GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The program requires approximately three years (36 months) of didactic classroom/laboratory work and clinical learning experiences. In keeping with the public affairs mission of the university, (recognized as a model program in the State of Missouri), our students also participate in service learning and integrated clinical activities. Faculty members are committed to educating students through the use of a mixture of traditional, case-based, and problem-solving strategies in an educational environment that is both friendly and challenging. The program is designed to produce excellent general practitioners who can function in a caring and professional manner, possess the skills and self-confidence to assume leadership and primary care positions within the profession, and become civic-minded practitioners in their communities. Research projects and clinical case reports are completed in the second and third year. Students enter the program after having completed a baccalaureate degree. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is conferred in May of the third year, upon successful completion of the program. CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Students participate in part-time supervised clinical experiences in the Missouri State Physical Therapy Clinic beginning in the first year. Additionally, each student completes a total of 38 weeks of full-time clinical internships ranging in length from 4-8 weeks each. Missouri State has over 400 affiliated clinical sites, which are located in Missouri and across the United States. FACULTY: The program has eleven full-time (core) faculty members, nine adjunct/associated faculty members, and various guest lecturers/lab assistants. All core faculty are licensed physical therapists. Seven of the core faculty members also hold academic doctoral degrees (PhD, DHSc), and four hold clinical doctoral degrees (DPT). The mix of faculty include clinical specialists certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (Neuro, Orthopedics, and Geriatrics), as well as other clinical specializations such as lymphedema, exercise, pain science, and dry-needling. Nine core faculty are engaged in significant clinical practice. The core faculty to student ratio is 1 to 11. ENROLLMENT: Missouri State University has a total enrollment of approximately 22,000 students. The physical therapy program accepts up to 40 new students each year. OUTCOMES: 100% of our students who graduated in the last 3 years passed the national physical therapy licensure exam. All graduates have been employed before or shortly after graduation, with many receiving multiple offers. TUITION, FEES AND FINANCIAL AID: For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition, books and fees is approximately $6573.22 per semester or $19,719.67 per year for residents of Missouri and $11,302.11 per semester or $33,906.33 per year for non-residents. A majority of students receive financial aid in the form of student loans. Limited competitive scholarship funds are available from the Missouri State University Graduate College and the Department of Physical Therapy. For specific information regarding financial aid, contact the Missouri State University Office of Financial Aid ([800] 283-4243) or Graduate College ([866] 767-4723). STUDENT LIFE: Graduate students obtain off-campus housing, which is conveniently located and reasonably priced. The campus is located in Springfield, the third largest city in Missouri. Springfield and the surrounding area offer multiple cultural, entertainment, sporting, and outdoor activities including the Springfield Symphony, Springfield Cardinal Baseball, Branson Missouri, and multiple lake and river recreational attractions. Two major medical and several academic institutions serve the greater Springfield region.
Individuals offered and accepting a position in the DPT program are required to pay two fees: 1) a non-refundable $55.00 Graduate College activation and processing fee 2) a non-refundable $500.00 DPT Program deposit (which will be credited toward tuition upon matriculation to the Program)
http://www.missouristate.edu/physicaltherapy/doctorate/