About the Physical Therapy Program

students balancing and throwing a ball

Welcome to the Division of Physical Therapy. We encourage you to explore our program and compare it to others as you research physical therapy education.

  • The first Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in Ohio.
  • 99.3%& first time licensure (NPTE) pass rate over the past 15 years.
  • Ranked among the top 25% PT programs in the US by US News and World Report
  • 2022 APTA Reach 100% Student Membership Challenge member

Physical Therapy was one of the first programs added after Ohio University formed the College of Health and Human Services — the predecessor of today’s College of Health Sciences and Professions — in 1979. The Physical Therapy program accepted its first undergraduate students in 1984. The graduate program launched in 1996 with a master’s degree, followed by the doctoral program in 2003. The OHIO Physical Therapy graduate program has been consistently ranked among the top physical therapy programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and other respected publications.

Students begin the clinical education portion of the curriculum in the first year with a part-time clinical assignment locally. This integrated clinical experience allows the students to practice what they have been learning in the classroom. In addition, students often collaborate with students from other health professional programs in the College of Health Sciences and Professions and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in clinical settings to experience the continuum of care across disciplines.

Ohio University students are encouraged to participate in research, and physical therapy faculty frequently include students in their work. The school maintains labs for research in biomaterials, motor control, muscle mechanics and integrative muscle physiology where faculty and students alike can explore areas of interest.