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Doctor of Physical Therapy

Become a Qualified Physical Therapist in Just Two and a Half Years

Earn your doctorate and launch your career as a physical therapist in one of the nation’s top-rated, fastest-growing professions. Florida Southern’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will equip you with the skill set needed to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care to members of your community.

You’ll apply theory to practice with dynamic engaged learning experiences that combine traditional instruction with lab work, clinical practicums, and community learning. Enjoy small class sizes taught by trained practitioners and educators in FSC’s state-of-the-art classroom and lab facilities.

  • 36 weeks of full-time practicums
  • 108 semester credit hours

We are currently inviting qualified applicants to interview with us. Apply today to be considered.

Final Application Deadline is April 1, 2024.

Upcoming Term Start Dates

8/20/2024

CAPTE Statement

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the Florida Southern College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Nancy Nuzzo at 863.680.5126 or email nnuzzo@flsouthern.edu.

Top Reasons

Small Classes

Our Doctor of Physical Therapy classes are all face-to-face, with 36 students in each cohort. The ratio of 4 students per faculty member provides the benefit of hands-on learning and individualized attention from your professors.

Accelerated Program - 7 Semesters in 2.5 Years

Earn your doctorate in physical therapy in just two and a half years. Get a head start in taking your licensure exams and applying for jobs in your field.

Immersive Learning in the Community

Faculty lead students through engaged learning community experiences, working with clients across the lifespan prior to clinical practicums.

State of the Art Facilities

Learn in Florida Southern’s state-of-the-art, brand-new classrooms and laboratories, featuring the most up-to-date physical therapy technology and equipment.

Extensive NPTE Board Exam Preparation

Preparation for the National Physical Therapy Board Exam is built into the program’s curriculum. Once it’s time to sit your exam, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to pass your exam and get started on your professional endeavors.

Collaborative Clinic Work

The physical therapy doctoral program features the “Integrated Professional and Community Education” course series. These courses give you the opportunity to work alongside faculty who serve the needs of our local community through pro bono clinics and outreach.

Meet Our Mocs

Adriel A
Emily B.
Sylvia R
Will K

DPT students in class

DPT students in class

State of the Art Facilities

Take a look at the brand-new, multimillion-dollar facilities in which you will be learning. Florida Southern’s Academic Center for Physical Therapy features the most up-to-date physical therapy technology and equipment. 

Program Details

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution may be in progress at the time of application. However, the degree must be awarded prior to matriculation into the Florida Southern College School of Physical Therapy Program.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.00 (on 4.00 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of college course work. The average GPA for our accepted students in the last 60 credit hours is a 3.54.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.00 (on 4.00 scale) for all prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (C- does not meet this requirement). Please see the Prerequisite GPA section below for additional details. The average GPA for our accepted students for all prerequisite courses is a 3.35.
  • A minimum of 25 hours of demonstrable exposure to PT as evidenced by volunteer and/or paid work experience in a PT setting. Please make sure to include the Physical Therapy license number of the Physical Therapist verifying your Observation hours. Please note, we do not accept observation hours verified by a PTA. The average number completed by all PTCAS applicants last year was 198.4.
  • Three letters of recommendation: 1 from a licensed physical therapist (from applicant’s volunteer or work experience in a PT setting); 1 from a college level faculty member who has had you in class or was a program advisor; and 1 from either of the following: a licensed physical therapist or a supervisor/employer.
  • The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission. Please note, the GRE must be taken within five years prior to the time of application. GRE scores must be received by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete. Our program "superscores" the GRE if multiple attempts have been taken.
  • An on-campus interview by invitation only.
  • If admitted, a background check is required prior to matriculation. Our program participates in the PTCAS Background Check process through Certiphi Screening.

Additional International Requirements

  • Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
  • Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
  • Sponsor's Guarantee Form
  • Valid Passport
  • Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****

** SpanTran (discount available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny, or World Education Services or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.

