We are proud to announce this new degree offering on our Post campus beginning in the summer of 2025!
We are proud to announce this new degree offering on our Post campus beginning in the summer of 2025!
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a professional entry-level degree program for students seeking a career as a physical therapist. The DPT program has been designed to prepare highly competent professionals to act as autonomous practitioners in health care settings that include direct access by the public to physical therapy services. Graduates will be prepared to provide a full range of physical therapy services including screening and referral, evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, consultation and education.
The DPT program enables graduates of our program to:
All physical therapy educational programs in the United States are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Accreditation of new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree programs is a two-step process. The first step involves submission of an Application for Candidacy (AFC) to CAPTE which must be approved prior to enrolling students. Once the program is approved, it will admit an initial cohort of 32 students. The program will then become eligible to seek initial accreditation prior to graduation of the inaugural class.
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Effective April 30, 2024, Long Island University - Post has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Martha Hinman at (325) 266-4748 or email martha.hinman@liu.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Long Island University Post is to prepare students to enter the physical therapy profession as movement system experts whose practice is informed by clinical evidence, influenced by professional values and ethics, and inspired by an altruistic spirit.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Long Island University Post aspires to become the educational program of choice for physical therapy students who have a passion for service-oriented learning and scholarship.
Prospective students should submit their applications by November 1st through PTCAS, a centralized application system (https://ptcasdirectory.apta.org/). This service will provide information on the program, admission requirements, and application deadline.
NOTE: Students with disabilities are welcome to apply! Our facilities and campus grounds are very accessible and also animal-friendly.
Additional application documents include:
Academic requirements:
Interview Process:
Qualified students will be invited to campus for a live information session, facilities tour, and interview. Guests may accompany applicants but will not be included in the actual interview process. The interview is designed to assess the applicant’s desire and ability to pursue a career in physical therapy. It also provides applicants with an opportunity to ask the faculty questions about the program. Should an applicant have difficulty traveling to campus for a live interview, the option of a virtual interview will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Acceptance Rate:
Following the interview, faculty will score each applicant and accept the top 32 students. Accepted students will be notified via phone call and email by [insert date] and will have 10 business days to accept or decline the offer. Accepted students must submit a $500 deposit which will be applied to their fall tuition bill. The remaining applicants will be assigned to a ranked waitlist (unless they opt out) and will be contacted immediately if an accepted students declines his or her offer. Acceptance of the first class is conditional until the program receives notification from CAPTE regarding it candidacy status. The program expects to receive that decision by mid-May. Should the program be denied candidacy, all deposits will be refunded in full.
The DPT curriculum spans 9 semesters and includes 115 credit hours of contemporary coursework and 30 weeks of full-time clinical practice in a variety of patient care sites.
We have adopted a modular schedule which allows students to focus their attention on fewer courses at any one time. Fall and spring semesters are divided into two 7-week modules with a week break in between. Students will take three courses at a time in each fall and spring module. Summers are divided into two 6-week modules which include only two courses at a time or a single full-time clinical rotation. In addition, classes are generally not scheduled on Fridays (except for full-time clinical courses) which enables students to have a dedicated day each week to work, study, or fulfill other personal obligations.
The DPT curriculum sequence is illustrated below, and course descriptions may be found in the DPT Student Handbook. All course materials and schedules will be published on Brightspace, LIU’s learning management system (LMS).
DPT Curriculum Plan:
YEAR ONE
1st Summer Module: PPT 750 Anatomy I – 3 cr.
PPT 755 Physiology of Movement – 3 cr.
2nd Summer Module: PPT 752 Anatomy II – 3 cr.
PPT 759 Neuroscience – 3 cr.
1st Fall Module: PPT 760 Movement Analysis I – 4 cr.
PPT 775 Clinical Seminar I – 2 cr.
PPT 780 Research Methods & Biostatistics – 2 cr.
2nd Fall Module: PPT 766 Tests & Measures – 4 cr.
