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As a physical therapy student at Midwestern University, you'll gain the education, professional training, and experience you need to become part of the next generation of healthcare professionals. Our team of faculty experts are dedicated to your success and will help you build your future as a competent, caring, and skilled physical therapist. In our comprehensive program, you will learn to use independent judgement, critical thinking skills, and evidence-based treatments to help patients improve their functional ability and regain health.
Program
Doctoral
Location
Downers Grove, IL
Duration
34 Months, Full-Time
Class Size
56
Graduation Rate
98.15%
The mission of the Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program is to educate students, using the highest standards of academic excellence, to become physical therapists who practice across the healthcare continuum, making meaningful contributions to their patients, community, and profession.
Midwestern University's Physical Therapy Program offers a course of study leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree for qualified students. The full-time, continuous, 34-month, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to deliver the academic and clinical education required to prepare students for their professional role as key members of the healthcare team and as an integral part of the healthcare delivery system. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of physical therapists uniquely prepare them to coordinate care related to functional improvement and functional ability.
The focus of the professional clinical doctorate degree program is the preparation of entry-level, generalist physical therapists who are able to provide competent, skilled professional services in a wide range of community and institutional practice settings that require independent judgment and self-sufficiency.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program prepares entry-level practitioners to provide physical therapy services in large, small, traditional, and nontraditional community and institutional practice settings that require independent judgment, leadership, and autonomous practice. The program also provides the foundation for graduates to identify and contribute to effecting solutions to the major, emergent health issues of our society and to contribute to the academic and clinical education of future practitioners. The graduate will be prepared to make valuable, ongoing contributions to society, healthcare, and the profession through leadership activities and collaborative efforts with others in physical therapy and professional education, practice, and research.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University begins in June of each year. The Program is 12 quarters long and is spread over the course of three calendar years (34 months).
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program offers a well-designed curriculum, enabling graduates to effectively and successfully meet the demands of working in today's healthcare community. Students and faculty form partnerships while developing the skills necessary for clinical practice and life-long learning. The Program provides opportunities for students from a variety of health care professions to work together and build collaborative relationships.
The Program has a total required credit hour capacity of 171.5 credits. A full listing of our courses can be found in the Midwestern University Catalog. Course descriptions are also available for viewing.
The maximum allotted time for completion of the program is 52 months.
Evidence-based practice; health promotion and wellness programs; simulated and integrated clinical experiences. Optional electives are offered during the 3rd year of study to qualifying students.
In order to meet the contemporary needs of physical therapy practice we are adding a new third-year musculoskeletal course to the curriculum. The Program’s curriculum is also being modified to incorporate additional oncology and pain science content.
The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE),3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (630)515-6462 or e-mail gwozni@midwestern.edu.
Midwestern University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413. 800/621-7440.
Students seeking admission to the Physical Therapy Program must submit the following documented evidence:
Science Courses | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
Biology with lab | 4 | 6 |
Human/Vertebrate Anatomy with lab | 3 | 4 |
Human/Vertebrate Physiology | 3 | 4 |
General Chemistry with lab | 4 | 6 |
General Physics with lab | 8 | 12 |
General Courses | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
Math (college algebra or above) | 3 | 4 |
Statistics (should include inferential statistics) | 3 | 4 |
English--must include at least one composition course (oral communication/public speaking is recommended) |
6 | 10 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (at least one course in psychology) | 9 | 13 |
*2 year average (class of 2019 and 2020) = 97.18%
Reported by the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy for MWU graduates
Community, Urban, Rural, Teaching Hospitals; Geriatrics; Pediatrics; Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Clinics; Schools
Evaluation and treatment, screening, education, referral, consultation, wellness promotion and prevention
Ranked as as one of Best 25 Jobs of 2020 by US News and World Report1
1 The Best 25 Jobs of 2020. US News and World Report, 2020. https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs (Accessed 6/30/2020)
100% of graduates from the Class of 2019 who sought employment, were working within 12 months of graduation as physical therapists based on MWU DPT Program Alumni Surveys, Correspondence and Employer Websites.
US Employment Projections through 2028 - Employment of physical therapists is expected to increase 22 percent from 2018 to 2028.1
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S., Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (accessed 6/30/2020)
$89,4401
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S., Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (accessed 6/30/2020)