School of Health Sciences & Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Discover a Leading Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program offers an exceptional educational experience grounded in Franciscan values. Our DPT program is designed to prepare physical therapists who provide evidence-based care with compassion and professionalism. Throughout your time at SFU, you will master theory, cultivate hands-on skills, explore clinical settings, connect with potential employers, and find the PT professional you aspire to be.

#1 in PA

Saint Francis University PT graduates hold
the highest first-time pass rates in Pennsylvania
on the NPTE exams for two years in a row.

Why choose SFU's DPT program?

Competitive Tuition Rate
Beginning Summer 2025, Saint Francis University’s Physical Therapy program will offer a competitive tuition rate of just $917 per graduate credit, providing high-quality education at an exceptional value.”
Excellent Exam Pass Rates
SFU’s DPT program boasts some of the highest first-time pass rates on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for successful careers from day one. The program’s first-time pass rate (100%) is well above the national average (88.9%) for the DPT Class of 2024.
Undergraduate & Graduate Pathways
Undergraduate applicants can have guaranteed admissions into the doctoral program upon completion of the defined 3+3 or 4+3 undergraduate paths at SFU. There are also a limited number of graduate admissions seats open each year.
Personalized Faculty Mentorship
Our dedicated, professional faculty are deeply invested in your success. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll receive individualized attention and mentorship that goes beyond the classroom.
State-of-the-Art Learning Facilities
Our cutting-edge laboratories and clinical education spaces are specifically designed for PT students, providing you with hands-on training in a real-world environment.
Comprehensive Clinical Experience
With structured clinical placements in diverse settings—ranging from hospitals and sports rehabilitation centers to senior communities and outpatient clinics—you’ll gain invaluable experience across various specialties before you graduate.
Residency Programs for Career Advancement
Already a practicing PT? SFU offers a post-professional residency program in pediatrics, providing opportunities for career growth and professional development.
Community Engagement through the C.A.R.E. Clinic
Gain real-world experience while making a difference. Graduate students in the DPT program participate in our pro-bono Community Access Rehabilitation for Everyone (C.A.R.E.) Clinic, serving local residents while honing their clinical skills.

High-Tech & High-Touch Opportunities

Access to the right learning spaces coupled with faculty mentorship and real-world opportunities allows you to put theory into practice. At SFU we've got hands-on experiences covered. Here are a few highlights.

PT students using the anatomage table in the virtual anatomy lab

New Anatomy Lab

Combine traditional study on human cadavers and static anatomical models with fully interactive state-of-the-art simulation and display equipment for most impactful PT education.

Outreach & Service

Our PT students have big hearts and love to give back while gaining new skills. Go-Baby-Go is a great example that benefits children with disabilities and offers cross-disciplinary experience.

Hands-On Learning

Our PT students work with patients throughout the program! From treating retired friars or community members with neurologic disorders to 39 weeks of supervised full-time clinical education they apply what they learn.

Career Outlook in Physical Therapy

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that the employment of physical therapists will grow 15% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Our graduates have 100% job placement rates within the first 6 months of degree completion. (University's First Destination Report)

Salary Potential: $99,710 (2023 Median pay)

Experienced PT faculty who love to teach

Our committed, dynamic and diverse faculty offer personalized attention to students to assist them in acquiring the knowledge, skills and professional demeanor of a caring and compassionate health care provider. The full-time faculty includes one individual with a terminal doctorate and six who are currently pursuing terminal doctoral degrees. The faculty includes one pediatric, three neurology, two geriatric, and three orthopedic specialists. The full-time faculty is complemented by the work of several adjunct faculty.

Department Chair: Dr. Jessica Cammarata, jcammarata@francis.edu

814-472-3851

Meet Our Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions about the PT Program at Saint Francis University

How much does the Doctor of Physical Therapy Cost?

Starting in Summer 2025, Saint Francis University’s Physical Therapy program will be introducing a new, reduced tuition rate of just $917 per graduate credit providing high-quality education at an exceptional value.
Explore a detailed cost breakdown on our PT Graduate Admissions page.
Do I need to re-apply to enter the Physical Therapy Graduate Program as a 3+3 or 4+3 student?

No. you’ll have guaranteed placement into the DPT program if you complete your undergrad here at Saint Francis in good standing and meet all admission requirements.
View our PT Undergraduate Admissions page to explore how you can begin your DPT journey as an SFU undergraduate student.
How are the Clinical Education Experiences structured?