*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.

**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.

Application materials should be submitted electronically via PTCAS.

Applicants failing to meet all of these minimum requirements will not be considered for admission to the School of Physical Therapy. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an applicant interview or admission to the program. All applicants and admitted students to the School of Physical Therapy must certify in writing that they are able to perform certain Essential Functions in order to participate and complete program requirements.

Approximately, thirty-six (36) students will be admitted to the School of Physical Therapy each year.

Don't forget to send all GRE results directly to Florida Southern using the GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 4525.

Prerequisite Requirements

No more than two prerequisite courses may be in progress during the spring semester prior to FSC School of Physical Therapy’s start date. Courses older than ten years will not be accepted.

Minimum Required Semester Hours Prerequisite Courses Acceptable Courses Florida Southern Course Equivalent
4 Total Semester Hours General Biology I with Lab Cell Biology or General Biology I BIO 1500 – Biology I: Biological Essentials
4 Total Semester Hours General Biology II with Lab Cell, Embryology, General Biology II, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular, Zoology, Botany. BIO 1600 – Biology II: Biological Diversity
4 Total Semester Hours Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab OR Human Anatomy with Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology I OR Human Anatomy
**Either option MUST be completed in biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department
BIO 2215 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
4 Total Semester Hours Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab OR Human Physiology with Lab Human Anatomy and Physiology II OR Human Physiology
**Either option MUST be completed in biology, neuroscience, anatomy, or integrated physiology department
BIO 2216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
4 Total Semester Hours General Chemistry I with Lab General Chemistry I CHE 1111 – Principles of Chemistry I
4 Total Semester Hours General Chemistry II with Lab General Chemistry II, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, OR Organic Chemistry CHE 1112 – Principles of Chemistry II OR CHE 2221 Organic Chemistry I
4 Semester Hours Physics I with Lab Physics I PHY 2010 – General Physics I (algebra based) and PHY 2051 – General Physics Lab I OR PHY 2110 General Physics I (calculus based) and PHY 2051 General Physics Lab I
4 Semester Hours Physics II with Lab Physics II PHY 2020 – General Physics II (algebra based) and PHY 2052 – General Physics Lab II OR PHY 2120 General Physics II (calculus based) and PHY 2052 General Physics Lab II
3 Semester Hours General Psychology General Psychology PSY 1106 – Psychology and The Social World
3 Semester Hours Additional Psychology course Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Lifespan Development, etc. must be taken in the Psychology department PSY 2209 – Developmental Psychology OR refer to current FSC Academic Handbook for other courses in the Psychology department
3 Semester Hours Statistics Math Statistics, Biostatistics, OR Psychology Statistics – but course must include both descriptive and inferential statistics MAT 2022 Elementary Statistics; MAT 2032 Biostatistics; PSY 2210 – Tests and Measurements

Coursework Petitions

An applicant can petition any of their previous coursework for acceptance to the School of Physical Therapy Admissions Committee utilizing the following procedure:

  1. An applicant writes a formal letter to the School of Physical Therapy. The letter and any supporting documentation should be submitted as an attachment to an email to FSCDPTAdmissions@flsouthern.edu.

    • Supporting documentation may include items such as course syllabi, course assignments, and letters from the course instructor. The GPA calculation spreadsheet (available via the FSC website) must be included for Last 60 and Prerequisite GPA completed to date.
    • Note: Only the formal letter and accompanying attachments will be reviewed. Any requests made in the body of an email will not be considered for review
  2. The letter and any attachments will be presented to the Admission Committee at the next meeting (meetings typically convene every 2 weeks, however, this depends on the time of year).
  3. Each letter is reviewed by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis and a decision will be communicated to the applicant via email.

If you have questions about how your individual coursework applies to our policy, please contact us at FSCDPTAdmissions@flsouthern.edu for further review.

