The DPT major was established at Marquette in 2004 with the first graduates of the program entering the profession in May of 2005. The DPT curriculum is designed to develop the student completely as a person and as a professional. A foundation of courses in the humanities and sciences challenges the students’ personally by focusing not only on the intellect, but also upon the character of the student.
The DPT program leads to the completion of two degrees: a bachelor's degree in the academic area of choice, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. During the first 3 years of the program, students take the prerequisites and satisfy the requirements of their chosen undergraduate major. Exercise Science and Athletic Training are undergraduate degree choices within the College of Health Sciences. There are opportunities for fitness certification in the Exercise Science major. The last 3 years include the professional course work and clinical experiences.
The DPT program provides the students with examples of evidence based or best practice models to achieve desired outcomes and clinical training necessary to allow the student to practice in a variety of settings. Graduates of the DPT program are exposed to all aspects of physical therapy today and students will have the opportunity to pursue special interests in athletic training/sports, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary/fitness/wellness/geriatric/generalist, integumentary, management or Spanish.
The program has a faculty comprised of both proficient teachers and productive scholars who have a commitment to excellence in education and have demonstrated professionalism in all areas of teaching, research and service. The program is committed to cultural diversity and holds state and federal grants to support recruitment and retention of minority and disadvantaged students. Currently 20% of the physical therapy student body is from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT)
Marquette's direct entry freshman admission program leads to the completion of two degrees: a bachelor's degree in an academic area of choice and the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT).
The DPT degree is a professional degree suitable for students who seek licensure in physical therapy. This professional degree should not be confused with a PhD in Physical Therapy, which is an academic degree, appropriate for those clinicians wishing to pursue careers in research or academia and who already hold a degree in physical therapy. Graduates of Marquette's program are eligible to take the required examination to become licensed to practice physical therapy in the state of their choice.
Overview of the six-year DPT program consists of two phases: the pre-professional phase and the professional phase. During the three-year pre-professional phase, students will work toward completion of a bachelor's degree and will complete all undergraduate prerequisites for entry to the professional phase. Course selection will vary depending on each student's prior academic preparation and their choice of undergraduate major. There is a wide variety of undergraduate majors that incorporate the prerequisites which are completed in the preprofessional phase of the program.
- Participate in professional learning.
- Demonstrate the skills necessary to provide autonomous physical therapy services in essential practice areas as defined by the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
- Screen individuals through testing and differential diagnosis, to determine a physical diagnosis which is within the scope of physical therapy, and/or to determine the need for referral to other health professionals.
- Apply evidence based decision making in planning effective, cost efficient plans of care.
