Doctor of Physical Therapy

Welcome to the developing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Western Kentucky University. The purpose of the DPT Program, an entry level professional program, is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become skilled physical therapists. The DPT Program consists of 118 credit hours over 3 years. The mission of the WKU DPT Program is to serve the health care and preventative needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including the rural and under-served areas, by developing culturally competent, caring, and autonomous physical therapists who will engage in critical thinking, evidence-based practice, professional behavior, life-long learning, and community/professional service.

The DPT Program at WKU anticipates starting their first DPT class in June of 2013. We are working hard to develop a high quality DPT Program at WKU.  Applications will be accepted beginning Fall 2012 through January 15, 2013. Application information for this inaugural class is now available at www.wku.edu/physicaltherapy/admissions.

 Accreditation:

The DPT Program at WKU is currently seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE: www.capteonline.org). The Program will submit an Application for Candidacy in the Winter of 2012. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status, awarded prior to enrollment of students in the professional phase of the Program, which indicates that the physical therapy education program is progressing toward accreditation. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation Status nor does attainment of Candidate for Accreditation status assure that the program will be granted initial accreditation. According to CAPTE guidelines, the on-site visit required to determine Accreditation status is anticipated to occur in the Spring of 2016.