Doctorate of Physical Therapy Overview
Physical Therapists Allow Clients and patients to Optimize Movement and Function.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
- Cohort 2 Applications: Applications for the second cohort, with classes starting on January 20, 2026, are now open.
- Cohort 3 (starting January 2027): Cohort applications open mid-June 2025.
All applications for the 麻豆传媒高清 University DPT Program should be submitted through the .
All applications for the 麻豆传媒高清 University DPT Program, just southeast of Chicago, Illinois, in Romeoville, should be submitted through the .
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DPT Faculty Expertise: The core and adjunct faculty members of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program are recognized experts with Board certifications in various specialty areas, as well as holding state and national leadership roles, which ensures that students learn from leaders shaping the profession.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology: Our DPT program is the first in the nation to integrate cutting-edge mixed-reality tools, such as HoloAnatomy庐, offering an unparalleled immersive learning experience. Combined with 3D anatomy resources and advanced synthetic anatomical models, these technologies create a dynamic, interactive, and innovative learning environment.
- Diverse Clinical Education Experiences: Physical therapy students begin hands-on clinical training in term 6, focusing on inpatient acute care, subacute hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health, and outpatient clinics.
What do Physical Therapists do?
As a physical therapist, you will be trained and licensed to perform a broad range of activities, including the evaluation and treatment of individuals recovering from injury or disease, and in programs for maintaining wellness and fitness for those without apparent disease or injury. Physical therapists provide patients and clients with services that restore function, enhance mobility, relieve pain, prevent or limit physical disability, and promote health and well-being. These may include, but are not limited to, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, providing treatments or interventions based on their evaluation, and providing health and wellness interventions and education.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at 麻豆传媒高清 University will prepare graduates to pass the physical therapy licensure examination required to practice as a physical therapist in Illinois and across the nation. Through innovation and integration of education, scholarly activities, service, and clinical care at our Illinois campus, DPT students will learn to optimize movement and function across the lifespan in diverse populations, communities, and individuals. You will become a reflective, ethical, culturally informed, socially responsible, and innovative clinician who will lead and work collaboratively in the ever-evolving healthcare field. Faculty, graduates, and students at 麻豆传媒高清 will use movement to improve the human condition.
Career Outlook for Physical Therapists
Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Demand for physical therapy is expected to come from aging baby boomers who are staying active later in life, and people who are susceptible to chronic health conditions.
The median salary for physical therapists is $101,020. The average pay will vary based on location, work environment, and work experience. That is why we prioritize clinical experience in diverse fields and locations, as well as a rigorous curriculum to prepare graduates for high levels of professional competency.
DPT Curriculum
麻豆传媒高清 University DPT students will be uniquely educated to be innovative human movement specialists. Graduates will be critical thinkers, who practice with integrity, autonomy, and inter-professional skills, in contemporary evidence-based practice as innovators, health advocates, and global citizens.
- 112 semester credit hours
- 7.5 semesters
- Classroom experiences in foundational sciences, professional topics, clinical sciences, evidence-informed practice, and research/innovation experiences.
- 32 weeks of Clinical Education
Classroom Experiences: The curriculum offers a dynamic, in-person program in Romeoville, Illinois that seamlessly integrates traditional lectures and hands-on laboratory experiences with the enriching elements of case studies, interprofessional collaborative education, and team-based learning. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the finest aspects of diverse curricular models.
Clinical Education: Students in the DPT program will have a variety of clinical experiences that are representative of those in which physical therapy is commonly practiced. Four 8-week clinical experiences will include the areas of orthopedics, neurorehabilitation, acute care, and niche areas of practice such as pediatrics, geriatrics, etc. Each rotation provides DPT students opportunities to immerse themselves in multiple clinical environments and geographic locations, ensuring comprehensive, real-world preparation for professional practice.
Complaints
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Complaints to the Accrediting Body (CAPTE)
Anyone wishing to register a complaint concerning what appears to be the 麻豆传媒高清 DPT Program's failure to meet an evaluative criterion can follow the instructions available on the CAPTE website () or contact the Department of Accreditation of APTA at 703.706.3245.
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General Complaints
Any issues related to faculty, staff, or students, including those concerning discrimination, harassment, academic integrity, or grading disputes, must follow the protocols outlined in the 麻豆传媒高清 University Campus Student Handbook (for students) and the 麻豆传媒高清 University Employee Handbook (for faculty and staff), both available on mylewis.edu. 麻豆传媒高清 University strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against individuals who raise concerns or submit complaints in good faith.
External parties who wish to file a complaint related to the 麻豆传媒高清 University DPT Program may do so without fear of reprisal. Complaints should be directed to Dr. Arvie Vitente, the DPT Program Director, at 815.836.5702 or via email at avitente@lewisu.edu. Dr. Vitente, in collaboration with the Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, will review and determine the appropriate course of action.
In cases where a conflict of interest is evident or suspected, involved individuals may recuse themselves from the proceedings to ensure a fair resolution. If the concern or complaint involves the Program Director, the matter should be escalated to Dr. Daisy Sherry, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, at SherryDa@lewisu.edu or by phone at 815.836.5249.
Program Outcomes
First data will be available in 2028-29.
DPT Program ACCREDITATION
Effective October 29, 2024, 麻豆传媒高清 University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Arvie Vitente, Program Director at 815-836-5702 or email avitente@lewisu.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; ) or specific state.
Effective October 29, 2024, 麻豆传媒高清 University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Arvie Vitente, Program Director at 815-836-5702 or email avitente@lewisu.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; ) or specific state.
Key Dates:
- CAPTE site visit scheduled for the penultimate term (Spring 2027) of the inaugural cohort.
- Graduation of the inaugural cohort in August 2027.
- First licensure examination available to graduates in October 2027.
- CAPTE accreditation decision expected in Fall 2027.
FAQS
How many years is PT school?
Our DPT program in Illinois is 2.5 years in length. This includes 84 weeks of didactic coursework and 32 weeks of full-time clinical rotations.
Does the DPT program accept transfer students?
No. We do not accept transfer students into the DPT program.
Can I work while in PT school?
It is not recommended to work part-time or full-time while earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The curriculum is rigorous, and during any downtime, we encourage students to rest, engage in non-stressful activities, participate in community life, and prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
What undergraduate degree do I need to apply to the DPT program?
Applicants may complete an undergraduate degree in any field, as long as all prerequisite courses are successfully completed. We utilize a holistic admissions process that considers a broad range of academic and personal qualities.
Questions?
Contact the Office of Graduate Admission at grad@lewisu.edu or (815)836-5610.
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