Clinical Education Experiences at SFU provide students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or in people’s homes. Working under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist, SFU DPT students participate in 39 weeks of Clinical Education over four different experiences.
Students must complete rotations in two different settings, at least one of which is a non-ambulatory setting (hospital, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation facility, home health, etc.). Specialty rotations, such as pediatrics, neurology, sports, or pelvic health physical therapy, may be available to students completing their 3rd or 4th rotation, pending approval from the clinical education team and clinical availability. SFU PT has contracts with well over 300 sites across the United States and even a site in Italy!
Students work with the clinical education team at SFU PT to find clinical education experiences that meet their needs as students while also considering their interests.
What is the process to file a complaint?

File a Complaint
The faculty, staff, and students of the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy strive to demonstrate Franciscan values, ethics, and professionalism in all their activities. In some cases, a situation may generate a complaint for which no formal grievance process exists.
The complaint should be written, signed, include details about the complaint and documented evidence, and mailed to:
Dr. Jessica Cammarata,
Chair Department of Physical Therapy
Saint Francis University
PO Box 600 Loretto, PA 15940
Email: JCammarata@francis.edu
Phone: 814-472-3851
Complaints about the School or University related to compliance with accreditation standards must be submitted in writing to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These complaints should be addressed as follows:
Director of Accreditation Commission
on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Email: Accreditation@apta.org
Phone: 800.999.2782
Complaints about the School of Physical Therapy or the Department of Physical Therapy Chair may be submitted directly to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education at the following address:
Dr. Kerri A. Golden,
Dean School of Health Sciences and Education
Saint Francis University
PO Box 600 Loretto, PA 15940
Email: KGolden@francis.edu

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Saint Francis Univerity DPT Class of 2024 achieves 100 percent NPTE pass rate

Saint Francis University DPT Class of 2024 achieves 100% first-time pass rate on NPTE

University Communications & Marketing | 08/14/2024

Saint Francis University’s DPT Class of 2024 has achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NPTE, the national licensing exam for physical therapists.

Saint Francis University DPT White Coat Ceremony 2024

Saint Francis University DPT Class of 2025 Earn White Coats

Department of Physical Therapy | 08/02/2024

Saint Francis University's DPT program held a traditional White Coat Ceremony for third-year students in July as the class transitioned from didactic work into their final clinical educational experiences.

Dawson at Go Baby Go pick Up Day at Saint Francis University

Go Baby Go! offers cool wheels and big smiles

Rachel (Vasilko) Heckman ‘13 | 05/09/2024

Interdisciplinary, community-engaged program, Go Baby Go! benefits children with disabilities and offers hands-on experience for OT, PA, and engineering students at Saint Francis University.

Hands-On Learning Experiences Making Headlines

University Communications & Marketing | 02/09/2024

Saint Francis University garnered front-page headlines in The Tribute-Democrat newspaper twice this week, both showcasing experiential learning in action.

Go Baby Go! Alternative Electric Mobility for Kids at SFU

General Engineering & PT Departments | 07/27/2023

Physical Therapy and General Engineering students teamed up to take on the challenge of providing a custom-modified Power Wheels car for a local child struggling with physical disabilities impeding her from getting around on her own.

Advanced Concepts in PT Practice

Dr. Shannon Scanlan, PT, DPT | 04/12/2023

Physical therapy majors at Saint Francis University must master the foundational patient-management classes included in the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree curriculum. Yet they can also explore areas of specialty practice. Special Topic Courses are a practical way for students, as part of their physical therapy education, to discover areas of PT practice that they may be passionate about.

Unique minor teaches future healthcare professionals compassionate care

University Communications & Marketing | 02/23/2023

At Saint Francis University, future healthcare providers are offered the opportunity to learn how to handle the emotional aspect of healthcare each time they enter a patient’s room.

PA Senator Langerholc tour the new Anatomy Lab at Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University unveils new high-tech anatomy lab

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 11/18/2022

The university unveiled its new anatomy lab which combines the university's traditional cadaver lab with a high-tech simulation space within the Experiential Learning Commons.

OT and PT students welcome a patient to the clinic

Neuro Wellness Clinics

Mitchell Jubas, University Communications and Marketing | 11/04/2022

The OT and PT departments collaborated this year to host the annual Neuro Wellness Clinics. In these clinics students work with clients who have suffered various neurological events such as traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, and stroke.

Nicholas Redden: From SFU to The Cleveland Clinic

06/17/2019

Nicholas Redden is a 2018 SFU graduate and a physical therapist with the Cleveland Clinic in outpatient sports rehabilitation. Here, the Clearfield County native recounts the path that lead him to Saint Francis and what he’s been up to since graduation.

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