Physical Therapy / Doctor of Physical Therapy
Program: DPT-PTED-5
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Lewis University offers a comprehensive, lockstep sequence, full-time entry-level curriculum, designed for completion over 7.5 consecutive semesters. The program is carefully aligned with the university's mission and values, striving to admit a diverse student body to prepare healthcare providers capable of serving an equally diverse clientele. The program's vision highlights the importance of collaboration with both fellow practitioners and clients to provide personalized care, emphasizing Lewis’ values of fidelity, wisdom, and justice. Faculty members are dedicated to preparing clinicians who are transformative, culturally informed, and socially responsible.
At the core of its educational philosophy, the program is built on the university's Catholic and Lasallian heritage, emphasizing the significance of the movement system in physical therapy practice, education, and research. The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering critical thinking, empathetic patient care, inclusivity, and social justice. The program's mission is to inspire students to become excellent, ethical specialists in the movement system, reflective, collaborative, evidence-informed, and socially responsible in their practice.
To explore the detailed information about Lewis University’s DPT program, as well as information regarding the DPT program’s CAPTE accreditation status, please visit the official website.
Good Academic Standing
Class Attendance
Academic Probation and Dismissal
See Academic Probation and Dismissal
Grade Appeal
Other Academic Appeals
See University Policies and Procedures for Appealing Other Academic Matters
Academic Dishonesty
Incomplete Grade Policy
The DPT program is structured in a lockstep sequence, making the timely completion of each course essential for students to progress academically. In cases where a student has completed most of a course's requirements but faces unexpected, verifiable circumstances preventing them from finishing, they may request an "Incomplete" (I) grade. This request is at the instructor's discretion and depends on the student's performance and the seriousness of their situation. The Dean approval is required to approve the request.
To convert an "I" grade into a passing grade and earn credit, the student must complete the outstanding coursework as specified by the instructor. The instructor is then responsible for submitting a grade change. The completion deadline for any incomplete work is before the registration period for the next term or semester, ensuring that the student can proceed with their planned sequence without interruption.
Given the structured sequence of the program, extending the deadline for completing an incomplete grade is generally not allowed. However, in exceptional circumstances, an extension may be granted with approval from both the Program Director and Dean. If a student has not resolved their “I” grade by the beginning of the next semester, they are required to apply for a leave of absence (refer to the leave of absence policy for details).
Failing to either secure an extension under extraordinary circumstances or to complete the outstanding coursework by the approved extended deadline will lead to the "I" grade being updated to "IF." An "IF" grade signifies a failure due to incomplete coursework and does not earn any credit.
See Incomplete Policy.
Leave of Absence
In a lockstep sequence program, where courses are taken in a fixed order without deviation, a graduate student who needs to temporarily suspend their studies due to exceptional circumstances (such as medical, personal, or professional reasons) is required to seek an official leave of absence to maintain their program status. However, given the structured nature of the program, a student may only request a leave of absence for the duration of an entire academic year, aligning with the program's lockstep scheduling.
Should extraordinary circumstances necessitate further interruption, the student may apply for additional yearly leaves, up to a maximum of two academic years. To request a leave, the student must fill out a Leave of Absence form and submit it to the Program Director for evaluation and decision. Failure to obtain approval for a leave of absence, or neglecting to request one, mandates the student to reapply for admission and adhere to the curriculum requirements effective at the time of their re-enrollment.
Similarly, a student opting to defer the commencement of their studies must notify the Program Director, with deferments applicable on a yearly basis, adhering to the lockstep program’s schedule. The maximum deferment period is two academic years. Upon resuming the program, the student will be subject to the current curriculum and must adhere to all academic policies from the point of full matriculation.
See Leave of Absence.
