Doctor of Physical Therapy

Improve the Health of Individuals in Our Region and Society

Become a Leader in Improving Health Care in Our Region

Since it was established in 1996, East Tennessee State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has prepared physical therapy practitioners to be lifelong learners, emphasizing collaboration and leadership in order to improve the health of individuals in our region and society.

Through this program, you will learn the intricacies of human structure and function, the principles of psychosocial sciences, and how to develop effective treatment management programs. You’ll also dive deep into major factors influencing health care, analyze clinical findings and outcomes, and learn how to lead a health care team.

Then, you will get to practice that knowledge in hands-on clinical courses and fieldwork opportunities, with clinical practice opportunities beginning in your third semester.  

 Start your journey at ETSU today.

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Illustration of a physical therapist showing a patien how to do exercises on a yoga ball
 

Employment Rate
100% of graduates employed within 1 year of graduation


* 2021 and 2022 graduates seeking full or part-time employment in PT

 

Graduation Rate



100% average graduation rate 

* 2022: 100%, 2023: 100%

  

NPTE Pass Rate

78.7% average first-time pass rate 
* 2021: 91.7%, 2022: 66.7%



94.7% ultimate pass rate
* 2021: 100%, 2022: 89.7%

 



Application Deadlines


Early: October 1
Final: March 1


Learn More About the DPT Program at ETSU

  • Application Information

    HOW TO APPLY:

    1. Apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application System (PTCAS) www.ptcas.org  
    2. Students must also apply for graduate admission to ETSU through the ETSU College of Graduate School application 
    3. Send in your official GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores to school code: 1198

    Separate application fees are required by both PTCAS and the ETSU College of Graduate School>

    WHEN TO APPLY:



    Early Admission Deadline: Applications for the January 2025 cohort will be due by October 1, 2023 for early admission consideration.

    Final Admission Deadline: Applications for the January 2025 cohort will be due by March 1, 2024 for regular admission consideration.

    To meet a deadline, ALL required materials, including GRE and letters of recommendation, must be submitted by that deadline.

    Learn More

  • Program Costs

    In State Tuition & Fees 

    • Average per semester: $8,982.00 (8 semesters total)
    • Average per year: $23,952.00
    • Total Tuition & Fees (3 years): $71,856.00

    Out of State Tuition & Fees

    • Average per semester: $18, 543.00 (8 semesters total)
    • Average per year: $49,447.00
    • Average Total Tuition & Fees (3 years): $148,342.00

    Total Tuition & Fees Costs

    In State:

    • Tuition & Fees: $71,856.00*
    • Other Costs: $6,716.00
    • Total: $78,572.00

    Out of State:

    • Tuition & Fees: $148,342.00*
    • Other Costs: $6,716.00
    • Total: $155,058.00 

    More About Tuition & Fees

    CAPTE Financial Aid Fact Sheet

  • More Information



Careers in Physical Therapy

 

As a graduate of the DPT program, you will be prepared to work in a variety of physical therapy settings, such as: 



  • Rehabilitation 
  • Pediatrics 
  • Geriatrics 
  • Women’s Health 
  • Wound Care 
  • Hospice 
  • Acute Care 
  • Sports 
  • Orthopedics 
  • Home Health 
  • Cardiopulmonary 
  • Neurology

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. 




ETSU Health: Improving Health in Northeast Tennessee and Beyond

The College of Health Sciences is part of the university’s Academic Health Sciences Center (AHSC), which offers a robust combination of health sciences programs and patient-care facilities.  

Currently, ETSU is one of fewer than 125 institutions worldwide that are members of the Association of Academic Health Centers. 

Our AHSC, known as ETSU Health, prepares the future health care workforce and is a major provider of primary, specialty, and tertiary care throughout the region with 30 clinical sites and more than 250 health care providers.  

  Learn More  



Take Your Next Step


If you have any questions about this program, we’re here to help! Please reach out to our graduate coordinator for more information. 


Allison Bourassa
Allison Bourassa, D.P.T.
Graduate Coordinator
College of Health Sciences

bourassaa@etsu.edu
(423) 439-8275
VA Building 2, Room 216

 

 

Accreditation Information

East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website  (www.sacscoc.org).

CAPTE Accreditation Logo

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at East Tennessee State 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. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 423-439-8791 or email owensb@etsu.edu.  Any formal, written complaints against the program can be filed with CAPTE in the format provided by the Department of Accreditation.

CAPTE Financial Aid Fact Sheet