PPT 700 Musculoskeletal Pathology – 2 cr.
PPT 875 Clinical Seminar II – 3 cr.
1st Spring Module: PPT 800 Systems Screen & Emergency Care – 2 cr.
PPT 890 Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise – 4 cr.
PPT 892 Musculoskeletal Mgmt. of the Lower Extremity – 3 cr.
2nd Spring Module: PPT 785 Evidence-based Practice – 2 cr.
PPT 764 Movement Analysis II – 3 cr.
PPT 995 Musculoskeletal Mgmt. of the Spine – 3 cr.
YEAR TWO
1st Summer Module: PPT 790 Musculoskeletal Mgmt. of the Upper Extremity – 3 cr.
PPT 782 Scholarly Project I – 1 cr.
2nd Summer Module: PPT 850 Clinical Practice I – 4 cr. (6-week full-time clinical)
1st Fall Module: PPT 810 Biophysical Agents – 2 cr.
PPT 820 Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Pathology & Mgmt. – 4 cr.
PPT 877 Teaching & Learning – 2 cr.
2nd Fall Module: PPT 757 Pharmacology – 2 cr.
PPT 830 Neuromuscular Pathology – 2 cr.
PPT 880 Prosthetics & Orthotics – 2 cr.
1st Spring Module: PPT 832 Pediatric Neuromuscular Diagnosis & Mgmt. – 3 cr.
PPT 834 Adult Neuromuscular Diagnosis & Mgmt. – 4 cr.
PPT 787 Scholarly Project II – 3 cr.
2nd Spring Module: PPT 787 continues
PPT 770 Psychosocial Issues – 2 cr.
PPT 885 Other Pathologies: Implications for Phys. Ther. – 4 cr.
YEAR THREE
1st & 2nd Summer Mod: PPT 950 Clinical Practice II – 8 cr. (12-week full-time clinical)
1st Fall Module: PPT 879 Health Promotion & Wellness – 3 cr.
PPT 915 Advanced Clinical Reasoning – 3 cr.
PPT 960 Movement Analysis III – 2 cr.
2nd Fall Module: PPT 789 Scholarly Project III – 2 cr.
PPT 990 Clinical Seminar III – 2 cr.
PPT 975 Health Care Delivery – 3 cr.
1st & 2nd Spring Mod: PPT 957 Clinical Practice III – 8 cr. (12-week full-time clinical)
GRADUATION
Students in the DPT program must acquire and integrate a large body of scientific knowledge, while simultaneously developing the clinical skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary for entry-level physical therapy practice. According to the accreditation standards set forth by CAPTE, the DPT program has the prerogative and ultimate responsibility for the selection and evaluation of its students; the design, implementation, and evaluation of its curriculum; and the determination of who is eligible to receive a degree. Admission and retention decisions made by the faculty are based on both academic and non-academic factors. Once enrolled, students are evaluated across didactic and clinical courses to ensure that they can successfully perform the essential functions required for entry-level practice as a physical therapist.
“Ableism” is defined as discrimination against persons with a disability (PWD), especially a physical disability. It is based on the false belief that there is a correct way for bodies and minds to function and that anyone who deviates from that is inferior. However, the DPT program at LIU embraces the University’s commitment to “inclusive excellence and a sense of belonging”1 as well as its legal obligations to comply with federal laws which prohibit discrimination of individuals on the basis of disability. Thus, our program welcomes students with disabilities who have met our admission requirements and wish to pursue a career in physical therapy. Upon completion of the program, all students are expected to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of a physical therapist in some manner which may include task modification, assistance from another human or animal, or the use of assistive technology.