Curriculum

Year 1

Fall - 18 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7110Human Anatomy for Physical Therapy - 6 Credit Hours
DPT 7120Kinesiology/Biomechanics for Physical Therapy - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7130Physical Therapy Clinical Assessment I - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7140Pathophysiology for Physical Therapy - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7150Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice I - 1 Credit Hour
DPT 7160Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) I - 2 Credit Hours

Information Hour I - 0 Credit Hours

Spring - 16 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7210Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I - 5 Credit Hours
DPT 7220Physical Therapy Clinical Assessment II - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7260Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) II - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7270Neuroscience for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7290Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I - 4 Credit Hours

Information Hour II - 0 Credit Hours

Summer 1 - 8 Credit Hours (8 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7340Pharmacology for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7360Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) III - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7370Acute Care Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7390Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours

Summer 2 - 6 Credit Hours (6 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7330Administration for Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7350Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice II - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7380Physical Therapy Clinical Education Theory - 1 Credit Hour
DPT 7395Applied Therapeutic Interventions for Physical Therapy - 1 Credit Hours

Year 2

Fall 1 - 10 Credit Hours (10 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7480Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum I - 10 Credit Hours

Fall 2 - 5 Credit Hours (5 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7410Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II - 4 Credit Hours
DPT 7460Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) IV - 1 Credit Hour

Spring - 18 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7510Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II - 4 Credit Hours
DPT 7520Geriatric Physical Therapy - 2 Credit Hours
DPT 7530Pediatric Physical Therapy - 4 Credit Hours
DPT 7540Advanced Clinical Lifespan Problem Solving - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7550Evidence-Based Physical Therapist Practice III - 3 Credit Hours
DPT 7560Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE) V - 1 Credit Hour
DPT 7570NPTE Review - 1 Credit Hour

Information Hour V - 0 Credit Hours

Summer - 10 Credit Hours (10 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7680Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum II - 10 Credit Hours

Year 3

FAll - 17 Credit Hours (16 Weeks)

Course NumberCourse Name
DPT 7780Physical Therapy Clinical Education Practicum III - 16 Credit Hours
DPT 7790Physical Therapy Seminar - 1 Credit Hour

Program Total - 108 hours

Download PDF

Program Costs

2023-2024
Total Estimated Costs (28 months)

  • Actual tuition paid at the beginning of each semester is based on $975 per credit hour.
  • Review the Financial Aid and Payment Information worksheet. Please note, that the semester budget includes non-direct cost estimates, including room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. This provides students the option to borrow additional aid to cover non-direct expenses.

External Scholarships and Resources

American Academy of Physical Therapy

For PT and PTA students in their final year of training. Selection places an importance on contributing to minority affairs.

Up to $2,500
Learn More about the American Academy of Physical Therapy

American Business Clubs (AMBUCS)

For graduate students enrolled in a graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology program.

Up to $6,000
Learn More about American Business Clubs (AMBUCS)

Daughters of the American Revolution Physical / Occupational Therapy Scholarship

For students accepted to or enrolled in an accredited PT or OT program.

Up to $2,000
Learn More about the Daughters of the American Revolution Physical/Occupational Therapy Scholarship

Employee Incentive Scholarship Program

For employees of the US Department of Veterans Affairs pursuing a degree in health care. Recipients must continue to work for the department for 1-3 years after degree completion.

Up to $40,000 over 3 years
Learn More about Employee Incentive Scholarship Program

Additional Resources

Meet our Faculty

Physical Therapy

Christine Morgan Christine Morgan, PT, DPT, SCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 220

 863.680.4679

Elizabeth Kuba Elizabeth Kuba, PT, DPT

Director of Clinical Education and Community Engagement

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 216

 863.680.4952

Jose Dominguez Jose Dominguez, PT, Ph.D., OCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 219

 863.680.4716

Lauren Wilson Lauren Wilson, PT, DPT, GCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 222

 863.680.4525

Maria J. Torres-Palsa Maria J. Torres-Palsa, PT, DPT, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 223

 863.680.4715

Nancy A. Nuzzo Nancy A. Nuzzo, PT, Ph.D.