Graduation Requirements
See University Graduation Requirements Applicable to all Graduate Students.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PTED 71000 | Human Anatomy 1 | 2 |
| PTED 71001 | Human Anatomy 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 71100 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| PTED 71300 | Fundamental Skills in Physical Therapy Practice | 2 |
| PTED 71301 | Fundamental Skills in Physical Therapy Practice Lab | 1 |
| PTED 71600 | Movement Science 1 | 2 |
| PTED 71601 | Movement Science 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 71700 | Professional Topics in Physical Therapy 1 | 2 |
| PTED 71900 | Evidence-Informed Practice 1 | 2 |
| PTED 72000 | Human Anatomy 2 | 2 |
| PTED 72001 | Human Anatomy 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 72100 | Musculoskeletal 1 | 2 |
| PTED 72101 | Musculoskeletal 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 72200 | Clinical Neuroscience | 1 |
| PTED 72201 | Clinical Neuroscience Lab | 1 |
| PTED 72300 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PTED 72600 | Movement Science 2 | 2 |
| PTED 72601 | Movement Science 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 73000 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| PTED 73100 | Musculoskeletal 2 | 2 |
| PTED 73101 | Musculoskeletal 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 73200 | Neuromuscular 1 | 2 |
| PTED 73201 | Neuromuscular 1 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 73400 | Therapeutic Modalities | 1 |
| PTED 73401 | Therapeutic Modalities Lab | 1 |
| PTED 73700 | Professional Topics in Physical Therapy 1 | 2 |
| PTED 73800 | Diagnostic Imaging & Clinical Decision-Making | 2 |
| PTED 74000 | Community Health & Well-being | 1 |
| PTED 74001 | Community Health & Well-being Lab | 1 |
| PTED 74100 | Musculoskeletal 3 | 2 |
| PTED 74101 | Musculoskeletal 3 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 74200 | Neuromuscular 2 | 2 |
| PTED 74201 | Neuromuscular 2 Lab | 1 |
| PTED 74400 | Integumentary & Oncologic Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTED 74401 | Integumentary & Oncologic Physical Therapy Lab | 1 |
| PTED 74700 | Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTED 74701 | Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Lab | 1 |
| PTED 74900 | Evidence-Informed Practice 2 | 2 |
| PTED 75000 | Service-Learning in Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTED 75100 | Interprofessional Collaboration & Practice | 1 |
| PTED 75200 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTED 75201 | Pediatric Physical Therapy Lab | 1 |
| PTED 75300 | Differential Diagnosis | 1 |
| PTED 75301 | Differential Diagnosis Lab | 1 |
| PTED 75500 | Medically Complex Patient Management | 2 |
| PTED 75501 | Medically Complex Patient Management Lab | 1 |
| PTED 75800 | Adaptive & Assistive Technology | 1 |
| PTED 75801 | Adaptive & Assistive Technology Lab | 1 |
| PTED 76000 | Clinical Education 1 | 8 |
| PTED 76100 | Leadership & Advocacy | 1 |
| PTED 76200 | Geriatric Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTED 76201 | Geriatric Physical Therapy Lab | 1 |
| PTED 76500 | Integrated Patient Management | 1 |
| PTED 76501 | Integrated Patient Management Lab | 1 |
| PTED 76700 | Primary Care Physical Therapy | 1 |
| PTED 76701 | Primary Care Physical Therapy Lab | 1 |
| PTED 77000 | Clinical Education 2 | 8 |
| PTED 77100 | Clinical Education 3 | 8 |
| PTED 77900 | Physical Therapy Comprehensive Examination | 1 |
| PTED 78000 | Clinical Education 4 | 8 |
| PTED 78900 | Doctoral Capstone Project | 1 |
| Total Hours | 112 | |
Admissions Overview
Lewis University's DPT program welcomes applicants who meet the comprehensive admissions criteria. The DPT program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of physical therapy.
Application Procedure: Prospective students must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
Admission Requirements
Observation Hours
In the program's application review process, applicants are required to complete a minimum of 40 PT observation hours from either a PT or a PTA, observing in at least two different settings, without assigning any weighting to these hours or penalizing applicants for exceeding the requirement. These observation hours are viewed as opportunities for applicants to gain valuable insights into the field of physical therapy, confirm their interest and dedication, and develop a deeper understanding of clinical practices and patient interactions. While exceeding the minimum requirement or having experiences across various settings may demonstrate a broader understanding of the profession, it is not a requirement for consideration. Instead, the focus is on evaluating applicants holistically, considering their academic achievements, personal attributes, experiences, and potential contributions to the physical therapy profession, with PT observation hours serving as one component of this comprehensive evaluation.
Academic Prerequisites
To ensure applicants are well-prepared for the DPT program, the following coursework must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Pass/Satisfactory grades are accepted.
Course Pre-requisites
- Human Anatomy with Lab: 4 credits
- Human Physiology with Lab: 4 credits
- Alternatively, an 8-credit two-course sequence in Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) with lab, completed within the last 10 years. Licensed clinicians may request a waiver.
- Biology I & II with Lab: 8 credits
- Chemistry I & II with Lab: 8 credits
- Physics I & II with Lab: 8 credits
- Psychology: 6 credits
- Statistics: 3 credits
- Medical Terminology: 1 credit
Admission Timelines
Final Deadline: See Important Notice
The admissions process operates on a rolling basis, emphasizing "the sooner, the better" for submissions. To ensure your application for the DPT program at Lewis University is considered, please complete all prerequisite coursework and observation hours. We eagerly anticipate reviewing your application and hope to welcome you into our community of aspiring physical therapy leaders.