Functions of a Physical Therapist Defined
The aptitudes and abilities that DPT students need to complete the DPT curriculum and seek employment as a licensed physical therapist include a variety of cognitive and psychomotor skills along with professional attitudes and behaviors. Competence in these skills and behaviors are assessed using criteria established by program faculty, professional standards, and emerging practice guidelines.1 These areas of competence include the following:
Specific Behavioral Competencies Related to PT Functions
COMMUNICATION: Use of appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication to establish a working rapport with other individuals when engaged in clinical practice, research, and/or education. These individuals may include patients/clients, families/caregivers, other healthcare providers, research subjects, payers, etc. Specifically, students must be able to:
● Receive, interpret, and respond to verbal or written communication in both the academic and clinical setting.
● Express their own ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback.
● Use body language that expresses openness and attentiveness (as opposed to defensiveness) when interacting with others.
● Elicit a thorough patient history and explain complex findings to patients and various members of the health care team using appropriate terminology.
● Seek permission to touch patients/clients before initiating any therapeutic procedures.
● Send and receive information in timely manner during emergency situations, according to the protocols established by each clinical setting.
● Recognize and promptly respond to signs of emotional distress in patients/clients such as sadness, worry, agitation, pain, or lack of comprehension of therapist communication.
● Accurately share information on the patient's status in a timely manner with other members of the health care team and seek supervision or consultation as needed.
● Accurately document observations, interactions, and care plans in written, oral, or electronic format in a health care record, consultative summary, or referral request.
● Utilize appropriate translational or nonverbal means to communicate with non-English speaking patients/clients or those with hearing impairments.
● Use technology to search for, synthesize, and evaluate published research/literature.
MOTOR FUNCTION: Acquisition and application of gross and fine motor skills needed to safely and effectively manage patients/clients and equipment when performing various examination and therapeutic procedures. Specifically, students must be able to:
● Palpate various body structures, pulses, and joint end feels during examination and intervention procedures.
● Assume and maintain a variety of positions including prolonged sitting or standing, walking, bending, squatting, and kneeling.
● Safely perform therapeutic procedures that require positioning, lifting, transferring, and guarding patients/clients with or without the use of an assistive device or human aid.
● Maintain one’s own balance and stability when assisting patients who are ambulating on level, uneven, and elevated surfaces.
● Provide appropriate stabilization and mobilization of body parts when performing joint manual therapy techniques, exercises, or developmental activities.
● Respond quickly to emergency situations by positioning or moving patients/clients, applying CPR, and/or assisting with evacuations from the healthcare facility.
● Manipulate the controls on various types of testing or treatment equipment/devices.
● Determine one’s own limitations in mobility, strength, or endurance and seek assistance as needed to ensure patient/client safety.
SENSORY FUNCTION: The ability to perceive information necessary for safe and effective patient/client examination and treatment using a variety of sensory input such as visual, auditory, proprioceptive, and tactile. Specifically, students must be able to detect and interpret:
● Information presented in class using various forms of media such as textbooks, journal articles, lectures, audiovisual presentations, written handouts, and live demonstrations.
● Basic physiological signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart and lung sounds, gait speed, skin/wound color, and body temperature.
● Structural changes in anatomical landmarks, muscle tone, joint end feels, soft tissue restrictions, and limb size.
● Changes or abnormalities in an individual’s level of consciousness, facial and/or vocal expressions, breathing pattern, posture, gait, and other functional movements.
● Environmental alarms/cues associated with various emergency situations.
● Settings and/or readouts on therapeutic devices/equipment that ensure safe and effective operations.
COGNITIVE FUNCTION: Sufficient intellectual capacity to obtain and process information from multiple sources in order to make informed clinical decisions, judge the value of publicized evidence, and discover or apply new information. Specifically, students must be able to:
● Efficiently recall, retain, and apply information in order to provide safe and effective patient care in a real or simulated clinical environment.
● Appraise published evidence to determine the most appropriate tests, measures, and interventions to use during patient/client examination or treatment.
● Gather the necessary information during all examination and treatment procedures to make appropriate clinical decisions and/or respond to emergency situations.
