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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
When you join Bradley’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you’re stepping into a legacy of success—with a 100% graduation, licensure, and employment rate. That means every graduate is fully prepared for a rewarding career in physical therapy.
Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and top-tier training to master the science of movement, restore function, and improve lives. If you’re ready to take the next step toward a meaningful career, Bradley’s DPT program is the place to start!
If you have further questions about our program, please contact us at bradleydpt@fsmail.bradley.edu.
Experiential Learning
- Unmatched Clinical Experience: 36 weeks of full-time clinical rotations plus 4 semesters treating real patients in Bradley’s free neuromuscular clinic
- Research & Conferences: Conduct cutting-edge research and attend state and national conferences, such as the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association
- Tight-Knit Cohort Model: Move through the three-year, full-time residential program with a supportive group of peers and expert faculty
Program Details
The program will consist of several faculty presenting different aspects of the program, the admission committee chair will talk about the application process. You will have time to ask questions of faculty and students. Priority admission is given to individuals who have made a campus visit.
Space is limited for some of the events, so we ask that you bring only one additional person (not prospective student/family member) with you.
IMPORTANT: you must register for these events by clicking the link below. You must supply a working email address. Specific information will be sent to you (place, parking, links for virtual events, etc.
The event is limited to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and to those applying to PT school in the Summer/Fall of 2026. Individual visits can be arranged on a limited basis for individual who cannot come to an Admission event. If you have any questions, please contact bradleydpt@bradley.edu
Career Opportunities
Program graduates are employed in a wide range of settings across the country, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, sports enhancement facilities, and pediatric clinics. A number of our graduates have opened their own private practice clinics.
The program will consist of several faculty presenting different aspects of the program, the admission committee chair will talk about the application process. You will have time to ask questions of faculty and students. Priority admission is given to individuals who have made a campus visit.
Space is limited for some of the events, so we ask that you bring only one additional person (not prospective student/family member) with you.
IMPORTANT: you must register for these events by clicking the link below. You must supply a working email address. Specific information will be sent to you (place, parking, links for virtual events, etc.
The event is limited to college sophomores, juniors, seniors and to those applying to PT school in the Summer/Fall of 2026. Individual visits can be arranged on a limited basis for individual who cannot come to an Admission event. If you have any questions, please contact bradleydpt@bradley.edu
2026 DPT Open House Dates:
- Sat April 18th, 2026 – 1 pm
- Thurs April 23, 2026 – 7 pm (VIRTUAL)
- Fri July 10th, 2026 – 2:30 pm
- Sat Sept 12, 2026 – 1 pm
- Thurs Sept 24, 2026 – 7 pm (VIRTUAL)
Vital Statistics and Outcomes
- 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 – 28 students (max) per class
- Clinical Hours – Approximately 1400 clock hours or 36 weeks
- Tuition – Check current tuition rates
- Faculty – 12 full time faculty, 11 who are PT’s, 8 have advanced doctoral degrees (PhD, DSc), and 2 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.)
- Number of Applicants – 3-year average – 193
- Acceptance Rate – 3-year average – 27% of applicants get an offer
- Matriculation Rate – 3-year average – 51% of those offered a place in the class accept the offer
- Average Cumulative GPA – 3-year average – 3.66
- Average Required Course GPA – 3-year average – 3.52
- Average GRE – 3-year average – Verbal 151; Quantitative 152
- 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.
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 2024 and 2025.
2024
- 100% graduation rate
- 96.3% First-time licensure pass rate
- 96.3% Ultimate licensure exam pass rate
- 96.3% Employment rate
2025
- 100% graduation rate
- 84% First-time licensure pass rate
- 100% Ultimate licensure pass rate
- 100% Employment rate
2024-2025 Two-year average
- 100% Graduation rate
- 90.4% First-time licensure pass rate
- 98.15% Ultimate licensure exam pass rate
- 98.15% 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.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Application Information
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Bradley University 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 309- 677-3180 or email bradleydpt@fsmail.bradley.edu.