redefining what’s possible
Northeastern University Physical Therapy graduates are innovative, global leaders who excel in clinical practice, research, and community service. Ours is one of the longest-accredited Physical Therapy Programs in the United States, and the only program offering cooperative education opportunities. Our students graduate with exceptional clinical decision-making skills and experience in the field of physical therapy.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is designed for individuals who hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in any major and have satisfied the prerequisite requirements.
Experiential learning is a hallmark of our program, and we offer students a variety of educational opportunities including:
Students participate in several simulated patient encounters with people living in the community, representing a variety of health conditions, as well as standardized patients in our interprofessional, state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation center.
Our DPT program builds on the university’s core values of interdisciplinary education, urban engagement, and cutting-edge research. Our exceptional faculty and staff are dedicated to promoting excellence in interprofessional practice, education, scholarship, and service.
Degree type:
– Doctor of Physical Therapy
– Accredited by CAPTE
Study options:
– On ground (Boston Campus)
– Full-time
Application deadlines:
Priority: Nov 15
Final: March 15
Cost:
Financial Fact Sheet
Learn more about fees and tuition
GRE: Not required
F1 Eligible: Yes
Professional Licensure: In accordance with federal regulations, click here for Northeastern University’s Professional Licensure Disclosure statement for this program as determined for each of the 50 U.S. states and territories, with a link to that State’s or Territory’s board or licensing agency. This table informs you if successful completion of this degree program meets the educational component or certification requirements for the State or U.S. Territory where you are located or where you intend to reside in the future.
Have questions? Sign up for one of our upcoming information sessions and get answers.
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 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
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Darla Castelli, PTMRS Department Chair, at 617-373-7911 or email [email protected]
| Graduation Rate | NPTE Pass Rate | Employment Rate | |
| 2-year average | 94.5% | First time: 85% Ultimate: 97.4%* | 92.5% |
| Class of 2025 | 95% | First-time: 81.4% | 90% |
| Class of 2024 | 94% | First-time: 88.4% Ultimate: 96.8% | 95% |
Over the course of three academic years, the DPT program curriculum provides rigorous didactic learning, augmented by experiential opportunities. The curriculum prepares students to enter a profession that addresses the rehabilitation, health promotion and wellness needs of individuals across the lifespan. The availability of state-of-the-art simulated laboratory learning experiences as well as clinical interactions with independent community consultants supplement the didactic component of our program.
Our exceptional faculty and staff are dedicated to promoting excellence in interprofessional practice, education, scholarship, and service.
In addition to the full-time course schedule detailed above, enrolled students are able to apply for the two following concentrations while in the program:
The Sports Performance Concentration enhances a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program graduate’s ability to collaborate with performance-focused individuals and athletes in various settings as part of multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports performance specialists. The sports performance concentration may serve as a professional catalyst for future graduate specialization programs or clinical residencies.
The Pediatric Physical Therapy Concentration enhances entry-level Physical Therapy (PT) graduates’ ability to provide interprofessional, family-centered care for children from infancy through young adulthood across diverse settings.
Whether you are a high school student who is interested in pursuing a career as a physical therapist, or a current college student at Northeastern or elsewhere, there are pathways geared toward your successful enrollment in the DPT program.
The Admissions Committee welcomes applications from bachelor’s degree holders with diverse educational backgrounds. Decisions are based on the individual applicant’s academic qualifications and potential.
If you pursue your undergraduate degree at another institution, you are welcome to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Northeastern via the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS). Information about that process and our requirements for external applicants is below.
If you are a current Northeastern undergraduate student, and you wish to enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, we offer a direct guaranteed acceptance for Northeastern undergraduate students interested in continuing their studies in the DPT program. For guaranteed acceptance, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative and prerequisite GPA, complete the required prerequisite coursework, and submit a resume, official transcript, letter of reference, and a personal statement. You can work with your academic advisor to ensure completion of the required prerequisite coursework.
As a Northeastern undergraduate student, you will be able to take advantage of the Double Husky Scholarship when enrolling in the DPT program, which offers a 25% tuition discount to enrolling students who have already completed a Northeastern degree. If you have questions, please reach out to Elsie Holaday, Program Manager.
Notes: A minimum grade of C is required for all prerequisites, however there may be additional requirements for any outstanding prerequisites, which will be specified in the student’s admission letter. | Please note that online labs are now being accepted.
| Course | Minimum credits | Lab required? |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry I | 4 | Yes |
| Chemistry II | 3 | No |
| Physics I | 4 | Yes |
| Physics II | 4 | Yes |
| Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 | Yes |
| Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 | Yes |
| Exercise Physiology | 3 | No |
| Course | Minimum Credits |
|---|---|
| General Psychology | 3 |
| Higher Level Psychology | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
A minimum of 40 observation/volunteer hours in a Physical Therapy facility is required. All components of the application to the DPT program must be received by the noted deadline in order for prospective students to be considered for acceptance into the program.
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
Minimum overall prerequisite GPA of 3.0
Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
A minimum of 40 hours of verified observation
A non-physical therapy baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. program, or an international baccalaureate degree with English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL) included.
Statement of purpose
Official transcript from baccalaureate program and all college coursework
Disclaimer: A maximum of four prerequisite requirements may be in progress at the time of application, however all must be completed prior to matriculation. Only those applications that have been completed (including verification by PTCAS) and submitted prior to the deadline will be considered.
Please reach out to:
Dr. Jessica Maxwell, PT, DPT, PhD
Program Director
Clinical Professor
Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences
301F Robinson Hall
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115-5000
617-373-5536
The DPT program is a full-time, on-ground program, and there are no part-time options available.
No, students are required to complete the full curriculum sequence at Northeastern to receive the DPT degree.
Yes, the Physical Therapy program has been fully accredited since 1930.
Our DPT program begins in the Fall semester of each academic year. Students are admitted to the program on a rolling basis.
Each cohort is approximately 100 students, with approximately 25 students per lab section.