● Evaluate the information gleaned from the patient’s/client’s health and social history, medical/surgical reports, lab and imaging results, and PT examination, to formulate a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.
● Use a variety of instructional methods to educate patient/clients and/or family members/caregivers on prescribed home programs.
● Acknowledge limitations of one’s knowledge and/or performance in order to provide safe, effective care including the necessity of referring the patient/client to other healthcare professionals.
● Assess treatment outcomes to determine the need for continuation of care by summarizing and interpreting changes in the patient’s/client’s status over time.
● Integrate new information learned outside the classroom with prior body of knowledge to continuously improve decision-making abilities.
● Participate in the research process to explore new ways to improve the practice of physical therapy.
● Analyze current issues, policies, or other events that affect the delivery of health care and the practice of physical therapy.
● Appropriately utilize artificial intelligence to augment or expand one’s own thinking, reasoning, and investigative abilities.
PROFESSIONALISM: The attitudes and behaviors needed to practice in a manner that reflects the core values of the physical therapy profession. Specifically, students are expected to demonstrate:
● Accountability for their learning through timely submission of assignments, active participation in classroom and clinical learning experiences, self-reflection, and utilization of feedback.
● Altruism through benevolent actions and a consistent willingness to put the needs of patients/clients/others ahead of their own.
● Collaboration by responsibly contributing to group projects, participating in interprofessional learning experiences, and sharing perspectives and/or clinical expertise with other members of the healthcare team.
● Compassion and caring by offering kind words and/or actions that provide comfort and support to individuals who are experiencing a difficult or challenging situation.
● Duty by adhering to the legal and ethical standards of practice as a physical therapist and effectively managing the stresses associated with that role.
● Excellence by striving to achieve professional goals that will continuously improve one’s level of practice and/or provide service to the community and the profession.
● Inclusion by demonstrating a sensitivity to, and respect for, differences in the needs, values, and preferences of individuals while striving to reduce one’s own biases.
● Integrity by acting in an honest, ethical, and reliable manner during all interactions and transactions with patients/clients, colleagues, payers, and the general public.
● Social responsibility by engaging in service and advocacy efforts that promote the health and wellbeing of people in the local and global community, particularly for those who are disadvantaged in one or more of the social determinants of health.
1 References include:
The DPT core faculty consists of eight physical therapists who have over 200 years of combined experience as clinicians and teachers. Their areas of expertise include orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, pelvic health, wound care, vestibular rehab, and more. Guest instructors will supplement teaching in other areas of the curriculum including pharmacology, healthcare management, sports medicine, prosthetics and orthotics.
Dr. Martha Hinman, PT, DPT, EdD, MHEd, CEEAA
Program Director
martha.hinman@liu.edu
Dr. Hinman has been a physical therapist since 1976 and an educator since 1980 after earning her masters and doctoral degrees in education. She has been a faculty member or program director at six different PT programs and has served as an accreditation reviewer and consultant for nearly 40 years. Her areas of expertise include bone health, geriatric health care, research methods, data analysis, and program assessment. She has received numerous awards for her teaching, service, research, and leadership in physical therapy.
Dr. Ahmed Abouelela, PT, PhD, MS
Associate Professor and Director of Research
ahmed.abouelela@liu.edu
Dr. Abouelela earned his physical therapy degree in Egypt in 1990 before immigrating to the U.S. in 1994. After completing graduate degrees in neuroscience and electrophysiology, Dr. Abouelela taught part-time at several NY universities before beginning his full-time position at LIU in 2024. He is passionate about brain research and the management of patients with neurological dysfunction. He is also interested in integrating various complementary therapies with more traditional approaches to patient care.
Dr. Lila Bartkowski-Abbate, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS, PRPC
Associate Professor and Director of Student Development
Dr. Abbate has been a physical therapist since 1997 and has 6 years of prior academic experience. She is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and women’s health and also holds a specialty certification in pelvic health rehabilitation. Dr. Abbate owns New Dimensions Physical Therapy in Roslyn where she specializes in the treatment of orthopedic and pelvic health conditions in both men and women. She has presented several courses and published book chapters on both of these clinical topics. Dr. Abbate will join the LIU faculty in the summer of 2024.
