The Professional Doctoral Program is a full-time, in-person program that trains students to be patient-centered, evidence-based physical therapists. Classes begin in the summer and end in the Fall of the third year. The program includes a minimum of 106 graduate credit hours over eight semesters. The curriculum includes 26 didactic courses, integrated clinical education, and 3 full-time clinicals. 

Clinical education is an essential part of the program, and we are committed to providing high-quality experiences that prepare students for successful entry into the profession. Students participate in short-term, integrated clinical experiences embedded within courses as well as thirty weeks of full-time clinical education experiences interspersed throughout the program. Clinical experiences occur in a variety of practice settings and with diverse patient populations. Students should plan to travel for one or more of the full-time clinical experiences as several excellent learning opportunities are available outside the Syracuse area. These include experiences throughout the state of New York, including the Metro-NYC area, the tri-state area, and opportunities across the nation. 

Here’s what students can expect from their clinical assignments:

• 30 hours of full-time clinical experience
• One 8-week clinical, one 10-week clinical and one 12-week clinical
• A broad range of experiences, patients and settings

Graduates of this program receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. They're eligible to apply for licensure as physical therapists throughout the United States. Early assurance programs are available for high school seniors.

 

For information on the cost of this program, please review our financial fact sheet: https://www.upstate.edu/chp/pdf/dpt-student-financial-fact-sheet.pdf