Doctor of Physical Therapy
Prepare to lead meaningful change as a forward-thinking physical therapy professional. Turn your passion into your purpose with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences.
Our physical therapy doctorate program combines a strong foundation in scientific knowledge with practical clinical experiences, ensuring you graduate with the skills and confidence to excel in various health care settings. You will be immersed in a challenging and innovative curriculum that will prepare you for success in the constantly evolving field of physical therapy. At DMU, you'll:
Physical Therapy Is the #7 Best Health Care Job.
- U.S. News and World Report, 2024
Meet the growing need for compassionate and competent physical therapists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% growth in available roles by 2032, with a median annual salary of $99,710. Our program focuses on movement science, manual therapy and case-based learning experiences that provide the knowledge and skills to help you become a highly-qualified physical therapist. Our student outcomes continue to be above the national standards, and DMU’s hands-on approach to curriculum delivery is second to none. DMU’s D.P.T. degree students have a board pass rate of 99.3% over the past three years and consistently find rewarding careers as physical therapists in a variety of settings.
DMU intentionally designed our newly constructed campus to enrich all programs, especially the D.P.T. degree. Our curriculum provides a rigorous blend of knowledge and hands-on practice in state-of-the-art facilities, including the Simulation Center. You'll also learn in a hybrid format, including online sessions, on-campus immersions and hands-on clinical experiences.
DMU's D.P.T. program emphasizes superior manual skills, problem-based learning and hands-on clinical experiences. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the human body, movement science and evidence-based physical therapy practices.
Year 1 Fall Term
Year 1 Spring Term
Year 1 Summer Term
Year 2 Fall Term
Year 2 Spring Term
Year 2 Summer Term
Year 3 Fall Term
DMU is one of the nation's best medical and health sciences universities. With a student body made up entirely of graduate students, you can be sure our collaborative and innovative learning environment — with extensive clinical experience and expert faculty guidance — will prepare you for a successful career.
DMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Des Moines University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 515-271-1634 or email traci.bush@dmu.edu.
At DMU, we are committed to helping you achieve your career goals. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way.
I love DMU because of the high-quality education and the top-notch professors and facilities that allow me to pursue the field of physical therapy. A strength of the P.T. program is the manual medicine training and the hands-on approach. The interactions I've had with patients have really bolstered me as an aspiring physical therapist.
- Andrew De Noble, D.P.T.'25