Jason Lennon, PT, DPT, CSCS, GTS
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Clinical Education
Dr. Lennon has over 20 years of experience as a physical therapist where he specializes in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal conditions and vestibular dysfunction. He holds specialty credentials in strength and conditioning, vestibular rehabilitation, and Graston techniques (instrumented massage). Dr. Lennon’s academic experience includes 15 years as an adjunct faculty member teaching anatomy and kinesiology for another university along with the supervision of numerous PT students who have rotated through his clinical practice. He will join the LIU faculty in the summer of 2024.
Amy McGorry, PT, DPT, MTC
Professor and Director of Clinical Education
Director of Campus and Community Outreach
amy.mcgorry@liu.edu
Dr. McGorry has been a physical therapist since 1991 and began her academic career at LIU in 2021. Prior to that, she worked in a variety of clinical settings including acute care hospital and rehabilitation facilities, hospice care, outpatient orthopedic clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. Her primary practice includes manual joint mobilization and manual therapy approach to orthopedic populations. Dr. McGorry also serves as a health reporter/writer for Fox Digital News.
Luz Marina Peña, PT, DPT, GCS, WCC, CEEAA
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Clinical Education
Dr. Peña has 14 years of experience as a physical therapist and clinical instructor in acute care, home care, and outpatient settings. She is board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Wound Care Specialist and is currently pursuing her PhD in psychology with an emphasis in gerontology. Dr. Peña has received multiple awards for her exemplary clinical practice and leadership She will be joining the LIU faculty in the spring of 2025.
Susan Taddonio, PT, DPT, PhD, MA, ACSM-EP
Assistant Professor and Director of Curriculum and Assessment
susan.taddonio@liu.edu
Dr. Taddonio has been a physical therapist since 1990 and holds a PhD in psychology. Prior to that time, she earned a masters degree in exercise physiology and is certified in that field. Dr. Taddonio’s clinical experience primarily involves the management of children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities in which she holds additional certifications. Her research focuses on the benefits of hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding), particularly for pediatric patients.
Maureen Devito
Program Manager
maureen.devito@liu.edu
Maureen Devito joined LIU in 2022 as Assistant to the Executive Dean for the College of Sciences and Vice President for Innovation. She brings over 20 years of experience in administrative and operations support at British Airways, where she held many roles, led professional development trainings and earned a reputation for excellence in customer relations. As program manager, Maureen will coordinate our admissions process along with her other managerial responsibilities.
Physical therapy is a rewarding profession that allows you to work directly with individuals of all ages who have experienced some type of developmental disability, traumatic injury, or debilitating illness that has limited their ability to move and interact effectively with their environment. Physical therapists work closely with other members of the healthcare team to help restore functional independence in these individuals, as well as promote fitness and prevent movement dysfunction in healthy populations.
Employment projections for physical therapists are expected to remain above average as the need for physical rehabilitation continues to grow in the future, particularly among aging baby boomers who are staying active later in life. Job satisfaction for physical therapists remains among the highest in the healthcare professions with opportunities to pursue specialty certifications in several areas of clinical practice including, but not limited to, orthopedic, sports, pediatric, geriatric, neurologic, oncologic, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.
Policies and Procedures:
Program-specific policies and procedures, essential functions of the physical therapist, emergency procedures, and additional clinical education information are detailed in the DPT Student Handbook
Program Costs:
Annual and Total Program Costs:
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
TOTAL |
Tuition |
$69,017 |
$56,576 |
$30,841 |
$156,434 |
University fees |
$1547 |
$1577 |
$1609 |
$4733 |
Program fees |
$1200 |
$1200 |
$1200 |
$3600 |
TOTAL COST |
$71,764 |
$$59,353 |
$33,650 |
$164,767 |
Clinical travel and housing costs will vary depending on the location of the students’ assigned clinical sites. Limited housing is available on campus for graduate students in the South Residence Complex. A suite single costs $8939 per semester and a suite double with A/C is $5959 per semester.
