Department Chairperson: Lana Svien, PT, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Therapy
Lee Med, Room 302
Phone: (605) 677-5000
Fax: (605) 677-6745
pt@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/pt 

Click on any of the following programs for information:

• Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Transitional Physical Therapy (t-DPT)

FACULTY

Professors:

Richard Ekstrom, PT, D.Sc., Rocky Mountain University. Specialization: Orthopedic Physical Therapy.
Joy Karges, PT, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Education, Lymph edema Issues.
Roy Osborn, PT, D.P.T., M.S., OCS, University of North Dakota. Specialization: Knee and Shoulder Problems.
Lana Svien, Department Chairperson, PT, Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center. Specialization: Pediatric Physical Therapy.

Associate Professors: 

Patti Berg-Poppe, PT, Ph.D., NCS, University of South Dakota. Specialization: Pediatric Neurologic Physical Therapy, Motor Control and Motor Learning.
Patrick Hauer, PT, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Differential Diagnosis, Gait, Orthotics, and Prosthetics. 
Becca Jordre, PT, D.P.T., GCS, Duke University, Specialization: Rural/General Practice, Spine, Women’s Health, Geriatrics.

Assistant Professor:

Kory Zimney, PT, D.P.T, CSMT, Des Moines University, Specialization: Chronic Pain.

Instructor:

Nicolle Samuels, PT, MSPT, CLT-LANA, CWS, CKTP, University of South Dakota. Specialization: Integumentary Physical Therapy.

DEGREE

Doctor of Physical Therapy  
Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy   

Doctorate in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

Program Description

The University of South Dakota Physical Therapy Department offers a graduate level program for individuals seeking entry-level professional education. Physical Therapy is concerned with the prevention of disability and the restoration of function following disease, injury, or loss of function. The goal of physical therapy is to help patients reach their maximum performance potentials while learning to live within the limits of their capabilities. Physical therapy, the science of healing and art of caring, involves evaluation, treatment planning, performance of tests and measures, client education, consultative services, and supervision of support personnel.

The American Physical Therapy Association Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits the University of South Dakota Physical Therapy Department. The mission of the University of South Dakota Physical Therapy Department is to develop scholars, practitioners, and life-long learners who provide evidence based physical therapist services throughout the patient lifespan and demonstrate leadership within rural and medically underserved practice environments.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Specific prerequisite courses are required. The prerequisite course work needed is (this sample is based upon the University of South Dakota curriculum):

*Or a combined Human Anatomy/Physiology course with a minimum of 6 credit hours with lab taken over 2 semesters.

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or better, based on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or better (includes only prerequisite coursework)
• GRE General test
• Completion of personal statements
• Physical Therapy Observation and/or experience (minimum of 50 hours)
• Personal interview with the USD Physical Therapy Department by invitation
• Applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check upon acceptance.
• Additional requirements exist for international students and applicants with degrees from other countries.

Application Deadline

• Applications for admission are available through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) a service of the American Physical Therapy Association. PTCAS will allow applicants to use a single Web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple physical therapist education programs. Please visit http://www.ptcas.org for application instructions. Early Admission deadline is in September and General Admission deadline is in December in the year prior to the fall entrance. Please contact the Department of Physical Therapy for verification of current requirements. 
• Completion of the USD Graduate School application and payment of $35 application fee is required.

Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (t-D.P.T.)

Department Chairperson: Lana Svien, PT, Ph.D.
t-D.P.T. Program Director: Patti Berg-Poppe, PT, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Therapy
Lee Med, Room 302
Phone: (605) 677-5000
pt@usd.edu  
www.usd.edu/pt 

Program Description

The transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree (t-D.P.T.) at the University of South Dakota is the first online doctoral program in the South Dakota Regental System. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree is conferred upon completion of a structured 5 semester, 25 credit hour, online post-professional program. The program was designed to parallel the American Physical Therapy Association’s “Preferred Curricular Model for the Transitional Clinical Doctoral Program and Learner”, as well as their “Transitional Clinical Doctorate Competencies Document”.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (t-D.P.T.), applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Possess a current license to practice physical therapy
• Graduate from a Physical Therapy program accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education (CAPTE) or foreign trained with current PT licensure in the United States (in good standing)
• Possess a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7
• Meet one of the following:
  • Hold a certificate in Physical Therapy plus a bachelor’s degree in select field plus 20 years of experience in the field of PT
    -OR-
  • Possess a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy plus 10 years of experience in the field of PT
    -OR-
  • Possess a master’s degree in Physical Therapy plus two years of experience in the field of PT

Application

1. Complete the graduate application found at: www.usd.edu/grad/how-to-apply.cfm.  
2. Send a non-refundable application fee of $35 made payable to: University of South Dakota.

Applicants must submit the following:

• Copy of current Physical Therapy License
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume/CV demonstrating the previously listed admission requirements and any relevant information in the following categories: continuing education since graduation, professional memberships, service activities, awards granted, leadership positions, publications/presentations, and physical therapy work history 
• Two letters of recommendation
• Successful completion of criminal background check upon acceptance