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Physical Therapy Doctorate (DPT) in Phoenix

Creighton University’s health sciences programs lead the nation in innovation, collaborative care and service to others. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates are highly competent, empathetic, passionate and principled global citizens who are committed to providing equitable care. The program in Phoenix, which was established in 2022, answers the call to support the underserved in a growing city that’s facing a healthcare shortage. It also builds upon the success of our established sibling program in Omaha, sharing a common mission, commitment to excellence, service and curriculum.  

The program includes a range of clinical experiences and the opportunity to select a PT specialty like research, sports or women’s health. As an option, students can also participate in our Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program, which provides support to underserved populations internationally.

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Learn about the program, admissions, prerequisites, clinical education experiences, and more below. You can also discover if Creighton is the right fit for you by scheduling a personalized campus visit. 

Program Details

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program begins each year in August. It’s eight semesters long, spread throughout three calendar years (including summer terms).

Creighton University’s Phoenix DPT program is focused on education, research and service to the community. It aims to foster a collaborative learning environment where students can become change agents who make a positive impact. Students will develop not only the scientifically grounded clinical reasoning skills to become entry-level physical therapists, but also the adaptability and thoughtfulness to practice healthcare with social accountability. Creighton students gain these skills with a range of classroom, lab and clinical experiences, which can be strengthened through local community engagement at facilities we partner with, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix. 

Our innovative faculty are at the heart of the program, striving to meet the needs of developing healthcare professionals; the overall physical therapy profession; and both the individuals and communities we serve. They bring a variety of practice and research expertise to the program’s curriculum.

Upon graduation, each student should be able to demonstrate a range of professional and clinical care abilities.  

Core Professional Abilities

The program emphasizes continuous personal and professional development—with the expectation that students embrace accountability, integrity and social responsibility. Guided by these values, students will be able to communicate effectively while demonstrating respect and cultural sensitivity. They’ll develop deeper critical thinking skills, allowing them to gather, interpret and evaluate data to make sound clinical decisions. Additionally, students will be encouraged to work with a strong ethical foundation, demonstrating a commitment to practice responsibly and develop equitable healthcare regulations and policies.

Physical Therapy Care Abilities

By gaining these abilities, which span from initial patient examination to final outcomes, students will be able to deliver effective and responsive care. Through the course of the program, they’ll learn to: 

  • Conduct detailed patient interviews to gather medical history, perform physical assessments and interpret the findings to develop precise diagnoses and prognoses 
  • Develop personalized intervention plans, including managing care activities and overseeing delegated tasks, in alignment with diagnoses, prognoses and patient expectations 
  • Monitor and evaluate patient progress, so care can be adjusted as needed 
  • Navigate the broader healthcare system—and adapt to healthcare policies—in service of contributing to the health of diverse populations and the community as a whole  

Important Dates

June 17: PTCAS Launch Date
October 1: Preferred Deadline
October 1: Creighton Undergraduate Deadline
December-January: PTCAS Academic Update (Update Summer/Fall grades through PTCAS)
March 3: Final Deadline

Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they have been selected for interviews. Applications are processed on a rolling basis as they come in. After interview seats are full, we may not have the ability to interview additional candidates, so we encourage you to apply early. In addition, if you apply to both the Omaha and Phoenix programs, you can be interviewed at either campus.

Admission Requirements

To apply, please submit an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The service begins accepting applications in June, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Before completing the application, make sure you’ve reviewed the program prerequisites (including those for international students) and be prepared to provide the following: 

  • An official transcript from each institution you’ve attended (or are currently attending), which must be supplied directly from the issuing institution(s) to either PTCAS (for fall/winter 2023 transcripts) or Creighton University Enrollment Services (for spring/summer 2024 transcripts) 
  • A letter of recommendation from a licensed physical therapist 
  • Two additional letters of recommendation; preferably, one should be from a college professor—or someone from a work setting if you have been out of school for some time—who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program; please do not submit letters from family or friends 
  • Proof of a minimum of 60 hours of observation supervised by a licensed physical therapist. (A form will be provided in PTCAS.) We encourage applicants to finish observation hours before their admissions interview, because the experience can help inform their answers.  However, the final completion deadline is August 1.

Note that as part of our holistic admissions process, a GRE score is NOT required, and submitted scores will not be considered when reviewing applications.

Interview Dates

Personal interviews are required in the PT admission process. Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview. Interview registration, if applicable, is available in your application portal. Once interview seats are full, we may not have the ability to interview additional qualified candidates. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

The interview process will consist of a virtual 1:1 interview and an in-person group interview on one of the dates below. Candidates who apply to both the Omaha PT Program and Phoenix PT Program can interview in person at either campus. 

Interviews for the Physical Therapy program in Phoenix are offered using the schedule below.

