Doctor of Physical Therapy

• Outcome 1.1: Core faculty will publish or present one scholarly product every two years in a peer-reviewed venue.

• Outcome 1.2: At least 50 percent of core faculty will be active in clinical practice.

• Outcome 1.3: 100 percent of board-certified faculty will maintain board certification in their areas of specialty.

Outcome 2.1: 100 percent of core faculty will attend at least one workshop per year related to teaching and learning.

Outcome 3.1: 100 percent of core faculty engage in one leadership, advocacy, service, or mentorship activity per year.

• Outcome 4.1: 50 percent of graduates surveyed report completing at least one leadership, advocacy, and/or service activity per year.
• Outcome 4.2: 100 percent of students complete a minimum of three leadership, advocacy, and/or service activities prior to graduation.

• Outcome 5.1: A minimum of 85 percent of graduates will pass the National Physical Therapy Examination on the first attempt.
• Outcome 5.2: 85 percent of students will pass the final competency exam on the first attempt.
• Outcome 5.3: It is expected that 100% of the students will achieve a final mark of at or above “entry-level” across all performance components of the PT CPI upon completion of the terminal clinical education experience.

Outcome 6.1: 100% of students will achieve a final mark at or above “entry-level” on the PT CPI, items 2 through 4 (i.e., Professional Behavior, Cultural Competence, and Communication) upon completion of the terminal clinical education experience.

• Outcome 7.1: 75% of graduates surveyed report “always” or “often” utilizing evidence to optimize patient outcomes.
• Outcome 7.2: 50 percent of students attend at least one local, state, or national conference or continuing education course.

• Outcome 8.1: 75 percent of graduates surveyed report “always” or “often” collaborating with other members of the health-care team to maximize care of a patient/client.
• Outcome 8.2: 100 percent of students will participate in at least one interprofessional education experience.

• Outcome 9.1: The program will host a minimum of two virtual or in-person advisement sessions for potential health-care and/or DPT students on an annual basis.
• Outcome 9.2: The program will participate in a minimum of one career advisement session per year for middle, high school, and/or college students from underrepresented communities.

• Outcome 10.1: The physical therapy education program will hold a minimum of one town hall meeting per year to offer opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback for program planning and improvement.
• Outcome 10.2: The physical therapy program will plan modifications to improve the program based upon faculty discussion at an annual faculty retreat.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in order to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program?

No.

You do not need an undergraduate degree to apply and receive a decision regarding your application. However, you must hold a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education prior to starting classes.  

Is there a particular area of study my undergraduate degree must be in?

No. 

Your undergraduate degree can be in any field of study. Applicants with any undergraduate field of study will be considered so long as you meet the program pre-requisites. Typically, prospective DPT students major in areas of study such as exercise science, biology, kinesiology, biomedical sciences, psychology, public health, etc. 

Are there specific pre-requisite courses needed to apply for the program?

Yes. 

All pre-requisite courses are listed under the Academic requirements section of the website.

What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) needed for considering my application?

A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for all coursework completed from all undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate level colleges/universities ever attended.

Each pre-requisite course must meet a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with the exception for a B- grade (2.7) in no more than 2 pre-requisite courses.

I did not start out with good grades at the beginning of my undergraduate coursework. Are you able to make exceptions to the minimum GPA requirement if my GPA Is close to 3.0?

There are no exceptions for applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements (GPA, prerequisites, etc.) for entry into the program.

I am not sure that a particular course is equivalent to one of the prerequisite courses. How can I find out?

You may email us at [email protected] with the course number/code/department, the college or university where the course was taken and the course description. We will review and make a determination as appropriate.

If I retake a pre-requisite course will it replace the initial grade in my GPA calculation?

No. 

The course GPA from all attempts will be averaged as per St. John’s University Policies.

Am I required to take the GRE?

No.The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

How long is the program?

The program takes 3 full years to complete and involves 34 weeks of clinical placement. 

