Become a Leader in Improving Health Care in Our Region
Since it was established in 1996, East Tennessee State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has prepared physical therapy practitioners to be lifelong learners, emphasizing collaboration and leadership in order to improve the health of individuals in our region and society.
Through this program, you will learn the intricacies of human structure and function, the principles of psychosocial sciences, and how to develop effective treatment management programs. You’ll also dive deep into major factors influencing health care, analyze clinical findings and outcomes, and learn how to lead a health care team.
Then, you will get to practice that knowledge in hands-on clinical courses and fieldwork opportunities, with clinical practice opportunities beginning in your third semester.
Start your journey at ETSU today.
36 Students Admitted Yearly
8-Semester Full-Time Program
Application Deadlines
Early: October 1
Regular: March 1
Student Outcome Data
ETSU's Doctor of Physical Therapy program provides students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success upon graduation.
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Employment Rate
- 100% graduates employed within 1 year of graduation
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Graduation Rate
- 98.7% average graduation rate for last two graduating classes (2023-100% and 2024-97.3%)
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National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) Pass Rate
- Average first-time pass rate of 93.2% on the NPTE for the last two graduating classes (2023-92.3% and 2024-94.3%)
- Ultimate pass rate of 95.9% for the last two graduating classes (2023 and 2024)
Learn More About the DPT Program at ETSU
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Admissions Information
HOW TO APPLY:
- Apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application System (PTCAS) www.ptcas.org
- Students must also apply for graduate admission to ETSU through the ETSU College of Graduate School application
- Send in your official GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores to school code: 1198
Separate application fees are required by both PTCAS and the ETSU Graduate School.
WHEN TO APPLY:
Early Admission Deadline: Applications for the January 2025 cohort will be due by October 1, 2023 for early admission consideration.Final Admission Deadline: Applications for the January 2025 cohort will be due by March 1, 2024 for regular admission consideration.
To meet a deadline, ALL required materials, including GRE and letters of recommendation, must be submitted by that deadline.
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Information for Current and Prospective Students
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More Information
Careers in Physical Therapy
As a graduate of the DPT program, you will be prepared to work in a variety of physical therapy settings, such as:
- Rehabilitation
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Women’s Health
- Wound Care
- Hospice
- Acute Care
- Sports
- Orthopedics
- Home Health
- Cardiopulmonary
- Neurology
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032,
much faster than the average for all occupations.
ETSU Health: Improving Health in Northeast Tennessee and Beyond
The College of Health Sciences is part of the university’s Academic Health Sciences Center (AHSC), which offers a robust combination of health sciences programs and patient-care facilities.
Currently, ETSU is one of fewer than 125 institutions worldwide that are members of the Association of Academic Health Centers.
Our AHSC, known as ETSU Health, prepares the future health care workforce and is a major provider of primary, specialty, and tertiary care throughout the region with 30 clinical sites and more than 250 health care providers.
Take Your Next Step
If you have any questions about this program, we’re here to help! Please reach out to our graduate admissions counselor for more information.
Melanie Falkenberg
Graduate Admissions Counselor
College of Health Sciences
falkenberg@etsu.edu
423-439-7112
Lamb Hall, Room 430
Graduate Admissions Counselor
College of Health Sciences
falkenberg@etsu.edu
423-439-7112
Lamb Hall, Room 430
Accreditation Information
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at East Tennessee State 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 423-439-8791 or email owensb@etsu.edu. Any formal, written complaints against the program can be filed with CAPTE in the format provided by the Department of Accreditation.
CAPTE Student Financial Fact Sheet
Resources