Program Vision
Our vision is to produce physical therapists who are critical thinkers and life-long learners, who demonstrate excellence in professional practice, are consumers or contributors to evidence based practice, and are leaders in service to others.
Program Mission
The mission of the Physical Therapy Program is to provide an exceptional educational environment to foster the growth and development of professional knowledge, skills and behaviors consistent with the profession of physical therapy, in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of Walsh University’s Physical Therapy Program supports our belief that to be a steward within today’s healthcare environment, our faculty and students will demonstrate superior professional behaviors required of reflective and collaborative healthcare practitioners. Our program will provide a cultivating environment to foster development of leadership, service, and advocacy through mentorship and altruistic endeavors. The goal of these guiding principles is to promote the management of the movement system across the lifespan, within community based clinical and non-clinical settings. This will be accomplished by utilizing a variety of partnerships or experiences to provide an integrative and transformational learning environment using human movement as the teacher.
Program Goals
Building on a solid grounding in the liberal arts, the graduate level program focuses on the development of students emphasizing those values and characteristics that will enable the graduate to function as a competent provider of physical therapy services.
Based on the missions of Walsh University and the Physical Therapy Program, the following five goals were developed:
Goal 1
- Prepare competent doctors of physical therapy for evidence based and collaborative clinical practice.
Goal 2
- Develop consumers and creators of scholarship by promoting and supporting academic excellence through engagement in basic science, clinical, and translational research for dissemination of new knowledge.
Goal 3
- Engage in physical therapy service partnerships that provide health care education, service/outreach, research activities, and clinical care to the general population.
Goal 4
- Promote ideal ethical and professional behaviors consistent with the physical therapy profession.
Goal 5
- Demonstrate excellence in innovative instructional strategies and/or communication methods.
To achieve these goals the students must demonstrate the general knowledge, skill, and mindfulness of a competent physical therapist who exhibits the Judeo-Christian values of Walsh University.
Program Overview
The Walsh University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program’s student-centered, values-based teaching approach fosters an environment where clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice, and service to the community are at the forefront. Our curriculum is designed around major body system impairments, providing a comprehensive understanding of the human body and its functions. We integrate the business side of healthcare with clinical learning to prepare you for modern physical therapy practice. Through active learning and case-study methods, we foster critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills.
The Walsh University DPT program is a 32-month (eight-semester) journey, including two summers, leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Our coursework builds on basic sciences and problem-solving skills, enabling you to excel in patient examination, diagnosis, intervention, teaching, and scientific inquiry. Students complete a faculty-mentored, evidence-based capstone project to enhance analytical and communication abilities. You will participate in four full-time clinical education experiences, plus additional part-time patient experiences, culminating in a comprehensive exam to prepare for the national licensing examination.
As a Walsh DPT student, you'll engage in leadership, service, and professional development aligned with your professional goals. Faculty members serve as dedicated supporters, guiding you through enriching experiences. We emphasize in-person, face-to-face learning with weekly classroom meetings and practical demonstrations, integrating online components where appropriate. This approach ensures you develop ethical clinical reasoning and an empathetic mindset essential for success. DPT students also collaborate with occupational therapy students in foundational coursework and engage professionally in the dedicated health sciences graduate student lounge, fostering a deep understanding of patient care and professional practice.
