Entry-level DPT
Spalding University’s new entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is offered in a hybrid, low-residency format. Lectures take place online, and you will attend lab sessions every month on our campus in Louisville, Kentucky. This format is more flexible than traditional DPT programs that are mainly made up of in-person classes.
- You’ll move through the program with a cohort of students much smaller than other DPT programs.
- You’ll learn with and from physical therapy students from around the country.
- You’ll work with a skilled and caring faculty who have experience in hybrid programs.
Additionally, Spalding’s entry-level DPT program offers admission to students in their last year of undergraduate study. Undergraduate admission allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree at the completion of your first year of DPT coursework.
Program Details
- Low residency, hybrid format
- 110 credit hours
- Online classes and lectures (68 credit hours)
- Onsite immersive labs one week per month (26 credit hours)
- Clinicals (16 credit hours, 32 weeks)
- Fall start date (annual rolling admission)
- 48 students per cohort
Tell us a little bit about yourself and we’ll be in touch with more information about our program.
Learn about our admission requirements.
Immersive Onsite Lab Experiences
With our hybrid, low-residency format, you’ll attend labs one week per month on Spalding’s campus in Louisville, Kentucky. During these hands-on, immersive lab experiences, you will apply the knowledge gained in your online classes. Your learning will take place in a newly-renovated facility that’s dedicated to physical therapy education.
This modern, practice setting is fully equipped and designed with the physical therapy student in mind. The nearly 22,000 sq. ft. facility includes anatomy and skills labs as well as a student lounge and study space. There is plenty of space to collaborate with your peers and faculty. You’ll also have the opportunity for interprofessional collaboration with other graduate students in nursing, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, social work and athletic training.
Hands-on Clinical Experience
You’ll be able to gain clinical experience in a variety of practice environments in Louisville and across the country. Our entry-level DPT curriculum includes 32-weeks of full-time clinical practice. The experiences will further build upon your skill and expose you to diverse, real-life practice opportunities.
- You’ll have the help of our Director of Clinical Education in selecting clinical sites.
- Clinical experiences are integrated across all three years of the program.
- Integrated clinical experiences will allow you to gain experience and build confidence prior to the three-month terminal clinical experience during your last semester of the program.
Sign up to learn more about our program.
Tuition, Fees, & Estimated Program Costs
The DPT at Spalding University is a 110 credit-hour program.
Please view our 2024-2025 Financial Fact Sheet to see an estimate of first year costs for the Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy. Our 2023-2024 Financial Fact Sheet is available for review as well.
Students are responsible for securing their own travel and lodging arrangements for lab immersion weeks and clinical education.
For more information about tuition, fees or other associated expenses, please visit our Cost of Attendance page.
Financial Aid Options
Spalding University has a robust offering of financial aid including scholarships, grants, loans, and other types of aid. Check out our Financial Aid page for more information.
Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy
Schedule a campus visit through our Graduate Campus Visit portal or contact our graduate recruiter Jarren Nixon
Health & Counseling Services
Your physical and mental health and wellness are essential to your academic success. The Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) center implemented teletherapy so students can receive services from the comfort of their residence hall room, home, or wherever they need to be for a private meeting. CaPS also continues to offer in-person services in the CaPS office as well. The Eagle Care Clinic offers both telehealth and office visits by appointment as well. Check out our Health and Counseling Services page for more information.
Accreditation
Effective October 25, 2022 the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Spalding University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 502-873-4449 or email physicaltherapy@spalding.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website.
Licensure Information for Charter Class
A decision about initial accreditation from CAPTE is expected prior to graduating from the charter class. Graduates from the DPT program will be eligible to apply for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) after the program receives initial accreditation. The dates for the NPTE are not yet scheduled for 2026.
Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement
Spalding University is an equal-opportunity educational institution. The University does not discriminate against otherwise qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.
(Reference https://catalog.spalding.edu/?id=1085)