Students are eligible to apply for financial aid, scholarship support, and/or work study jobs by contacting the Office of Financial Aid (https://www.liu.edu/enrollment-services/financial-aid).
Service and Scholarly Opportunities:
DPT students have multiple opportunities to supplement their classroom and clinical learning experiences with interprofessional learning activities, clinical simulations, professional and community service activities, and participation in a small-group scholarly project. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in class governance through a peer-elected process.
Relevant Professional Organizations:
Data will be posted following graduation of the first DPT cohort
Is this program offered online or in person?
This program will only be offered in person on the LIU Post Campus. This provides students with an opportunity to interact more directly with program faculty and receive individual mentoring.
How long will it take to earn my DPT degree?
The program includes 9 semesters, beginning and ending in May.
How many students will be accepted each year?
We will limit enrollment to 32 students per class.
How many faculty will be dedicated to this program?
The program will have 8 full-time faculty members as well as a few adjunct faculty who will teach specialized content such as pharmacology, business management, and sports medicine.
What is the timeline to apply to this new program?
We will begin accepting applications through PTCAS in the summer of 2024 (for the following spring). Please refer to the information in the Admissions link. We do require an interview as part of the admission process. This is a two-way interview that gives you a chance to ask us some questions as well!
Will LIU accept advanced placements credits for prerequisite courses?
We will accept up to 15 credit hours of advanced placement courses towards program prerequisites, including science courses (with the exception of Anatomy and Physiology). Students who earn their undergraduate degree at LIU will also receive additional points in the admission scoring which gives them a competitive edge.
When do you expect the program to become accredited?
As a new program, we will be preparing our document for initial accreditation to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) when the first class begins their final year of the program. We anticipate having our onsite visit from CAPTE in the fall of 2027 and our decision at their spring meeting in 2028. All course credits that students earn while the program is in candidacy status are applicable to their degree and ensure their eligibility to sit for the PT licensure exam after graduation.
Where are the teaching facilities located on campus?
The program will be housed in two adjacent buildings (Kumble Hall and the Crafts Building) which are located between the Library and the Veterinary Medical School buildings. Both buildings have been recently renovated for the DPT program. A dedicated classroom, anatomy lab, research labs, pediatric treatment room, a student lounge area, and faculty offices are located in Kumble Hall, while the teaching labs and locker rooms are located in the Crafts Building. Although there is no parking adjacent to these buildings yet, there is a bus stop located directly behind them.
We have new, contemporary equipment for students to learn on and free electronic access to most of the textbooks being used in the curriculum through Access Physiotherapy which is found on the Library’s website. Other campus resources include a state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation Center where students can practice their clinical skills using a variety of low- and high-fidelity manikins.
What is special about the DPT curriculum on LIU’s Post Campus?
The professional DPT curriculum is organized in a modular format so that each semester is divided into 6- or 7-week modules that allow students to focus on just 2 or 3 courses at a time. Except during clinical practicums, classes will typically run from Monday through Thursday only. This provides an opportunity for students to work or tend to other personal matters on Fridays as needed.
All students will also have an opportunity to work with a faculty member to complete a small group scholarly project and present their findings at the end of the program. In addition, students will be expected to participate in various campus and community service activities of their choice. PT students will be able to join other students in the Schools of Nursing and Health Professions to participate in a series interprofessional learning activities.
How many clinical practicums are included in the curriculum?
The program includes three full-time clinical practice courses that are spread throughout the curriculum. The first, 6-week experience occurs at the end of summer (4th term). The second, 12-week experience occurs the following summer (7th term), and the final, 12-week experience occurs just prior to graduation in the last spring semester (9th term). Thus, students will complete a total of 30 weeks of supervised clinical practice prior to graduation. In addition, they will have an opportunity to practice certain clinical skills on real and simulated patients throughout other courses in the curriculum.
