Program Details
About Us
The 3-year, full-time Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares entry-level clinicians to become autonomous practitioners of physical therapy and movement specialists. The curriculum is designed to meet these three broad goals:
The curriculum prepares the graduate to:
- Be an autonomous Doctor of Physical Therapy who uses contemporary and best practices in a safe, ethical, culturally competent and legal manner.
- Be a critical consumer of the literature as an evidenced-based practitioner.
- Become an active contributor and leader as a physical therapist in the health care system and community through education, consultation, and collaboration.
Our Values
As underscored by Seton Hall's rich Catholic history and identity, our program is highlighted by its commitment to integrity and the concept of servant leadership. Physical therapy is a value-centered profession, and we teach our graduates to be reflective practitioners who will be exceptionally prepared to assume leadership roles within the profession and in a healthcare environment.
Our Teaching Philosophy
Academic Teaching Philosophy
The faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research and community service.
We are active members of a community of physical therapists and scholars. We contribute
to the field of physical therapy and to the Seton Hall University community through
scholarship and collegial participation in research and University activities. We
advance adult learning of the movement system by engaging students to become critical
thinkers and skilled clinicians for their future role as value-centered autonomous
and contemporary healthcare practitioners. We combine evidence-based practice models
in classroom didactics with varied contextual learning experiences, which not only
enhances student learning but also commits them to utilizing best practices for optimizing
movement and function throughout the lifespan. We serve as agents of change modeling
leadership and commitment to lifelong learning.
Our Advantage
Seton Hall has offered the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree since our program's inception. We offer a contemporary perspective on physical therapy practice and education. Our class sizes enable our students to work closely with our dynamic and skilled faculty, and our home in Seton Hall's School of Health and Medical Sciences offers our students an interdisciplinary approach to their profession as they work alongside students studying in fields such as occupational therapy and speech language pathology.
Our Accolades
- For graduates from classes 2013-2021, our NPTE licensure exam rates are 100%.
- After completing their final clinical internship, all graduates meet entry-level practice standards, with many exceeding threshold expectations on the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument.
- Graduates find employment in diverse practice settings within one year of obtaining licensure, with our employment rate consistently at or near 100%.
Program Mission
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Mission Statement
"The mission of the program is to prepare individuals to become Doctors of Physical
Therapy, who are competent practitioners capable of autonomous and inter-professional
care, possessing a depth and breadth of knowledge to support the best practice of
physical therapy for optimizing movement and function throughout the lifespan. Program
graduates are prepared to be reflective practitioners to address the needs of society
and to assume leadership roles within the profession and health care environment.
As a program within a Catholic university, graduates learn to provide care with sensitivity
and respect for all individuals within the communities they serve. This mission is
accomplished through diverse academic and clinical experiences, professional development,
and evidence–based inquiry and research, which is supported by faculty leadership,
scholarship, and service."
Physical Therapy Department Vision Statement
The Seton Hall University Physical Therapy Department will be recognized nationally
as a leader in physical therapist education and scholarship. Further, we endeavor
to capitalize on our Catholic history and identity that instills integrity and promotes
servant leadership in a value centered profession. In alignment with Seton Hall University's
mission, we seek to create a healthcare education model to prepare graduates for local,
national and international engagement through collaborative community and clinical
partnerships and scholarly initiatives.
Program Philosophy
The faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research and community service. We are active members of a community of physical therapists and scholars. We contribute to the field of physical therapy and to the Seton Hall University community through scholarship and collegial participation in research and University activities. We advance adult learning by engaging students to become critical thinkers and skilled clinicians for their future role as values-centered autonomous and contemporary healthcare practitioners. We combine evidence-based practice models in classroom didactics with varied contextual learning experiences that not only enhance student learning but also commit students to utilizing best practices for optimizing movement and function throughout the lifespan. We serve as agents of change, modeling leadership and commitment to lifelong learning.
Tuition and Financial Aid Information
Please visit the Department of Physical Therapy for all tuition, fees and financial aid resources.