  • November 22, 2024
  • January 24, 2025
  • February 28, 2025
  • April 4, 2025

Prerequisites

For admission into the DPT programs at Creighton University, you must meet the following academic requirements:  

  • A history of strong academic performance (the area of emphasis is a secondary consideration) 
  • The completion of the following courses with a C grade or higher—a C- is not acceptable—by August 1 of the desired year of entry (semester and quarter hours are noted respectively in parentheses):  
    • General Biology I & II with labs* (8/12 hours) 
    • General Chemistry I & II with labs* (8/12 hours) 
    • General Physics I & II with labs* (8/12 hours) 
    • Human or Mammalian Physiology** (3/4.5 hours) 
    • Human Anatomy** (3/4.5 hours) 
    • English, including Composition (6/9 hours) 
    • Statistics (3/4.5 hours) 
    • Electives*** (51/76.5 hours) 

*These courses must be part of an eight-hour (or equivalent) sequence, which is made up of correlated courses offering in-depth coverage. Survey courses or those designed for non-science or health science majors; courses without labs; or online courses utilizing laboratory kits will not meet these requirements. Additionally, coursework in botany, ecology, entomology, anatomy or physiology will not fulfill the biology requirement.

**For courses that combine physiology and anatomy, six semester hours (nine quarter hours) are required. 

***Creighton undergraduate students must complete six hours of Theology as part of their electives.

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Accreditation

As of November 2, 2021, the Phoenix Health Sciences campus of Creighton University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).  

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical or professional courses, but it does not guarantee the program will be granted Initial Accreditation. CAPTE considers credits and degrees earned from a program with candidacy status to be from an accredited program. This means 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. Yet 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) or specific state boards, which are also listed on the FSBPT website.

If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 602.812.3131 or email Dr. James Lynskey, Physical Therapy Department Chair - Phoenix, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

Complaints that fall outside of due process should be emailed to Dr. James Lynskey. You may also email the school's Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Paul Price. Note that retaliation following a complaint submission is prohibited. 

For complaints involving program accreditation and violation of accreditation standards, please review the policy information, which includes a form to submit complaints.

Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees vary during the program’s three-year period. Estimated costs can be found on our financial aid website and include both direct costs billed by Creighton each semester (tuition and fees), as well as indirect costs, such as personal housing, that will likely be incurred as you pursue your degree.

Admitted Student Scholarship Opportunities 

All qualified DPT candidates will automatically be considered for scholarships at the time of the admission decision; no additional application is required. Candidates will be considered based on overall grade point average, prerequisite math and science grade point average, quality of admission essays, interview performance, and participation in service and leadership. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

A scholarship is typically up to $60,000, awarded for the program’s duration and divided over the three years. The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Office of Admission awards scholarships to at least the top 25% of the incoming class.

Additional Scholarship and Grant Opportunities 

Once enrolled, DPT students can apply for additional scholarships on an annual basis. These scholarships range from $500 to full tuition in value and can be stacked on top of the initial merit award.  

Students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds may also be eligible for a federally funded grant from The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP). The program is designed to provide the opportunity for these students to successfully enter and graduate from health professional schools. It can cover tuition, fees, books and other educational expenses.

Undergraduate Pathways

Creighton offers two options that provide a straightforward path into the DPT program, so students can start working toward their goals sooner. 

Early Assurance Program 

High school students interested in early admission to the DPT program may be given assurance of their acceptance to the program if they meet the criteria for admission and progression. 

 

Admission requirements

  • A high school GPA of 3.5 or higher  
  • Admission to an undergraduate program of study at Creighton University  
  • Complete 10 hours of shadowing a licensed physical therapist 

Progression requirements to remain in the early assurance program 

  • Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton (courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will NOT result in ineligibility) 
  • Completion of the GRE for students who do NOT meet the 3.5 science prerequisite GPA at the end of their second year; GRE scores will be reviewed by the admission committee for progression and identification of opportunities for development 
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA 
  • A C grade or higher in any prerequisite course 
  • Full participation in the Student Success pre-physical therapy learning community, which provides helpful instruction on how to be a competitive applicant,  during years 1, 2 and 3 
  • 60 hours of work or shadowing in a physical therapy setting between program acceptance and August 1 of year 2 
  • Submit a PTCAS application by October 1 the year prior to enrollment in the DPT program 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the profession, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills during a progression interview 
  • Pass a criminal background check prior to official enrollment  
  • Review and sign the technical standards document  
  • Notify the Office of Admission if you withdraw from a prerequisite course 

Undergrad Preference 

The DPT program gives preferential admission consideration to Creighton Undergraduate students who complete all prerequisite coursework at Creighton. Benefits of this program include: 

  • A guaranteed interview to students with a 3.25 overall GPA 
  • No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) required for students with at least a 3.5 GPA in science prerequisite coursework 
  • 60 hours of practice observation facilitated through the Student Success program and Pre-PT Club 
  • The option of a formalized deferral program for one year if admitted (and, if the student remains enrolled during that year, a 3.25 science GPA is maintained) 