When is the application deadline?        

The application deadline for the Summer 2023 start term are as follows:

• Priority deadline: January 16, 2023 
• Final deadline: March 15, 2023
  • Applicants must submit all documentation (observation hours, recommendation letters) and transcripts by this date.

Do all the prerequisite courses need to be completed before applying?

It is recommended that no more than two prerequisites be in progress or planned after the application deadline. If you are enrolled in or plan to enroll in prerequisite courses that you have not yet completed, please indicate this on your admission application and submit proof of enrollment to the Admissions Committee ([email protected]).

Are interviews a required part of the application process?

Yes.

Qualified, competitive applicants will be invited to take part in an interview as part of the admission process. Interviews may be conducted in person or virtually as decided by the DPT program.

Is there a supplemental application fee?

No.

There is no supplemental application fee. However, there is a standard fee charged by PTCAS for each application submitted to an institution.  More information can be found on the PTCAS website.

Is the DPT program accredited?

The DPT Program at St. John's University has Candidacy for Accreditation Status by CAPTE. Candidacy Status assures that if you successfully complete all of the program requirements for graduation, you will be qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Licensing Examination. Licensure varies by state. Please visit the Office of the Professions for the state that you are interested in seeking licensure in for specific licensure requirements by state. NY State Office of the Professions for further details. Please note that licensure requirements vary by state.

When does the program start each year?

Classes typically begin the day after Memorial Day and coincide with the Summer I course schedule. DPT Summer courses are approximately 10 weeks and coincide with Summer I and Summer II coursework. Students are required to attend an Orientation Day, which will be held 1-2 weeks prior to start of classes. 

How many students are accepted each year?

A maximum of 45 students can be admitted each year.

Do you accept advanced placement (AP) courses taken in high school?

Yes. We currently accept AP courses that were taken in high school.

How do I apply?

All applications are submitted through the PTCAS portal.

Students must have attained a baccalaureate degree prior to the start of the program and have completed all prerequisite course work within the indicated grade point average (GPA) academic thresholds. Applicants must successfully complete all pre-requisite course within 10 years of application submission. Only official transcripts will be reviewed. The required prerequisites for the program include

• A minimum overall GPA and cumulative science GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Successful completion of the following prerequisites with a minimum 3.0 GPA for each course, with the exception for a B- grade in no more than 2 of the following pre-requisite courses:
  • General biology with lab–two semesters or eight credits
  • General chemistry with lab–two semesters or eight credits
  • General physics with lab–two semesters or eight credits
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology with one lab–two semesters or eight credits
  • Behavioral sciences (i.e., psychology or sociology)–two semesters or six credits
  • English composition–one semester or three credits
  • Statistics or above–one semester or three credits

Foreign credit transcripts evaluation should be completed by a NACES member with US equivalency degree and GPA. St. John's students receive a discount from SpanTran.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo required for international applicants without a US degree conferral.

• Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Current certification in standard first aid
• Minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or work experience with a physical therapist

Three letters of recommendation from professionals (academic and occupational; at least one of these references must be from a licensed physical therapist).

A written personal statement (500 word minimum) describing why the applicant wishes to become a physical therapist.

The University’s current graduate tuition rates

The University’s required fees 

The University’s tuition refund policy 

Apply for Aid

Office of Student Financial Services
718-990-2000
[email protected]

Students integrate and apply didactic knowledge from the classroom through clinical practice experiences in a variety of settings. Students learn to interact with patients/clients, families, caregivers, and other members of the health-care team under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

The clinical education experiences are 34 weeks in total and begin in the second year of the program during the second half of the summer semester. Students are immersed in six weeks of clinical education. The first clinical is followed by three experiences in the third year of the program (i.e., eight weeks, eight weeks, and 12 weeks).

