Choosing the right Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a big decision. You will invest a significant amount of time and energy during your educational journey, and you want to be certain you will graduate feeling confident as a physical therapist.
Knowing what to look for in a program will help you find the right PT school. By considering factors such as accreditation, faculty expertise, clinical experiences, college mission and student support, you will find a program that aligns with your career goals.
High-Quality PT Education
A DPT program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This accreditation means the program meets the education standards necessary for graduates to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and earn a license to practice.
The DPT program at College of Saint Mary (CSM) is accredited by CAPTE, and the College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
In addition to accreditation, it is important to find a program that offers a high-quality curriculum that prepares students to be skilled and confident physical therapists.
At CSM, students learn to evaluate research, apply evidence-based practices and make informed decisions in real-world patient care.
The program emphasizes professional identity, research literacy and advocacy within the healthcare system. Graduates are prepared to lead, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to advancing the physical therapy profession.
Extensive PT Clinical Experience
The clinical experiences in a physical therapy program give students the real-world, hands-on learning that is necessary to become confident practitioners.
Integrated clinical learning and two 16-week internships provide meaningful patient care experience for CSM students. These placements allow students to refine clinical skills, build professional confidence and apply classroom knowledge in practice.
“Rather than incorporating shorter clinical rotations throughout the two-year program, our director designed an immersive approach, placing all clinical experiences at the end of the curriculum,” said DPT graduate Kaitlyn Evans. “This structure allows students to enter their internships with a comprehensive understanding of physical therapy, enabling them to think critically, manage complex patients and provide high-quality care across diverse populations.”
Learning from Expert PT Faculty
Learning from distinguished faculty and clinicians allows students to gain the skills they need to provide quality patient care. College faculty and staff that offer compassionate support can also improve the college experience.
All faculty in CSM’s DPT program have doctoral degrees and extensive clinical experience, enhancing the program’s academic rigor.
“They care about your well-being, your education and who you want to be as a person.”
Altovise White, DPT graduate
A Focus on Compassionate, Ethical Care
Physical therapists work with patients who are experiencing pain or mobility issues, often after an injury, illness or surgery. For a patient, this can be a challenging time both physically and emotionally, especially if their quality of life has suffered.
A college that emphasizes compassionate care prepares graduates to work with diverse populations.
Grounded in Mercy Core values, CSM’s DPT program emphasizes compassionate, ethical care and service to diverse populations. Students develop the clinical judgment and empathy needed to support patients across a wide range of healthcare settings.
Students are also encouraged to find a community partner, a practicing physical therapist who can serve as a mentor during the program.
A Flexible DPT Program
Graduate students typically need flexibility as they are trying to balance work and personal responsibilities.
CSM’s DPT program offers hybrid-learning with core faculty certified in clinical specialty areas and online instruction. This allows students to take classes and complete coursework off campus while attending six week-long onsite intensive hands-on experiences with classmates, faculty and clinical partners throughout the year.
“I like that the program is hybrid. I can study the material online at home, then come to campus for labs where we practice the hands-on skills together.”
Matthew Ferguson, DPT graduate
The innovative hybrid model provides an accessible and high-quality education, while giving students the flexibility to balance their academic and personal lives. This makes the program available to people living outside of Omaha, Neb., where the CSM campus is located.
“For me, it was challenging. But it was fun because you meet people from all walks of life. We have students from different cities, and we all come together,” said Altovise White. “You grow a bond with your fellow classmates because you’re all helping each other through the program. The bond is special.”
Choosing the Right DPT Program
While accreditation, expert faculty and a high-quality education are imperative in a DPT program, it is up to you to decide what kind of flexibility, clinical experiences, mentorship opportunities and hands-on learning that you will need to succeed.
Students who attend CSM say the DPT program offers flexibility and support while preparing them to become skilled and competent physical therapists.
Meet with admissions, attend a virtual information session or apply to CSM’s DPT program.