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University of Lynchburg

/ Graduate Academics / Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

DPT students helping a physical therapy patient

Become a physical therapist.

The University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program provides students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills necessary to enter practice as a physical therapist. Our new accelerated curriculum consisting of 98 credit hours is designed to meet the growing demand for physical therapists. It has been carefully made to include a student-centered approach, evidence-based focus, and case-based integrated instruction.

Under the new curriculum, Lynchburg DPT students complete 32 weeks of supervised clinical experiences at various health care facilities across the U.S., allowing them to gain real-world experience. Faculty members are dedicated to student success and provide personalized instruction and mentoring through one-on-one office hours, small group sessions, lab work, and seminars.

Our comprehensive, progressive curriculum covers the full range of fundamental sciences and physical therapy practice areas while highlighting the importance of a patient-centered approach. Clinical decision-making skills and active learning strategies are emphasized throughout the curriculum.

At Lynchburg, we believe in providing a high-quality education with practical experiences for our DPT students so that they may become the highest-quality clinicians.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program features:

  • A student-centered approach from faculty who are dedicated to student success.
  • A progressive, evidence-based physical therapy curriculum.
  • Active student learning through case-based, integrated instruction.
  • 32 weeks of supervised clinical experiences at health care facilities across the U.S. for the new curriculum.

Why choose the Lynchburg DPT program?

You’ll receive an education rooted in exceptional teaching, resources, and experiences — all designed to prepare you for success.
Lynchburg’s DPT program provides an unparalleled experience for aspiring physical therapists. With evidence-based instruction, student-centered learning environments, and a close working relationship with faculty, students can access the most current and up-to-date research and clinical information. The University also offers state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratory facilities, as well as onsite dedicated physical therapy research areas. Additionally, our health care partnerships offer unique clinical experiences that will prepare students for future practice.

Lynchburg’s program is a path to success:

  • 100% of graduates who sought employment as physical therapists were employed within one year of graduation.
  • 96% ultimate National Physical Therapy (NPTE) exam pass rate.
  • 94% graduation rate.

Learn more about our outcomes and successes.

What makes our School of Physical Therapy unique?

Amazing Facilities
Lynchburg offers an impressive 37,000-square-foot facility dedicated to physical therapy. Open 24/7, the building includes research lab space, classrooms, and a specialized graduate cadaver lab where students can gain hands-on experience working with human cadavers and anatomic models Additionally, the on-site University of Lynchburg Community Health Center allows students to apply their classroom knowledge treating real-life patients with a variety of health conditions.
The Health Sciences building at the University of Lynchburg
Dedicated Faculty
Our institution has outstanding faculty who are committed to teaching and providing excellent patient care. Our faculty members are experts in their respective fields, many with active research projects that expand the knowledge base for physical therapy students. All faculty members are passionate about promoting student success through comprehensive instruction and fostering practical experience to prepare students for a successful career in physical therapy.
A professor is explaining something about a human brain that's on a table in front of him, as two of his students look on
Community Health Center
The University of Lynchburg Community Health Center is an on-site clinic that’s run and staffed by DPT students. This clinic provides free physical therapy services to residents of Central Virginia who are either uninsured, underinsured, or have used up their insurance benefits. It offers an array of treatments such as strengthening, conditioning, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, balance training, wellness services, and patient education. The center fosters collaboration among students and professors so they can learn how to become effective practitioners in providing quality care.
A patient with two DPT students in a physical therapy facility
Service-Integrated Curriculum
The service-oriented curriculum provides students with opportunities to gain experience by helping underserved communities. The Student Professional Involvement program plans service opportunities in the community and is involved in programs like Wheels on the James and the Special Olympics.
DPT students surrounding a young boy in a wheelchair
DPT and AT Dual Certification
DPT students can opt to add an extra year of study at the end of their Doctor of Physical Therapy Program to pursue a Master of Science in Athletic Training. This program provides additional expertise in the fields of sports injury management, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. This specialized dual degree prepares PTs for positions as clinicians in sports medicine clinics, universities, or professional teams. With such a dual certification, DPTs can be well-equipped to prevent and treat athlete injuries, as well as provide care for those suffering from disabilities or chronic diseases.
An athlete lying on the floor of a gym with two athletic trainers tending to her leg
200+ Clinical Sites
The University of Lynchburg DPT program allows students to access a variety of clinical sites, locally, regionally, and nationally. With more than 200 different clinical sites and partnerships, students have an extensive range of choices for their rotations. Each site provides varied learning experiences in physical therapy, allowing students to learn from experienced clinicians as they develop their skills and practice patient care. Clinical sites are carefully chosen based on the quality and scope of their services so that students can experience different settings and contexts in physical therapy.
A physical therapist in a physical therapy room with equipment in the background
International Opportunities
Study abroad and service learning opportunities in the DPT program offer a unique opportunity for nontraditional learning. As a student in the University of Lynchburg’s DPT program, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in places like Italy, where you’ll experience the close connection between art and anatomy. You’ll also have several opportunities to travel to Central American or Caribbean nations to provide care to individuals who don’t have access to physical therapy.

