School of Health Professions
Doctor of Physical Therapy
This doctorate in physical therapy program educates students who are committed to caring for patients in mind, body and spirit with an emphasis on primary care and preventive medicine as well as continual lifelong learning.
Improving lives through quality, Christ centered training
We are committed to developing health care professionals who have a sound foundation in movement science and are prepared for safe, autonomous, and ethical practice as physical therapists within a changing health care environment. Through this program, our faculty inspires a diverse student body for life-long service of patients in mind, body, and spirit grounded in evidence and best practices in rehabilitation and medicine.
Credits
101
CUAA Continues
CUAA will continue to offer this program in 2025 and beyond
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Sample Careers
- Physical Therapist
- Home Care PT
- Pediatric PT
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Program Overview
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Through the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you’ll receive the in-depth training for entry-level practice of physical therapy as a generalist clinician. Over the course of your 28 month studies, you’ll explore not only the scientific underpinnings of this profession, but also the professional characteristics of a leader in health care. You’ll learn how to supervise PT staff and personnel, create programs that promote healthy living, and follow the legal and ethical standards of clinical practice.
Our comprehensive curriculum includes coursework in human anatomy and motion, therapeutic exercise, neuroscience, clinical decision making and problem solving, and musculoskeletal disorders, to name just a few. This learning will take place out in the field and in our state-of-the-art-facilities.
This accelerated graduate face-to-face program consists of 101 semester credits which is spread over 29 didactic courses, and three clinical experiences. These courses and clinical experiences are completed in seven semesters. Students will complete 1,280 hours of clinical education. The curriculum incorporates interprofessional learning experiences and simulation activities aimed at engaging the student in the rich professional content.
Our mission
The DPT program at CUAA inspires a diverse student body for life-long service of patients in mind, body, and spirit grounded in evidence and best practices in rehabilitation and medicine.
The Concordia difference
What to Expect
- Our graduates demonstrate Christian values of care, compassion, respect, empathy and understanding, personal responsibility and trustworthiness in patient, peer, and colleague interactions.
- Our graduates serve as culturally competent professionals when engaging with patients, families, peers and colleagues, and within service roles in community and professional organizations.
- Our graduates will be prepared to provide high-quality, efficient, physical therapy services in a variety of settings through direct access or referral.
- Our graduates will use clinical problem-solving skills to establish a physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis, based on examination and evaluation of the patient, and carry out a safe and effective plan of care.
- Our graduates will demonstrate effective written, interpersonal, and professional communication in all interactions with patients, peers, and colleagues.
- [interpersonal] Demonstrating appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication with patients and families.
- [written] Complete electronic documentation of the physical therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, interventions, and outcomes
- [professional] Communicate diagnostic results and clinical impressions with other practitioners as appropriate
- Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to select appropriate measures, collect accurate information, and analyze the results in order to determine the need for further physical therapy treatment.
Accreditation Status
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Locations
- Ann Arbor
Technical Standards and Essential Functions
The Physical Therapy Program at Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is committed to provide all person’s equal access to higher education without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation status.
The PT Program at CUAA has established Technical Standards for its program delineating the minimum physical, cognitive, emotional, and social requirements necessary to participate fully in all aspects of academic and clinical education. The following essential functional requirements must be met by all students after acceptance into the PT program. In the event that a student is unable, or becomes unable, to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student cannot enroll or remain enrolled in the program. Reasonable accommodations may not:
- Fundamentally alter the nature of the training program
- Compromise the essential elements of the program
- Cause any undue financial or administrative burden
- Endanger the safety of patients, self, or others
With this in mind, all students must be able to meet the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.
Behavioral Attributes
Students must be able to perform self-evaluation and self-learning skills assessments, incorporate the roles of a physical therapist, and comply with the ethical standards of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Students ought to seek to optimize health and hygiene in addition to acknowledging and respecting the values and opinions of colleagues/patients in order to sustain safe and balanced interactions with others. Students need to value professionalism in physical therapy, and execute treatment procedures consistent with the patient/client’s needs.