Dean

Program Director

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 224

 863.680.5126

Ray Vanwye Ray Vanwye, PT, DPT, Ph.D., CCS

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

PTCAS Faculty Lead

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 217

 863.680.4714

Tyler Love Tyler Love, PT, DPT, OCS, MBA

Assistant Director of Clinical Education

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Campisi Center for Physical Therapy - 215

 863.680.4719

Related Materials

DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy Program thumbnail
DPT Curriculum thumbnail
DPT - Financial Aid and Payment Information thumbnail
DPT Outcomes thumbnail
FSC Graduate and Doctoral Programs thumbnail
FSC CAPTE Student Financial Fact Sheet thumbnail

What is the timeline to know if I’m accepted into the program?

We will have multiple interview dates with our first interview being in January and our final interview session being in the late Spring semester. Initial offers will be made in late spring and we will continue to make offers until the class size is filled. This will vary per year but is typically in March and May.

Are there any additional costs associated with the DPT program?

  • Cost for Tuition for the 28-month program*: $105,300 (actual tuition paid at the beginning of each semester based on $975 per credit hour.)
  • Books and Supplies: $4,500
  • Room: $28,000 (based on $1,000/month for 28 months)
  • Board: $11,200 (based on $400/month)
  • Transportation**: $5,000
  • Misc/Personal: $3,150
  • Background Check for Clinical Sites***: $250
  • Estimated Total Cost of the Program: $157,400

*Tuition paid at the beginning of each year.

**Estimated transportation costs may vary for student clinical education practicum based on the clinical site location.

***Estimated according to clinical site requirement.

What sets your program apart from other DPT programs?

One of the innovative parts of our curriculum is the Integrated Professional and Community Education (IPCE). The purpose of the IPCE course series is to provide students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned during didactic coursework while meeting essential community needs.

On a weekly basis, all of our students will provide volunteer services at one of four community organizations the program partners with. This is a unique opportunity that exposes the students to work with patients/clients across the life span within the environment in which they live, work, and age, and it better prepares them to deliver physical therapy services that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and evolving society.

Do you have any out of state clinical opportunities?

Yes, we have clinical agreements with many states throughout the United States. Additionally, if you have a specific area or location that you would like for your clinical practicum, we are very open to facilitating a new agreement that would be a good fit for the program and the student. Please feel free to discuss this more with our Director of Clinical Education, Dr. Elizabeth Kuba (863-680-4952 or FSCDPTClinicalEd@flsouthern.edu).

How many people apply each year?

While each admission cycle varies, we typically have a range of 400 to 800 applicants apply to our program. 

In-Person

DPT Candidate Interactive Capstone Project Presentations

Adult & Grad Admissions

DPT Candidate Interactive Capstone Project Presentations

Apr 19 1:00 PM 4:00 PM

As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete a case report or case study as a Capstone project. Case reports or case studies serve to provide evidence on cases that will reflect inquiry, problem solving, and clinical decision making from examination and diagnosis through treatment and outcomes in patient care. The expected benefits of these case studies include advancing the knowledge and education of physical therapists and informing future treatment of other patients with similar conditions and presentation.

Location: Florida Southern College School of Physical Therapy - 820 South Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801

Online

DPT Virtual Information Session

Adult & Grad Admissions

DPT Virtual Information Session

Adult and Graduate

May 23 11:00 AM

An online webinar for prospective doctoral students to learn more about Florida Southern College's School of Physical Therapy. This event is designed to present on overview of our DPT program, provide an opportunity to connect with faculty and hear testimonials from current students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Location: Online

Program Contact

Abbey Bonet Abbey Bonet, MSHE

Assistant Director of Adult and Graduate Admission

 863.680.3090

 863.777.4434