Do I have a choice in where I complete my clinical practicums?
Students will be required to complete at least one practicum in an inpatient facility (e.g., hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center) and one practicum in an outpatient facility (e.g., orthopedic clinic, home health, school-based setting). The third practicum may focus on any area of interest and include specialty experiences. Students will submit their preferences to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE), but the final assignments will be made by the DCE.
Is student housing available on campus?
The South Residence Complex is an option available to students 21 years or older and graduate students. The suites consist of three or four bedrooms that surround a shared living room and share a bathroom facility. A suite single costs $8939 per semester and a suite double with A/C is $5959 per semester. Space is limited.
Are there any athletic/recreational centers available for students?
Yes! Campus recreation activities include dynamic health and wellness programming, a variety of intramural events and tournaments, and opportunity to join sports clubs. The Pratt Recreation Center is a 77,000-square-foot facility containing a 3,000 seat gymnasium with 3 full-size basketball and volleyball courts, an elevated Mondo-X indoor jogging track, an 8-lane recreational and competitive swimming pool, weight room, fitness room, and locker rooms. The newly renovated BlueFit Cardio Center offers 10 Peloton bikes, multiple elliptical style machines, rowing machines, and a 1/10th of a mile track. This is located on the track of the basketball gym in the Pratt Center. Outdoor facilities include the Bethpage Federal Credit
Union football stadium, a tennis center, soccer park, rugby field, softball complex, and the North Shore Equestrian Center.
What other student benefits exist to attending PT school on LIU Post campus?
As a University with Division 1 Athletic programs, you will have access to modern athletic equipment and facilities. You may also have access to athletes for research studies and athletic training staff who participate in classroom teaching. In addition, LIU is home to the Tiles Center for the Performing Arts which hosts a variety of musical concerts, dance performances, Broadway shows, comedy hours, and more. Overall, our campus provides a beautiful and safe environment for learning and living that rivals that of other programs in the area.
We welcome students from diverse backgrounds including those who have some type of disability. Our faculty and student services staff are prepared to assist students who need some type of physical or technological accommodation. And, because we are home to a new veterinary medical school, our campus is also very dog-friend
Is this program offered online or in person?
This program will only be offered in person on the LIU Post Campus. This provides students with an opportunity to interact more directly with program faculty and receive individual mentoring.
How long will it take to earn my DPT degree?
The program includes 9 semesters, beginning and ending in May.
How many students will be accepted each year?
We will limit enrollment to 32 students per class.
How many faculty will be dedicated to this program?
The program will have 8 full-time faculty members as well as a few adjunct faculty who will teach specialized content such as pharmacology, business management, and sports medicine.
What is the timeline to apply to this new program?
We will begin accepting applications through PTCAS in the summer of 2024 (for the following spring). Please refer to the information in the Admissions link. We do require an interview as part of the admission process. This is a two-way interview that gives you a chance to ask us some questions as well!
Will LIU accept advanced placements credits for prerequisite courses?
We will accept up to 15 credit hours of advanced placement courses towards program prerequisites, including science courses (with the exception of Anatomy and Physiology). Students who earn their undergraduate degree at LIU will also receive additional points in the admission scoring which gives them a competitive edge.
When do you expect the program to become accredited?
As a new program, we will be preparing our document for initial accreditation to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) when the first class begins their final year of the program. We anticipate having our onsite visit from CAPTE in the fall of 2027 and our decision at their spring meeting in 2028. All course credits that students earn while the program is in candidacy status are applicable to their degree and ensure their eligibility to sit for the PT licensure exam after graduation.
Where are the teaching facilities located on campus?
