About this Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Old Dominion University is a full-time three-year curriculum that includes classroom instruction, laboratory instruction and practice, online interactions, readings and homework assignments, discussions, peer-teaching, seminars and clinical experiences. Our mission is to prepare graduates to prevent, diagnose, and treat dysfunction and to enhance the well-being of individuals and the community. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take the licensing exam to be able to practice as physical therapist.

Program Highlights

  • Our faculty are dedicated to excellence in professional teaching, research, and service to the profession, the university, and the community

  • Students work with standardized patients to develop their interactive skills, because what good is knowledge if you cannot apply it in a socially skillful way?

  • The program provides opportunities for clinical education experiences in a variety of health care institutions, agencies, and practice settings

  • Faculty continually review and modify learning activities to reflect emerging discoveries in best care practices and changing modes of communication

  • The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Old Dominion 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. View verification of the program’s current status with CAPTE. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757-683-4682 or email Archana Vatwani at avatwani@odu.edu .

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Physical Therapists

$88,080 Median Salary

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

Alumni Careers

Hospitals
Clinics & Private Practices
School Systems
Rehibilitation Centers
Nursing Facilities
Home-Health

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Physical Therapy at ODU?
Students entering the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Physical Therapy should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.

Each year the DPT Program accepts about 40 students.  They start the program in late May and move through the semesters as a cohort to graduate in May, three years later.

  • Have completed or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution

  • Have completed or be in the process of completing all science prerequisite courses as listed on our Prospective Students page

  • Complete the Graduate Record Exam – a score of 148 each on the verbal and quantitative sections and 3.5 on the writing section is recommended

  • Complete at least 40 hours of volunteer or paid work/observation of physical therapy practice in at least TWO (2) distinctly different PT clinics or settings (treating different patient populations) under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

  • Complete an ODU graduate admissions application in addition to the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

Cost

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $599
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $623
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,439

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Scholarships

Scholarships in the range of $1,000 to $2,000 are available for three DPT students who have successfully completed their first year of study. The application process is competitive.

Assistantships

Graduate assistant jobs are available for two DPT students who have completed their first year and a half of study. The application process is competitive.

On-Campus Employment

After the first year of study, some students take on-campus jobs at the Student Recreation Center helping people with disabilities complete an adapted workout routine.

Contact

Graduate Program Director

3110 HEALTH SCIENCES BLDG
NORFOLK, 23529