced-based clinical and didactic curriculum, our mission is to foster autonomous, professional practitioners, who provide high-quality, efficient, ethical and compassionate care to diverse and underserved populations.

Accreditation and Student Outcomes

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Kansas is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (www.capteonline.org), American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488, (703) 706-3245.

More information may be found on our accreditation page. Documents relating to accreditation status are available at the department office by request. See also: Information for students.

CAPTE Program Outcomes Data For the three most recent calendar years (2009, 2010, 2011), the performance of graduates of the KU Doctor of Physical Therapy program, as provided on the 2011 Annual Accreditation Report to the American Physical Therapy Association, was as follows:
Graduation rate – 2011	100%
Graduation rate – 2010	97%
Graduation rate – 2009	100%
Ultimate licensure exam pass rate (2009-2012)	100%
Percent of graduates employed as PT or PTA within six months of passing licensure exam (2009-2012)	100%