Spalding University’s entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is offered in a hybrid, low residency format for students aspiring to become physical therapists. Students gain hands-on clinical experience to help patients regain their mobility after an injury through a variety of techniques and treatment methods.
Here are just a few career avenues you can pursue with an entry-level DPT degree:
Licensed Physical Therapist
A licensed Physical Therapist (PT) is a healthcare professional who evaluates, diagnose, and treat individuals with physical impairments, disabilities, or injuries to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function.
PTs create personalized treatment plans that may include exercises, manual therapy, and patient education, and they work in a variety of settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health. They collaborate with other healthcare providers and track patient progress through documentation.
Sports Physical Therapist
Physical therapists in sports medicine help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future ones. They create personalized programs with exercises, stretches, and manual therapy like massages. They focus on improving mobility, strength, and function based on each athlete’s specific needs.
Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. They work with patients recovering from surgeries such as joint replacements, fractures, sprains, strains, and chronic conditions like arthritis.
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Pediatric physical therapists focus on understanding the motor movements of a child and improving their range of motion, strength, flexibility and movement patterns. They see children for a variety of different reasons, including bone/muscle issues, sports-related injuries, or genetic, brain, spine, and nerve disorders.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for physical therapists will grow 14% from 2023 to 2033. The median annual wage for physical therapists was $99,710 in 2023.
Spalding University’s entry-level DPT program offers admission to students in their last year of undergraduate study. The program begins in the fall and has annual rolling admission. Visit our Entry-level DPT page to learn more about our program and get started.