Vital Statistics and Outcomes
DPT Program
- Accreditation: The program is fully accredited until 2033 by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education Programs
- Length: 36 months - 3 Summers, 3 Fall semesters, and 3 Spring semesters
- Start Date: Summer Session I, usually the last week of May
- Class size: 27 students per class
- Clinical hours: Approximately 1400 clock hours or 36 weeks
- Tuition: 2024-2027 is $81,000 (subject to change) – Includes tuition for three years, most supplies, subscriptions, and APTA dues.
- Faculty: 12 full time faculty, 11 who are PT’s, 7 have advanced doctoral degrees (PhD, DSc), and 3 are near completion of the terminal degree. Seven part-time faculty teach specific portions of the curriculum relative to their clinical expertise. Numerous other clinicians from a variety of disciplines teach as guest lecturers. (Most of the full-time faculty have teaching responsibilities in the undergraduate program.)
DPT Program Applicants
- Number of Applicants: 3-year average - 252
- Acceptance Rate: 3-year average - 22% of applicants get an offer
- Matriculation Rate: 3-year average – 49% of those offered a place in the class accept the offer
- Average Cumulative GPA: 3-year average – 3.67
- Average Required course GPA: 3-year average – 3.47
- Average GRE: 3-year average – Verbal 151; Quantitative 151
- Required Observation Hours: 40 hours of specific observation hours in a physical therapy clinic is required, although having at least 100 hours of observation is highly recommended. It is understood that applicants will have had some exposure to physical therapy and health care. On your application, you will be asked about your exposure to PT.
Outcomes
According to standards implemented by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) data regarding student outcomes must be made available to the public. These data will be updated annually.
The Physical Therapy program at Bradley University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and confers the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to students who successfully complete their course of study. The Program has been accredited in an ongoing fashion since its inception. The most recent re-accreditation was granted in May, 2023 for the maximum allowable ten years.
The following DPT student outcomes reflect students who have completed the DPT program in May 2022 and 2023.
2022
- 100% graduation rate
- 88.9% First-time licensure pass rate
- 100% Ultimate licensure exam pass rate
- 100% Employment rate
2023
- 100% graduation rate
- 82.1% First-time licensure pass rate
- 100% Ultimate licensure exam pass rate
- 100% Employment rate
2022-2023 Two-year average
- 100% Graduation rate
- 88.5% First-time licensure pass rate
- 100% Ultimate licensure exam pass rate
- 100% Employment rate
What is the history of the physical therapy program at Bradley University?
Physical therapy began at Bradley University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT). Initial accreditation was received in 1994. In 2000, we began the Master of Physical Therapy program (MPT) and phased out the BSPT. Our last Master’s students graduated in 2006. In 2005, we began the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the first class graduated in 2008.
Why is a doctoral degree necessary for physical therapy?
We encourage to you follow the links to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) frequently asked questions about the DPT. Go to APTA, then click on Education, click on Educational Programs – Professional PT, then click on DPT degree FAQ’s.