Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

The mission and purpose of William Carey’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to create a challenging and caring academic community that prepares students to become compassionate and competent entry-level physical therapists who value excellence in practice, service to low-resource populations, and engagement in global health and wellness.

The Physical Therapy Program at William Carey University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085, (703-706-3245); email accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

Accreditation & Outcome Information

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Overview

Hours

The program can be completed in 12 trimesters, or 3 years.

Delivery Method

This program is delivered in a traditional in-person format at William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus, with required clinical/experiential learning that allows students to work alongside established and trusted industry experts, to gain advanced skills and knowledge to graduate, to become a leader in the profession, and to build their social impact as a physical therapist within our communities.

Curriculum

William Carey University offers the preferred entry level physical therapy program, the DPT. Primary content areas in the curriculum include biology/anatomy, diagnostic imaging, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/ values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, integumentary systems, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal structures and function.

Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements

Prospective Students must:

Complete all sections of the PTCAS application by November 1 at https://www.ptcas.org using Institutional Code 7400. Be sure to submit official GRE scores (within last 10 years) for verbal, analytical and written. Minimum score of 290 required (Quantitative and Verbal). However, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider and accept students not meeting minimum requirements who demonstrate excellence in related are. No documents should be sent directly to William Carey University.
Completion of baccalaureate degree (applicant’s choice) from an accredited college or university OR be in the senior year of undergraduate study.
Completion of Additional Prerequisite Courses (if not taken to complete your BS degree).
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 OR on the last 60 hours of graduate/undergraduate coursework. All prerequisites must be course work from regionally accredited U.S. colleges/universities or English-speaking Canadian colleges/universities.
Highly competitive applicants should have prerequisites completed within 10 years of the relevant application cycle. The admissions committee reserves the right to extend the period beyond 10 years on a case-by-case basis.
No more than 2 course prerequisites may be outstanding by the beginning of the Spring term of the year of the application cycle. Dual enrollment precludes admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program; all course work must be completed prior to the first day of class.
Complete 40 hours total of observation under a physical therapist in two distinctly different settings. Must be verified and submitted electronically to PTCAS.
William Carey University DPT program does not require an interview as part of the admission process. Prospective students are encouraged to schedule campus visits and attend a DPT2B interest meeting to learn more about the program. Please contact Dr. Becca Fleming at rfleming@wmcarey.edu or (601) 318-6584 for an appointment if desired.

DPT Fact Sheet

DPT2B Interest Meeting Information

Career Outlooks

With successful completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, graduates will be prepared to take the national board examination and work as a licensed physical therapist in all therapy settings, including acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and other rehabilitation settings, serving people of all ages with functional limitations, wellness challenges, injury, and illness.

PTA to DPT

The Department of Physical Therapy’s accredited PTA to DPT Bridge Program admits qualified licensed PTAs to earn their DPT degree in a hybrid learning format, allowing completion of the DPT degree while balancing work, life, and educational goals.

Program Overview

Hours

The program can be completed in 12 trimesters, or 3 years.

Delivery Method

This program is delivered in a hybrid format that allows students to continue part-time work as a physical therapist assistant while in the DPT program. Didactic preparatory work is completed online; and students commute to William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus for extended weekends three to four times per trimester to attend in-person classes and labs.

Required clinical/experiential learning experiences allow students to work alongside established and trusted industry experts, to gain advanced skills and knowledge to graduate, to become a leader in the profession, and to build their social impact as a physical therapist within our communities.

Curriculum

Primary content areas in the curriculum include biology/anatomy, diagnostic imaging, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/ values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, integumentary systems, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal structures and function.

Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements

Prospective Students must:

Complete all sections of the PTCAS application by June 1 at https://www.ptcas.org using Institutional Code 7400. Be sure to submit official GRE scores (within last 10 years) for verbal, analytical and written. Minimum score of 290 required (Quantitative and Verbal). However, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to consider and accept students not meeting minimum requirements who demonstrate excellence in related areas. No documents should be sent directly to William Carey University.
Completion of baccalaureate degree (applicant’s choice) from an accredited college or university.
Current PTA license. Must have graduated from a CAPTE accredited PTA program.
Completion of Additional Prerequisite Courses (if not taken to complete your BS degree).
Minimum pre-requisite GPA of 3.0.
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 OR on the last 60 hours of graduate/undergraduate coursework. All prerequisites must be course work from regionally accredited U.S. colleges/universities or English-speaking Canadian colleges/universities.
No more than 2 course prerequisites may be outstanding by the beginning of the Spring term of the year of the application cycle. All course work must be completed prior to the first day of class.
Complete 40 hours total of observation under a physical therapist in two distinctly different settings. Must be verified and submitted electronically to PTCAS.
William Carey University DPT program does not require an interview as part of the admission process. Prospective students are encouraged to schedule campus visits and attend a DPT2B interest meeting to learn more about the program. Please contact Alicia Sumrall at asumrall@wmcarey.edu or (601) 318-6288 for an appointment if desired.

PTA to DPT Fact Sheet

DPT2B Interest Meeting Information

Career Outlooks

Your Future Starts Here

Whether you are a first-time student or a working professional seeking to advance your career, William Carey College of Health Sciences has a place for you. We are excited to connect with you and guide you on your way toward joining the next generation of leaders and difference-makers in the global community!