Physical Therapy (DPT) - Career Outcomes

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Your prospects as a physical therapist are virtually limitless. As the life expectancy for Americans lengthens, the need for physical therapists to care for them will increase. Opportunities for employment are growing daily.

PTs have their choice of working on their own or in a clinic, hospital or office setting; you also may choose to move into other careers in government, health care or rehabilitation institutions, or to teach, conduct research or work in health care administration.

Career Options

• Working in patient care to help people manage disabilities and regain the skills necessary to live independently
• Promoting health and the quality of life through community education
• Analyzing work environments and recommending ergonomic changes to reduce injuries
• Screening older adults for potential risk of injury
• Working with athletes on high school, college or professional teams
• Developing new techniques for patient care
• Participating in clinical research

Places to Practice

• Large medical systems with acute-care and specialty clinics
• Inpatient and subacute rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities
• Community hospitals and clinics
• Ambulatory care/outpatient physical therapy offices
• School/preschool programs, educational settings and research centers
• Occupational medicine
• Home health care
• Sports medicine clinics and fitness facilities
• Early intervention
• One's own practice

Rewarding Futures

The University's DPT graduates earn competitive salaries immediately following graduation. Employment rate post-graduation is 100%.

Licensure

Physical therapists must be licensed to practice, and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (http://www.fsbpt.org/). This exam does not need to be taken again for licensure transfer to another state, provided that one's score satisfies the scores for each individual state in which one practiced. The only requirement to take the examination is graduation from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited program, such as the University's DPT program.

The 2-year graduation rate calculated using the new CAPTE formula is 85.5% for the DPT Classes of 2017 and 2018. Using the historic U.S. Department of Education methodology, the 2-year graduation rate (DPT Classes of 2017 and 2018) is 89.5% for on-time graduation and 96.1% for graduation within 150% of anticipated graduation date. The two-year ultimate pass rate on the national licensure examination for the DPT Classes of 2016 and 2017 is 100%.  For USciences graduates who responded to the alumni survey, 100% were employed within 6 months of passing the licensure exam (2017, 2018). To access further details on pass rates, visit this link on the FSBPT website.