Qualification criteria 

  • Participate in the Student Success program 
  • Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton (courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility). 
    • General Biology I & II with labs (BIO 201/205, 202/206; 8 semester hours) 
    • General Chemistry I & II with labs (CHM 203/204, 205/206; 8 semester hours) 
    • General Physics I & II with labs (PHY 211 and 212 or 200/205 and 202/206; 8 semester hours) 
    • Human or Mammalian Physiology (BIO 449, BMS 303, or EXS 320; 3 semester hours) 
    • Human Anatomy (PHA 213, EXS 331, or BMS 411; 3 semester hours) 
    • English (ENG 150; 6 semester hours) 
    • Statistics (PSY 211, MTH 363, or EXS 407; 3 semester hours) 
    • Theology (6 semester hours) 
    • Electives (45 semester hours, including 18 semester hours of coursework toward a single emphasis of upper-level study)  
  • Submit a PTCAS application by October 1 the year prior to enrollment in the DPT program 

Note that meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission into the DPT program. Admission is based on a range of academic and personal qualifications considered necessary for successful, competent practice as a physical therapist. Prior education, work experiences, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities will also provide insight into a candidate’s commitment to lifelong learning and doctoral-level education.

Clinical Education 

The Creighton University clinical education experience is rooted in developing clinical reasoning skills; applying theory and general principles; and taking deliberate and moral action to provide optimal care. We also believe our students’ clinical experience will guide them to practice physical therapy with both competence and compassion. The foundations for these clinical experiences will be set soon after beginning the program, with students participating in community-based activities and events focused on promoting good health.

In the third semester, students will begin their first clinical experiences, which will align with their own Clinical Education Plans. These comprehensive plans will be developed in accordance with the following: 

  • The mission, purposes and program outcomes of the department of physical therapy 
  • The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Guide to Physical Therapist Practice

Each student will work with their Clinical Education Advisor to create their own plan, which will include their goals and mission statement for the program, as well as specific objectives for all clinical experiences. Students will also choose clinical education experiences that meet a breadth and depth of scenarios to prepare them for entry-level practice. 

Students in the DPT program will complete four full-time professional practice clinical education experiences for a total of 44 weeks of experiential education, providing ample opportunities to learn in the field.

  • Professional Practice I (PTD 560): In this six-week, full-time clinical education experience at the end of the third semester, students will demonstrate competence in basic assessment skills, including communication and application of ethics, comprehensive screening examinations, fundamental physical therapy procedures and simple application of a clinical reasoning model.
  • Professional Practice II (PTD 670): This six-week experience occurs at the end of the fifth semester and allows students to build upon the basic tools, analysis and decision making needed to begin entry-level practice, developing additional experience in several areas.
  • Professional Practice III and IV (PT 680 and PT 690): These practice experiences—one in the fall, one in the spring—are 16 weeks each and emphasize not only the integration of patient care activities, but also aspects of supervision, management, patient education, teaching and consultation. Students will be directly involved in the formulation and design of these experiences.

Students may also engage in directed practice experience to apply what they’ve learned to other field-based settings, nationally or internationally. These experiences are typically four to six weeks in length and are tailored to students’ individual goals. They may involve a specialized area of clinical practice, teaching, research, administration, supporting underserved communities or other areas of advanced study.  

Creighton’s Department of Physical Therapy has more than 400 site agreements, with clinical locations in 45 states and the Dominican Republic. Our clinical education faculty work closely with students to determine which opportunities best fit their educational and professional goals. 

International Opportunities

Enrolled students can take a hands-on approach to supporting underserved patient populations through the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program. The program provides DPT students with four weeks of clinical education in the Dominican Republic. Students will also gain the opportunity to share their healthcare experience and knowledge at nine clinical settings, ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, supervised by Creighton faculty and U.S. licensed clinicians. The experience will also include working alongside practicing Dominican therapists, as well as physical therapy students from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. In addition to clinical work, students will serve communities by caring for children in an orphanage, providing medication to children in a Haitian batey and providing physical therapy services in rural villages.  

Students in the program often grow both personally and professionally during their month in the Dominican Republic. They learn the importance of clinical practice within cultural context, as well as how to effectively practice with minimal resources. Group reflections, community living and cultural immersion experiences also promote learning and growth.

If you’re interested in details about the program, contact Julie Hoffman, PT, DPT or  Maggie Schumacher, PT, DPT. 

ASU Dual Degree Program

Finish school and start working as a physical therapist sooner—while cutting down on costs—with the 3 + 3 Dual Degree program at Arizona State University (ASU) and Creighton University. The program allows participants to earn their undergraduate degree at ASU and their DPT degree from Creighton in Phoenix. ASU students should apply to the Creighton DPT program during their junior year, so they can begin the DPT program during their senior year at ASU. While at ASU, you will work closely with an admissions counselor to ensure they’re on track to apply to Creighton’s DPT program. 

State Licensure 

The physical therapy programs within the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions meet the appropriate and relevant degree requirements for licensure for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

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