St. John’s has established clinical sites agreements with more than 50 sites that include a variety of practice settings, including medical centers, hospital systems, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, and many more. Each student is provided experiences in a variety of clinical practice settings to ensure and promote entry-level competency as a generalist in physical therapy practice upon graduation. Students will also be provided an opportunity to interface with the Athletic Department at St. John’s.

Below is a list of current clinical affiliations for the program. For a full list of all clinical affiliates for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, please visit the Clinical Affiliations page.

Students must be able to observe classroom demonstrations, read examinations and written and illustrated material, and view supplemental teaching materials in the classroom, clinic, and on the internet. The student must be able to read and discriminate research evidence and findings on patient examination and diagnostic tests. The student must be able to observe and differentiate facial expressions, signs and symptoms of illness, disability and disease, patient’s body structure and function, and activities and participation in functional activities from both the Gestalt and detailed perspectives.

Students must be able to speak, hear, and observe patients to elicit information and perceive and communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and nonverbally, with patients, families, caregivers, students, faculty, and other healthcare team members with sensitivity, empathy, and compassion. Students must learn to recognize and respond to the emotions of others in a socially appropriate and professional manner. Students must also be able to read and communicate effectively orally, electronically, and in writing to comprehend, analyze, share, and debate large volumes of written material.

Students must have sufficient sensory and motor ability to see, hear, and feel sensory input and to be able to elicit information from patients, families, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team. Students must be able to conduct components of a physical examination and administer physical therapy interventions to optimize a patient’s movements and function. They must have sufficient strength, muscle tone, coordination, postural control, and endurance to teach and assist patients in performing functional activities. Sensory-motor requirements include teaching exercise, facilitating and providing resistance to movements, lifting, transferring, and assisting patients in performing functional activities, including ambulation on the level and unlevel surfaces and up and down from the floor. 

Students must be able to self-reflect and critically assess their thoughts and actions to be effective physical therapists. They must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships and apply these skills to patient care. Students must be able to calculate, select, prioritize, plan, analyze, synthesize, and integrate information pertinent to patient care and the practice of physical therapy. They must be able to think critically, develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills, solve complex patient cases and design evidence-based, effective interventions for patients. They must be able to work effectively, within a reasonable time period in the classroom and clinical setting, individually and in collaboration with students, faculty, patients, families, caregivers, and other healthcare team members.

Students must have the emotional health to use his/her/their intellectual ability fully. They must behave consistently with the Core Values of St. John’s University, the APTA, and APTA Code of Ethics during all interactions and social situations inside and outside of class, including on electronic and social media. They must also behave in a manner consistent with the St. John’s University Student Code of Conduct through the embodiment of honesty, integrity, good judgment, and promoting a culture of kindness. Students must be able to sustain effective, collaborative interpersonal relationships with patients, students, faculty, and other members of the health-care team. They must be organized, flexible, and able to promptly meet all didactic and clinical responsibilities. Students must be able to tolerate emotional and physical stress and still function effectively and they must be receptive and willing to modify their behavior based upon constructive criticism.

The first cohort of students is expected to graduate in May 2026. The graduation rate for each cohort will be posted annually within two months of cohort graduation.

The pass rate of graduates on the National Physical Therapy Examination will be posted annually on this website.

The graduate employment rate will be posted annually on this website.

The graduate career outcomes will be posted annually on this website.

According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028—faster than the average for all occupations. 

New York State Education Department Office of Professions

For full details on licensure requirements within New York State, please visit http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pt/ptlic.htm#pt

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

The FSPBT develops, maintains, and administers the NPTE for two reasons:

1) To help ensure that only those individuals who have the requisite knowledge of physical therapy are licensed in the physical therapy field.
2) To help regulatory authorities evaluate candidates and provide standards that are comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Purpose of the NPTE

The examinations are designed to assess your basic entry-level competence after graduation from an accredited program or from an equivalent non-accredited program.

Visit the FSBPT Web site www.fsbpt.org/NPTE  for additional information about these examinations, including examination content outlines, and answers to frequently asked questions.