Go further. Start here.

Let us know if you’re interested, and we’ll be in touch.

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Hear From DPT Students, Faculty, and Alumni

Price Blair, PhD

Whether it's with graduate health science students learning about the nervous system or in honors classes about Bruce Springsteen, Price Blair has a passion for teaching that shows.

W. Allen Moore, PhD, PT

Students in Lynchburg's Doctor of Physical Therapy program learn to see "exercise as medicine" from W. Allen Moore. As the program's director, he's committed to prioritizing student growth and success.

Jeff Taylor Jr. ’11, ’15 DPT

Now a pro sports physical therapist, Jeff Taylor '11, '15 DPT traces his successes all the way back through grad school to lessons he learned in Lynchburg undergrad exercise physiology classes.

J.T. Podell ’15 DPT

As a Lynchburg student, J.T. Podell '15 DPT benefited from personal attention from his professors. Now, working in rehab and training in the pro sports world, he makes it a point to relay his own experience to his staff.

Interested in applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?

We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment so that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of a career in physical therapy.

  • Application opens: June 15
  • Application deadline: March 3rd, 2025
  • Rolling admissions
  • Admission interviews start in the Fall semester
  • Fall start (August)
Prerequisites

Sciences (31 credit hours)

  • 4 credit hours of Biology with lab
  • 8 credit hours of Chemistry with lab
  • 8 credit hours of Physics with lab
  • 4 credit hours of Human Anatomy with lab
  • 4 credit hours of Human Physiology with lab
  • 3 credit hours of Advanced Biology (includes Histology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Exercise Physiology; other courses which satisfy this requirement may be considered)

These courses should be equivalent to courses required in the science majors.

Academic institutions offering Human Anatomy/Physiology combination courses will suffice if both courses of the sequence are completed. Example: 4 credit hours of Human Anatomy/Physiology I and 4 credit hours of Human Anatomy/Physiology II.

Psychology (6 credit hours)

  • 3 credit hours of General Psychology
  • 3 credit hours of Advanced Psychology (200-level and above)

Writing-Intensive Courses (9 credit hours)

  • Freshman composition and other writing-intensive courses accepted

Mathematics and Statistics (6 credit hours)

  • Pre-calculus or above
  • 3 credit hours of Statistics

Questions?

If you have questions regarding the verification of prerequisite courses, please send the official website link for the college course, including the course description and course number, to dpt@lynchburg.edu.

The DPT admissions committee will review applicants’ courses/coursework older than seven years to determine eligibility and approval for meeting the prerequisite requirements. This will ensure that applicants with previous coursework have the necessary knowledge/skills to be successful in the DPT program.

