Dec 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)


Admissions Information   

Student Learning Outcomes  

The graduation requirements are subject to change. Please contact the department to verify the currently required course work. The total number of hours for graduation is 126 semester credit hours. The program begins in the fall and is completed in 8 semesters.

Program Overview


The doctoral program’s curriculum provides skills in leadership, ethics, service and patient-centered care serving medically underserved and rural clinic environments. It focuses on evaluation, treatment planning, performance of tests, client education, consultative services, and supervision of support personnel. This program has been accredited by CAPTE since 1993. Learn more at usd.edu/pt.

DELIVERY: On campus

Doctorate in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.): Total 126 credit hours


Year Three - Fall Semester: Total 12 credit hours


Year Three - Spring Semester: Total 12 credit hours


Total 126 degree credit hours


General Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Statement of purpose
  6. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Accelerated DPT Program: Biology, B.S.-Human Dynamics Specialization with DPT standard program


Admissions Information  

The accelerated 3+3 program partnering Biology and Physical Therapy allows students pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a specialization in Human Dynamics to count 29 credit hours of the first year of the doctoral degree in physical therapy (DPT) toward the final (fourth) year of undergraduate programming (biology elective courses). The student will complete 91 credits of undergraduate coursework (including PT Program pre-requisites) before matriculating to the DPT program.

[key word search: 3+3 or 3 plus 3 program]

Program Leading to Professional Licensure


Location Matters. This program allows only on-campus courses during the first semester and is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification required for employment in South Dakota. If you intend to apply for licensure or certification outside of South Dakota upon completion of your program, please review and understand the licensure or certification requirements in that state. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites.

This program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative.

Questions?


Department of Physical Therapy
605-658-5999 | pt@usd.edu | usd.edu/pt

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad