Physical Therapy, DPT

Program Coordinator: Amy Gross McMillan (2410B Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6232; grossmcmillana@ecu.edu)

The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) provides the scope, depth, breadth, and rigor of scholarly activity to prepare an entry-level physical therapy practitioner for current and future practice trends. The program includes 80 s.h. of didactic course work, 10 s.h. of clinical specialty and research experience, and 32 weeks of clinical education (16 s.h.).

Students begin the program in the first term of the summer and continue for nine continuous semesters. At the end of the final semester, the student will take a written comprehensive examination and provide both an oral defense and written documentation related to clinical specialty and research concentration. The departmental chairperson’s verification of the completion of all degree requirements is necessary to meet physical therapy practice licensure statutes of the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

Admission guidelines to the Department of Physical Therapy are available at https://pt.ecu.edu/.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

Minimum degree requirement for the program is 106 s.h. as follows:

Core - 102 s.h.

Electives - 4 s.h.

* Note:

Only one clinical education course (PTHE 8203 , PTHE 8403 , PTHE 8603 , PTHE 8803 ) may be repeated.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).