The program will be housed in two adjacent buildings (Kumble Hall and the Crafts Building) which are located between the Library and the Veterinary Medical School buildings. Both buildings have been recently renovated for the DPT program. A dedicated classroom, anatomy lab, research labs, pediatric treatment room, a student lounge area, and faculty offices are located in Kumble Hall, while the teaching labs and locker rooms are located in the Crafts Building. Although there is no parking adjacent to these buildings yet, there is a bus stop located directly behind them.
We have new, contemporary equipment for students to learn on and free electronic access to most of the textbooks being used in the curriculum through Access Physiotherapy which is found on the Library’s website. Other campus resources include a state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation Center where students can practice their clinical skills using a variety of low- and high-fidelity manikins.
What is special about the DPT curriculum on LIU’s Post Campus?
The professional DPT curriculum is organized in a modular format so that each semester is divided into 6- or 7-week modules that allow students to focus on just 2 or 3 courses at a time. Except during clinical practicums, classes will typically run from Monday through Thursday only. This provides an opportunity for students to work or tend to other personal matters on Fridays as needed.
All students will also have an opportunity to work with a faculty member to complete a small group scholarly project and present their findings at the end of the program. In addition, students will be expected to participate in various campus and community service activities of their choice. PT students will be able to join other students in the Schools of Nursing and Health Professions to participate in a series interprofessional learning activities.
How many clinical practicums are included in the curriculum?
The program includes three full-time clinical practice courses that are spread throughout the curriculum. The first, 6-week experience occurs at the end of summer (4th term). The second, 12-week experience occurs the following summer (7th term), and the final, 12-week experience occurs just prior to graduation in the last spring semester (9th term). Thus, students will complete a total of 30 weeks of supervised clinical practice prior to graduation. In addition, they will have an opportunity to practice certain clinical skills on real and simulated patients throughout other courses in the curriculum.
Do I have a choice in where I complete my clinical practicums?
Students will be required to complete at least one practicum in an inpatient facility (e.g., hospital, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center) and one practicum in an outpatient facility (e.g., orthopedic clinic, home health, school-based setting). The third practicum may focus on any area of interest and include specialty experiences. Students will submit their preferences to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE), but the final assignments will be made by the DCE.
Is student housing available on campus?
The South Residence Complex is an option available to students 21 years or older and graduate students. The suites consist of three or four bedrooms that surround a shared living room and share a bathroom facility. A suite single costs $8939 per semester and a suite double with A/C is $5959 per semester. Space is limited.
Are there any athletic/recreational centers available for students?
Yes! Campus recreation activities include dynamic health and wellness programming, a variety of intramural events and tournaments, and opportunity to join sports clubs. The Pratt Recreation Center is a 77,000-square-foot facility containing a 3,000 seat gymnasium with 3 full-size basketball and volleyball courts, an elevated Mondo-X indoor jogging track, an 8-lane recreational and competitive swimming pool, weight room, fitness room, and locker rooms. The newly renovated BlueFit Cardio Center offers 10 Peloton bikes, multiple elliptical style machines, rowing machines, and a 1/10th of a mile track. This is located on the track of the basketball gym in the Pratt Center. Outdoor facilities include the Bethpage Federal Credit
Union football stadium, a tennis center, soccer park, rugby field, softball complex, and the North Shore Equestrian Center.
What other student benefits exist to attending PT school on the LIU Post campus?
As a University with Division 1 Athletic programs, you will have access to modern athletic equipment and facilities. You may also have access to athletes for research studies and athletic training staff who participate in classroom teaching. In addition, LIU is home to the Tiles Center for the Performing Arts which hosts a variety of musical concerts, dance performances, Broadway shows, comedy hours, and more. Overall, our campus provides a beautiful and safe environment for learning and living that rivals that of other programs in the area.
We welcome students from diverse backgrounds including those who have some type of disability. Our faculty and student services staff are prepared to assist students who need some type of physical or technological accommodation. And, because we are home to a new veterinary medical school, our campus is also very dog-friend
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