Admission Requirements
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Official transcripts of all coursework:
    • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA overall
    • 3.0 cumulative GPA when factoring only prerequisite science coursework.
  • GRE scores sent to PTCAS (GRE Code: 7582)
  • Personal essay as described on PTCAS
  • 80 hours of practical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist with verification.
  • Two recommendation letters:
    • One from a licensed physical therapist
    • One from someone who can speak to your academic ability, such as a college professor

Upon successful admission to the DPT program, all individuals are required to complete a background check before the start of classes.

How to Apply
All University of Lynchburg’s DPT applicants must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) website.

Class of 2027 applicants are now being accepted. The deadline to apply to the program is March 1, 2024. After this date, applications not verified by PTCAS will not be reviewed. The DPT Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications in October. Please view our PTCAS directory page for additional information.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition and Cost

Tuition for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program:

  • $1115 per credit hour
  • $3895 program fee

Virginia residents are encouraged to apply for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG).

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG): Non-Need Based Grant for VA Residents

All Virginia residents should apply for the VTAG grant. It’s a non-need-based grant that does not need to be repaid for students enrolling in undergraduate classes or in a graduate-level, health care-related program, at a Virginia private university.

It currently provides $5,000 per year (2023-24) in renewable tuition support for Virginia residents (exclusions may apply) enrolled full time in an on-campus program. Students enrolling in an online program can receive $2,500 in renewable tuition support.

Details can be found on our financial aid website under Graduate Financial Aid.

Lynchburg VTAG-eligible graduate programs include:

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Graduate Assistantships
Financial aid for graduate students is available in several different forms. Additional information can be found on the graduate financial aid website.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program employs up to four graduate assistants each year.

Student Financial Facts
Please review this student financial fact sheet, compiled using data from our recent graduates, to better understand the costs associated with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Complaints Outside the Realm of Due Process

University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Physical Therapy takes complaints that fall outside the realm of  due process seriously. Anyone may file a complaint regarding any aspect of the program. Complaints should be in writing and addressed to the attention of the Program Director at:

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director
300 Monticello Avenue, Suite A
Lynchburg, Virginia 24501

Process for handling complaints that fall outside the realm of due process:

  1. When a complaint is received, the program director will contact the person(s) making the complaint within ten (10) business days. If a resolution is reached, a letter will be sent to all involved parties confirming the issue of concern and the resolution. The Program Director will keep a copy of the complaint and the resolution on file.
  2. If a resolution is not reached in the step above, the Program Director will notify the Dean of the College and seek additional guidance and/or refer the matter to the College Dean. If a resolution is reached, a letter will be sent to all involved parties confirming the issue of concern and the resolution. The Program Director will keep a copy of the
    complaint and the resolution on file.
  3. If the issue is still not resolved, the person(s) may contact the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
  4. If the complaint involves the Program Director, the matter should be addressed directly to the College Dean, and any resolution will be kept on file by the College Dean.Complaints will be handled in an expedited manner.

Complaints will be kept on file for at least five (5) years. Complaints can be filed without fear of retribution.

Physical Therapist Career/Salary/Growth and Expectations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17% by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. With strong job growth and ample opportunities for advancement, a career in physical therapy is an excellent choice for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others.

Virginia

Physical Therapist:

  • Average: $90,800
  • Entry level: $67,000
  • Experienced: $102,700

National

Physical Therapist:

  • Average: $95,620
  • Entry level: $66,935
  • Experienced: $106,060

Figures for Virginia come from JobsEQ, and national data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Accreditation and Partnerships

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Verify Status BadgeThe Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Lynchburg is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085

703.706.3245
accreditation@apta.org

If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 434.544.8885 or email dpt@lynchburg.edu.

Master Partner with the Partners in Education Program
The University of Lynchburg is a proud master partner with the Partners in Education program, a joint venture between Lynchburg City Schools and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.

Program Contacts

General Program Information

For information about the program and questions about admissions, contact:

434.544.8885
dpt@lynchburg.edu

Program Director

W. Allen Moore, PT, PhD
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Associate Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences

434.544.8890
moore.w@lynchburg.edu

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