The DPT Program is designed to prepare students to plan and administer treatment to help patients regain diminished physical function lost secondary to injury or disease, to promote soft tissue healing, and to relieve pain. Determining the degree of impairment allows physical therapists to help patients return to full function by using various physical agents to decrease pain and by using therapeutic exercises to increase strength, endurance, and coordination.

The purpose of the DPT Program is to provide students pursuing a career in physical therapy the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the safe practice of physical therapy. Students are prepared as generalists, but also have some opportunity to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy through numerous clinical exposures. The program of study consists of 118 credit hours of graduate course work and consists of intense academic and clinical work spread over 3 years. These hours are divided between classroom, clinical, and research activities.

The DPT Program is an entry-level professional degree program designed to provide individuals with baccalaureate degrees and the appropriate prerequisite courses the knowledge and skills to develop clinical and research expertise in the field of physical therapy. Upon receiving the DPT degree, students will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in physical therapy.

The Mission of the WKU Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to serve the healthcare and preventative needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including rural and under-served areas, by developing culturally competent, caring, autonomous physical therapists who will engage in evidence based practice, critical thinking, professional behavior, life-long learning, and community/professional service.

In addition to formal lecture and laboratory courses, students are required to successfully complete clinical experiences usually conducted at external agencies/facilities. Due to the nature of these experiences and to stipulations established by agencies/facilities, specific requirements for students may exist to be eligible to participate in the clinical experiences. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, undergoing criminal background checks, drug testing, and TB skin tests; providing proof of health insurance, professional liability insurance, and/or immunization records or blood titers verifying proof of immunizations. These items may need to be updated annually. Additionally, there may be certifications, training seminars, or other requirements specified by the facility/agency that a student must meet in order to be eligible for clinical experiences at a facility. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in any on or off-campus experiences; students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Student questions regarding the agreements with external agencies may be directed to the Director of Clinical Education of the DPT Program. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.