Communication Skills
Students must demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills necessary for effective verbal, nonverbal and written communications for patients/clients, families, classroom interactions, and other professionals. Students must be able to receive, write, interpret, and send written and verbal communication in academic and clinical settings in routine and emergency situations. Effective communication includes but is not limited to asking questions, explaining procedures, teaching exercises/activities, describing conditions/syndromes to peers, faculty, staff, patients/clients, and other health care professionals.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
Students must be able to collect and utilize information obtained during classroom, laboratory, and clinical assessment activities independently to formulate physical therapy diagnoses. Students should be able to apply critical thinking skills in all settings to determine behavioral, biomechanical, environmental, pathological, and physical influences on a patient’s/client’s function. When conducting physical therapy examinations and evaluations it will be necessary for students to maintain information to formulate, execute, reassess, and if necessary modify treatment and intervention plans. Students should engage in the scientific inquiry process and utilize theories of teaching and learning in community settings.
Motor Skills
Students must demonstrate the necessary balance, coordination, endurance, fine and gross motor skills, strength, and ability to maintain upright postures in order to perform the job duties of the physical therapist in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings for 35-40 hours a week. Students will need to safely and efficiently guard, maneuver, position, resist, and administer exercises and activities to another individual. Students must meet the Medium Work Strength Factor as identified by the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Students must be able to administer CPR in accordance with the American Red Cross or American Heart Association guidelines for professional rescuers. Manual dexterity and sensation is necessary not only for documentation but also for palpating soft tissue structures, bony landmarks, muscle tone, and temperature changes in an individual.
Observational Skills
A student’s observational skills involve hearing, somatic, and visual sensations. Students must be able to observe lecture and laboratory demonstrations, as well as recognize and interpret visual information from patients, clients, classmates, and faculty. Students need to perceive information from treatment equipment, treatment environment, and changes in color of skin and/or body fluids. Students must be able to notice and interpret variations in auscultation/auditory evaluation for apical pulses, blood pressure, heart, joint noise, lungs, and prostheses.
Social Skills
Students must possess the emotional health and stability required for the full utilization of their intellectual abilities; for the exercise of good judgment; for the prompt completion of all responsibilities of patient care; and for the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients/clients. Students must exhibit the ability to tolerate physically challenging environments and function effectively under stress. In order to prove that students are able to adapt to changing environments they must exhibit flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients.
Concordia University Ann Arbor abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equal access for persons with disabilities. If a person believes they may require accommodation(s) in order to meet the technical standards, they may discuss their needs with the Director of Student Accessibility Services. A registration form can be found online at the Student Academic Resources webpage under the Accessibility Services tab. The Director will request and review documentation from a qualified licensing professional to determine eligibility for services. If eligible for reasonable accommodations, SAS will work collaboratively with the student and the DPT program to explore accommodation options. Accommodation may not be possible in some cases.
After being admitted to the program, all candidates for admission to the Physical Therapy program will be required to sign a Technical Standards certificate verifying they understand and meet these technical standards. Candidates must meet all the requirements for Physical Therapists as identified by the National Center for O*NET Development and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Identifying the possession of such skills as outlined above does not guarantee successful completion of the physical therapy educational program.Accreditation Status
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Our story
Admissions
The physical therapy program at Concordia University Ann Arbor started Fall of 2023. The cohort size is 28 students; the program is two-and-a-half years (five semesters, and two summers) long and upon successful graduation students will earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
We anticipate three types of applicants:
- CUAA BSRS (BSRS-Accelerated) applicants who meet the criteria for direct admission (see BSRS-PT track).
- CUAA BSRS applicants who do not meet the criteria for direct admission; however, meet the criteria for general admission (see below).
- Post-baccalaureate students who meet the criteria for general admission.
All applicants will utilize the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS). All qualified applicants will be considered for an interview. The Physical Therapy Admissions Committee is responsible for the review and recommendation of qualified applicants for admission to the Physical Therapy program. Applications are reviewed in the year prior to planned matriculation. The admission cycle typically opens in July and closes in October of the year prior to admission.
Admission Requirements:
Five of the seven prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application.
- Earned Bachelor degree from an accredited four-year higher education institution
- 3.2 Cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the earned degree.
- 3.2 Science GPA for all prerequisite courses
- 8 credits of Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs
- 8 credits of General Chemistry I and II with labs
- 8 credits of College Physics I and II with labs
- 3 credits of Statistics
Application Requirements
All students applying for admission to the program must submit through PTCAS:
- All official transcripts from previously attended universities*
- Three letters of reference (one from a college instructor, one from a physical therapist, and one additional from a reference that can address specifics about the applicant)
- A personal statement that speaks to your desire to pursue your education in physical therapy as well as your personal story so we can learn more about you beyond your academic and test score achievements
- Documentation of completion of 20 hours of Physical Therapy observation (the identified hours must be completed at time of application and documented under the observation hours section of PTCAS)
- Documentation of completion of 20 hours of volunteer/service work with an underserved/underrepresented population (the identified hours must be completed at time of application and documented under the experiences section of PTCAS)
*Students with international transcripts must have them evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service, and the official scores must be submitted directly from the evaluation service to PTCAS.
