Department of

Physical Therapy, Movement
and Rehabilitation Sciences

YOU ARE BOUVÉ

Leading innovation, education, and research in human movement and rehabilitation sciences.

The main focus of the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences is to impact the health and well-being of the global community by developing leaders in physical therapy, movement, and rehabilitation sciences through interprofessional experiential education, translational research, and excellence in clinical practice.

Our programs build on the university’s core values of interdisciplinary education, urban engagement, international knowledge, and cutting edge research. Our exceptional faculty are dedicated to promoting excellence in practice, education, scholarship, and community service. Faculty are engaged in active clinical research and practice.

We offer a number of pathways into careers in physical therapy, movement, and the rehabilitation sciences.

Video: Advancing Prosthetic Technology

Research Labs and Centers

Student walking amongst the reflections and light at the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex at Northeastern's Boston campus.

Our research mission is to build the evidence for best practices to maintain and improve the health and well-being of the local, national, and global community members.

Check out our labs and research areas below or for a more in-depth look, check out our research page.

Bouvé-News

Find your program

Meet the Department Chair

Darla Castelli

Dr. Castelli is an internationally recognized expert in the well-being of children, with a particular interest in the cognitive benefits of physical activity and healthy eating as protective health factors to reduce the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome.  Over the course of her research career, she has led 26 funded research projects as a PI and/or Co-I, totaling over $24 million in total research funding from sources including: National Institutes of Health; National Science Foundation; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and United States Department of Education. This funding has resulted in the development and implementation of 6 federally funded physical activity interventions for efficacy and randomized controlled trials, one large-scale, internally funded initiative to promote transdisciplinary team science, the publication of over 125 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 4 books, 11 book chapters, 2 Institute of Medicine reports, 15 technical reports, and over 150 peer reviewed abstracts.

Faculty Spotlight

About Us


Welcome to the Department of Physical Therapy Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences

The cornerstone of the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences is experiential learning aligned with the mission of Bouvé College and Northeastern University’s 2025 Academic Plan. The programs within the department enhance and extend students’ learning of human movement and rehabilitation through experiential education, interdisciplinary collaborations, interprofessional education, research opportunities and a variety of global educational experiences. The Department is led by a collaborative interdisciplinary body of faculty with research, scholarship, clinical, and teaching expertise across a diverse spectrum.

Vision

Lead through innovation, education and research in human movement and rehabilitation sciences.

Mission

Advance health, human movement, and rehabilitation sciences through interprofessional and experiential education, research, and practice within a dynamic global society.

Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Cesario


Chris Cesario — Northeastern University

Christopher Cesario, PT, DPT, MBA
Clinical Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences Northeastern University
301 Robinson Hall, Boston, MA 02115
Tel: 617-373-3508
[email protected]

BS in Rehabilitation Studies — Program no longer available

Upon completion of the program graduates will:

  • Be prepared to pursue careers in rehabilitative health services
  • Have an employment rate greater than or equal to 90% in rehabilitation field or enrollment in graduate health professional program in rehabilitation field
  • Apply effective written, verbal, technological, and non-verbal communication skills in all professional settings
  • Achieve a B or better in capstone course
  • Demonstrate a commitment life-long learning by pursuing advanced education through graduate school, and or continuing education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Upon completion of the program graduates will:

  • Achieve a graduation rate greater than or equal to 90%
  • Earn an ultimate pass rate NPTE greater than or equal to 90%
  • Have an employment rate greater than or equal to 90%
  • Be clinically competent Doctor of Physical Therapy who, guided by the APTA Core Values, excel in patient-client management and are culturally sensitive.
  • Exhibit professionalism, commitment to lifelong learning and the use of evidence-based practice.

PhD in Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences

Upon completion of the program graduates will:

  • Capable of leading and performing independent, new research projects related to rehabilitation and movement sciences.

Master’s in Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences

Upon completion of the program graduates will:

  • Capable of assisting and supporting independent, new research projects related to human movement and rehabilitation sciences.

The physical therapy program at Northeastern 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: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 617-373-3748 or email [email protected].

If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding this program, CAPTE has a mechanism to do so via this page: https://www.capteonline.org/complaints

View the 2023-2024 DPT Financial Fact Sheet.

APTA Contact Information
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Tel: 703-706-3245

Accreditation Handbook


Graduation RateEmployment RateFirst Time
NPTE Pass Rate
Overall
Pass Rate
Class of 2023100%92%81.4%87%
Class of 2022 99% 92.1% 85% 91%
Class of 2021 98% 100% 87%93%
Class of 2020 98% 93.7% 94%98%
*2019-2023 employment data based on 6-months from graduation survey.

2-Year
Graduation Rate
2-Year
Employment Rate
2-Year
Overall License Pass Rate
2022 – 2399.5%92%89%
2021 – 2298.5%96%92%

The Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences is committed to upholding Northeastern University’s Policy on Equal Opportunity, which prohibits discrimination and retaliation on the basis of protected categories.

We strive to create a diverse, inclusive community and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran or active military status, genetic information, or any other protected category.

Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences

301 Robinson Hall
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

617-373-3508
[email protected]


Staff

Elizabeth Holaday
Program Manager
Phone: 617-373-3748
Email: [email protected]

Marybeth Winter
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 617-373-3908
Email: [email protected]

Pamela Sarraulte
Program Manager
617-373-5200
[email protected]


Program Contacts

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Pamela Donlan, PT, DPT, EdD, CLT-LANA
Program Director and Associate Clinical Professor
617-373-5536
DPT Admissions Inquiries

Freshman Entry-Level Inquiries:
[email protected]

PBDPT Inquiries:
[email protected]

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Adam Thomas, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
Director
617-304-9253
[email protected]

MS in Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences
Mat Yarossi, PhD
[email protected]

PhD in Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences
Leanne Chukoskie, PhD
Program Director
[email protected]

Research
Gene Tunik, PT, PhD
Associate Dean for Research and Innovations
e.tunik@northeastern.edu