Boston University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
635 Commonwealth Avenue Department of Physical Therapy Boston MA 02215 United States

This page is intended for applicants who will have an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation into our DPT program. High school or college transfer students must contact Boston University directly (www.bu.edu/admissions) for information about the guaranteed freshman-entry program. Please do not apply to our BS/DPT program using PTCAS.

Program Description

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Boston University is designed to educate you, as a physical therapist, to be an expert in the human movement system. We use a functional systems approach to assess human movement that drives the subsequent comprehensive physical therapy examination and intervention. Our goal is to help you become a lifelong learner, critical thinker, evidence-based practitioner, ethical care giver and an effective clinician who will creatively and successfully meet the challenges of an evolving and diverse health care system. Our faculty include movement specialists who are master clinicians with APTA clinical specialization certification and continue to practice clinically. Many of our faculty are also world-renowned rehabilitation researchers who bring their passion and expertise to the classroom. 

Evidence based practice is a core value of our physical therapy program, as are health promotion, wellness, and prevention of injury or disease. The design of the curriculum fully prepares you as generalist, able to pursue a career in any clinical practice setting. As a graduate, you will be equipped to practice as an integral member of the health care team. We believe that this approach to physical therapy education insures quality care for any and all persons who seek the services of a physical therapist. Advanced physical therapist educational experiences also exist within our department in the areas of orthopedic and neurologic physical therapy residencies and a manual physical therapy fellowship. 

Our 3 year, full time, physical therapy program begins at the end of May. During the first academic year, you will participate in classroom instruction, lab exploration and clinical education. By spending time with a physical therapist at a local site, you will be able to contemporaneously apply what you are learning in the classroom to a clinical population. There are also 40 weeks of full-time clinical experiences interspersed throughout the remaining 2 years of the professional curriculum, which takes place at 3 to 4 different locations and settings. 

Our stellar education program, our exceptional students and our outstanding graduate pass rate on the National PT Licensure Examination all lead to our exemplary employment rate following graduation. Boston University will help you develop into an extraordinary clinician who will lead our profession in the future.

Boston University is located on a large University campus with corresponding amenities and advantages such as a large fitness and recreation center, many varsity and club sports, an active sustainability program, a national leader in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion and a wide variety of student community service organizations, all housed in a city known for its political, social, academic, arts and theater offerings. Boston is an exciting and vibrant city, which is a hub for innovative medicine. Whether you are interested in cultural events or contemporary venues, sporting franchises or historic attractions, there are always plenty of opportunities on campus or within the city to enjoy your time in our the physical therapy program.

General
Program offers a guaranteed freshman admission pathway?
Yes
Dual Degrees
Dual-degree programs offered in conjunction with the PT degree
We are pleased to offer a DPT/PhD dual degree for those students who wish to obtain both a clinical degree and a research degree.
Will the professional (entry-level) PT program offer a satellite or branch campus to applicants during the upcoming admissions cycle?
No
Admission Interviews
Program conducts interviews as part of the admissions process?
Yes
Additional information about interviews

On-campus interviews are not part of the admissions process. Boston University is partnering with Kira Talent to provide online remote interviews. Invitations to this interview platform will be sent out via email in late fall for a select number of candidates. The costs associated with BU's interview via Kira Talent will be assumed by Boston University.

Deposits
Is a Deposit Required for Accepted Applicants?
Yes
Total cumulative deposit
$500
Additional Information about Deposit
This is a non-refundable deposit to secure your seat in our program.  The deposit will be credited to the first tuition payment.
Deposit Refundable?
No
Deposits collected on a rolling basis after offer of admission made?
Yes
Cost
Total Cost of Education for In-State Students
$164895
Total Cost of Education for out of State Students
$164895
Incoming Class Profile
Anticipated Size of the Next Entering Class
80
Size of Most Recent Entering Class
82
% of students from IN-STATE
32%
% of students from OUT-OF-STATE
68%
% of CANADIAN students
0%
% of INTERNATIONAL (non-U.S/non-Canadian) students
0%
Sex
% Male
22%
% Female 
78%
% Declining to State
0%
Race/Ethnicity
% Hispanic 
14%
% Asian
11%
% African-American/Black (Non-Hispanic)
5%
% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
% White (Not of Hispanic Origin) 
70%
% Two or More Races 
3%
% Declining to State 
0%
Additional information about the class profile
Boston University is a private institution and therefore does not give preferences to local, national or international students.
Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Status
Program housed at a Minority-Serving Institution No
Info
Founded2001
Employees25 to 100
Contacts