**TOEFL is required for international applicants. Scored should be reported as follows for a single testing instance: Reading - 22, Listening - 21, Writing - 22, Speaking - 24
***Applicants with additional experience beyond 40 hours will not be granted preferential consideration.
How to Apply
Go to ptcas.org to start your application. Be prepared to submit the items from the checklist above to complete the application process. For assistance or questions, please contact Graduate Admissions at 734-995-7527.
Accreditation Status
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
FAQs
For a list of FAQs, please click here.
The University reserves the right to delay or cancel the matriculation of cohorts, classes, or programs. Decisions regarding program matriculation are made by the University. Candidates for enrollment in accredited healthcare programs should contact the program director for detailed information and refer to their acceptance letter for any updates about delays or cancellations. Once a student is matriculated into an accredited program, the University is committed to completing the program.
Accreditation
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Complaint process
Our clinical partners and members of the public that wish to share areas of concern with the program are encouraged to do so. Any and all complaints are reviewed by the Program Director and the outcome of that review will be communicated with the respondent. To submit a complaint please provide your contact information and a detailed description of the issue you wish to be addressed to Robert.frampton@253000xa.com. All complaints are kept confidential to the extent possible and any complainant is free from retaliation.
Planned CAPTE Decision
The program expects that a decision for Initial Accreditation will come after the CAPTE October 2025 meeting. Graduates of the program would be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as early as January provided all the required registration materials and fees are submitted to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) by the appropriate deadlines. The expected graduation from the program will occur in December of 2025.
Kendra Dunsford
PT, DHSC, DPT, SCS, STC
Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 329
Phone: (734) 995-7468
Bio
Dr. Dunsford has over 16 years of clinical experience in outpatient orthopaedics and sports medicine.
Education
- DPT - Physical Therapy, Emory University (2006)
- BS - Kinesiology, University of Michigan (2001)
- Health Science; Education, University of the Pacific (2023)
Research Interests
- Pediatric Sports Specialization
- Pediatric Injury Prevention
Teaching Interests
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopaedics
Sheena Long
PT, DPT, MSAT, ATC
Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 307
Phone: (734) 995-7511
Bio
I enjoy wellness adventures which includes being out in nature with my camera taking photos of landscape, wildlife, pets, and sports action shots.
Education
- DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy, Shenandoah University (2010)
- MS - Athletic Training, Shenandoah University (2010)
- BA - Exercise and Sports Science, University of San Francisco (2006)
Research Interests
- Emergency Action Planning in Sports Medicine
- Risk Management
Teaching Interests
- Sports Medicine
- Emergency Action Planning
Susannah L. Steele
PT, PCS
Director - Interim - Physical Therapy, Assistant Professor
Office: Ann Arbor North Building 315A
Phone: (734) 995-7472
Bio
Dr. Steele has been a practicing clinical PT since 1999 largely focused on pediatrics and actively teaching in DPT programs since 2014.
Education
- DPT - Physical Therapy , Boston University (2008)
- MS - Physical Therapy , Grand Valley State University (1999)
- BS - Physiology, Michigan State University (1996)
Research Interests
- PT educational practices and assessment
- Contemporary teaching and learning practices in higher education
Teaching Interests
- Pediatrics in Physical Therapy
- Neurology in Physical Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Physical Therapy (PT) program?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at CUAA is 2.5 years (7 semesters) of accelerated learning delivered in a flipped classroom format.
Does the PT program require the GRE?
No. GRE is not required for admission into the program.
What are the GPA requirements?
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 is required, and the Science prerequisite requirement is 3.2 as well for post baccalaureate applicants. Candidates who identify physical therapy as their major in their freshman year at CUAA will be enrolled in an accelerated program with a prerequisite of 3.4 and will be guaranteed an interview.
Does admission weigh only on the GPA?
No. We use a holistic admission process that assesses the candidate's eligibility and ability to be successful in the program based on many aspects (personal statement essay, focus essay, letters of recommendation, volunteer/community service hours, observation hours, in-person interview).
Who can write a letter of recommendation?
Three letters of recommendation are required: one from a licensed Physical Therapist, one from a professor, and a third from anyone of your choosing.
