The Doctor of Physical Therapy 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.

Features of Marquette University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program:

• Ranked 13th/239 in the country by US News and World Report, 2020 https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings
• Complete 2 degrees in 6 years
• Choose from a large variety of undergraduate majors
• Special area of interest concentrations
• Exercise Physiology major and Master of Athletic Training program are part of the department and offer dual credentials for greater marketability
• Distinguished faculty
• Program committed to cultural diversity
• Over 700 clinical sites nationwide
  

   

  EXPECTED GLOBAL STUDENT OUTCOMES

  One of the defining characteristics of a Marquette education is the focus on cura personalis – care of the whole person. In that vein, we expect that Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program will embody that characteristic. Graduates of the Physical Therapy program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills necessary to practice autonomously within a direct access environment in essential practice areas as defined by the Guide for Physical Therapist Practice.
  2. Use testing and differential diagnosis to screen individuals in order to determine appropriateness for physical therapy services, and/or to determine the need for referral to other health professionals.
  3. Apply evidence based decision making in planning patient care.
  4. Address social determinants of health within the plan of care.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduation Rates

Year of Graduation	Number of Students Enrolled	Graduation Rate	Recent 2-Year Average
2018	53	92.3%	96% (Class of 2017 & 2018)
2019	54	82%	88% (Class of 2018 & 2019)
2020	69	98.5%	91% (Class of 2019 & 2020)
2021	67	98%	96.25% (Class of 2020 & 2021)
2022	69	89%	93.5% (Class of 2021 & 2022)
2023	73	97%	TBD

National Board Examination Pass Rates

National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) pass rates are reported by The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Year of Graduation	Number of Graduates	Graduates Who Passed NPTE on First Attempt	First Attempt Pass (2-Year Average)	Overall Pass Rate on NPTE (%)
2018	53	100%	100% (2017 & 2018)	100%
2019	54	96.7%	98.4% (2018 & 2019)	100%
2020	65	96.8%	96.8% (2019 & 2020)	100%
2021	67	92.5%	94.7% (2020 & 2021)	100%
2022	59	86.4%	89.5% (2021 & 2022)	98% as of 2/24
2023	64	87.1%	86.8%	100%

Employment Rates

Graduation Year	Number of Graduates	Number of Graduates Who Sought Employment, Employed Within 1 Year of Passing the NPTE	Number of Graduates Who Sought Employment, Employed Within 1 Year of Passing the NPTE (2-Year Average)	Employment Rate for All Graduates (%)
2018	53	53	100% (2017 & 2018)	100%
2019	54	54	100% (2018 & 2019)	100%
2020	65	65	100% (2019 & 2020)	100%
2021	67	65	98.5% (2020 & 2021)	100%
2022	59	57	96.8% (2021 & 2022)	98%
2023	63	62	98.3 (2022 & 2023)	98%

 

State Licensure/Certification Disclosure

The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:

CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Does Not Satisfy Educational Requirements: None

No Determination Made: American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

Please contact Allison Hyngstrom, PT, PhD, Chairperson, Department of Physical Therapy for more information.