Northeastern University Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT) graduates are innovative, global minded leaders who excel in clinical practice, research, and community service as one of the longest accredited programs in the United States, where Cooperative Education is a required curriculum component,our students graduate with exceptional clinical decision-making skills and experience in the field of physical therapist practice. Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a unique program which allows students to alternate periods of academic study with periods of employment. This program is for applicants who hold a baccalaureate or master's degree in any field other than physical therapy. 

Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program builds on the university's core values of contribution, diversity, engagement, integrity, and opportunity. Our exceptional faculty are dedicated to promoting excellence in practice, education, research,community service, and scholarship. A hallmark of our program is the integration of experiential learning and didactic education through the involvement with standardized patients, community consultants, service-learning programs, and engagement in research opportunities with faculty. 

UNIQUE PROGRAM FEATURES

Interprofessional Opportunities: 

At Bouve College of Health Sciences, interprofessional simulation-learning takes place in the Arnold S. Goldstein Laboratory Suite. Our faculty considers simulation-learning a vital component of experiential education and critical to interprofessional education, collaborative practice and promoting a team-based approach to health care delivery. 

Global: 

We offer multiple global academic and service-oriented experiences including but not limited to PT academic exchange programs to Switzerland, PT service programs to Ecuador and clinical education opportunities. 

Concentration Options: 

Sports Performance Concentration

Sports Performance Concentration enhances a graduates ability to work with athletes collaboratively across all setting with multi-disciplinary teams including physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning and sports performance specialists. This concentration prepares physical therapy students to sit for the National strength and conditioning association ceritifed strength and conditioning specialist exam. 

Pediatric Concentration 

The concentration in Pediatric Physical Therapy will enhance the entry-level Physical Therapy (PT) graduates ability to engage in interprofessional, family-centered services with children from infancy through young adulthood in a variety of settings.

Research Opportunites: 
1. Neuromotor Systems Lab 

2. Lab for Locomotion Research, The ReGameVR Lab 

3. Movement Neuroscience Lab 

4. Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics Lab 

5. Neurophysiology Lab 

6. Teaching and Learning Innovation Lab

7. Musculoskeletal Epidemiology and Biomechanics Lab 

8. Cadaver Lab 

9. Neuroscience Wet Lab and Human Cadaver Lab

10. Simulation Education 

Cooperative Education: 

Our physical therapy program is one of the only schools where cooperative education is an integral component of the curriculum. This experiential requirement affords students six months of employment within a physical therapy setting. Additional information is available at https://careers.northeastern.edu/cooperative-education/.

Applicants must respond to the PTMRS department within 48 hours indicating that they will or will not attend Northeastern's DPT program.

The size of the most recent entering class is 40. 

Graduate students join an existing cohort of undergraduate students and together will work as a graduating class toward the DPT.