What prerequisite courses are required for admissions?
Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs (8 credits), Chemistry I & II with labs (8 credits), Physics I & II with labs (8 credits), and math-based Statistics (3 credits).
Are online courses accepted?
We now accept online courses with labs that meet the requirements, such as Portage Learning: http://portagelearning.edu/
Do all prerequisite courses need to be completed before applying?
Applicants are encouraged to complete all courses before the application deadline. However, with communication with admission administration, exceptions may be made for up to two courses to be completed prior to the commencement of the program.
I did not score well in a prerequisite course. If I choose to retake it, how will this affect my prerequisite GPA?
The highest score earned in a course is counted toward GPA. Prior lower scores are disregarded.
How do I apply?
Complete an application through PTCAS: http://ptcas.liaisoncas.com
What does the interview process involve?
We conduct an in-person interview and a group interview, which takes place on campus for a full day. During this interview, you will meet the professors, tour the campus, engage in activities with others, and speak with current students for Q&A.
How long will it take to find out if I am accepted into the program?
Typically, after the in-person interview, you will receive an email notification of acceptance into the program within 2-3 days. To hold your spot after verbal acceptance, a $1000 deposit will be requested within 2 weeks.
How many observation hours/volunteer hours are required?
Observation hours are considered hours spent with a physical therapist observing aspects of the career of being a physical therapist. We require at least 20 hours with a physical therapist in any practice environment (outpatient, inpatient, subacute rehab, etc.). At least 20 volunteer hours are required and recommended for an underserved and/or underrepresented population.
After I am accepted, what can I expect?
Once accepted into the program, a six-week self-paced onboarding orientation will begin in July. The orientation aims to acclimate you to staff and professors, introduce the handbook and policies, meet your cohort, familiarize you with the electronic learning system, and orient you to the curriculum.
In August, before the start of the semester, a mandatory all-day on-campus orientation will occur. This orientation will include fitting for your white coat name badge, among other important orientation information.
Is there a whitecoat ceremony?
Yes. There will be a whitecoat ceremony within the first few weeks of the semester. Family is encouraged to attend and celebrate this momentous occasion.
About our partnership
Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) and Rehab Essential’s enTandemDPT have partnered to put together a unique learning experience for students interested in becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Rehab Essential's enTandem faculty provide high-quality video lectures and introduction to clinical psychomotor skills videos. This provides the CUAA faculty time to engage students in high-impact activities such as clinical cases, simulations, inter-professional and community experiences. The lectures and videos, accessed by students online, are designed based on best practices in blended and online instruction; including keeping the content expert in the video to allow students to pick up on non-verbal cues, keeping recordings limited to 15-minute segments, and including interactive knowledge checks in each segment.
The collaboration between Rehab Essentials and CUAA is intentionally designed to work "enTandem" and includes ongoing communication and feedback regarding curriculum, teaching effectiveness, and student performance.
Connect with us to learn more!
Accreditation Status
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Program Outcomes
Learning Outcome Data
*Graduation rate according to the formula in the Annual Accreditation Report
** The two-year average first-time pass rate
***Licensure examination pass rate consistent with the information published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
****Employment rate: % of graduates who were employed within 6 months of passing the licensure examination
| Graduation Year | Graduation Rate * | 2-year Graduation Rate | First-Time Pass Rate | 2-year average 1st time pass rate** | Ultimate Pass Rate*** | 2-year average ultimate pass rate | Employment Rate **** | Number of Students per Cohort | Number of Concordia Undergraduates in Cohort |
| 2020 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2021 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2022 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2023 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2024 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2025 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 2026 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Average Outcomes
- Our average two-year graduation rate for the classes for 2021 and 2022 is 96%
- Our average two-year licensure pass rate for the classes of 2021 and 2022 is 100%
- Our average two-year employment rate for the classes of 2021 and 2022 is 100%
Tuition & Fees
|
CLASS |
Cohort 2024-25 |
Cohort 2025-26 |
|
SEMESTER TUITION |
$21,960 |
$22,725 |
|
YEARLY TUITION |
$43,920 |
$45,450 |
|
YEARLY FEES |
$322 |
$945 |
|
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES |
$3,418 |
$3,510 |
|
TOTAL COST (approximate) |
$119,120 |
$118,080 |
Scholarship Opportunities
Accreditation status
Effective April 25, 2023, Concordia University Ann Arbor has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (734) 995-7431 or email hailey.waryas@253000xa.com.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.