Physical Therapy

  • Doctoral

About the Program

Our goal is to train excellent, entry-level clinicians who are both exceptional physical therapists and well-rounded professionals. We believe small class size plays a big role in achieving this outcome. While 72% of Physical Therapy programs nationwide have more than 100 students per graduating class, we limit ours to 36. That way, you get individualized attention, opportunities to bond with your classmates, and plenty of clinical experiences.

Starting in your first year, clinical experiences are interspersed throughout the curriculum versus saving them for the end of your study. Interspersing these experiences reinforces what is taught in class and reminds students why they decided to pursue physical therapy as a career.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to integrate education, research, and clinical practice to provide sound professional preparation in order to graduate physical therapists who are competent, compassionate, and ethical and who will serve their patients/clients and communities through the practice of quality, evidence-based physical therapy.

Our vision is to create an environment of critical thinking and innovation to:

  • Enhance the student experience and learning opportunities.
  • Promote excellence in evidence-based practice and clinical research.
  • Promote community health and wellness.

What’s it like being a DPT student at UJ?

We encourage students to make lifelong connections, both with each other and with faculty. Our Fargo campus is teeming with both social activities and experiential learning opportunities with patients of all ages.

How to Apply

There are two different routes to apply to the DPT program at UJ:

  • Direct Entry: The Physical Therapy Program will hold a position for qualified applicants, pending successful graduation from University of Jamestown. Students interested in direct entry must submit their application as a senior in high school or as an undergraduate at University of Jamestown.
  • PTCAS.org: All other students should apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service. Learn more about the application process.
  • Articulation Agreements: The Physical Therapy Program has agreements that provide guaranteed admissions for a limited number of undergraduate students from our partner institutions.

Criteria & Application Information

Licensure and Other Information

The Physical Therapy Program is a residential program. Students must attend classes in person at the Fargo campus.

  • Students who graduate from the physical therapy program at the University of Jamestown are able to obtain licensure in any state of the union in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, the Physical Therapy Program meets the licensure requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • The University of Jamestown has not determined if the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program meets the educational requirements for Physical Therapist licensure in the following U.S. jurisdictions: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.
  • Licensing Board Contact Information: Federated State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) – Licensing Authorities page
  • The Physical Therapy Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), a national accrediting body. Students who graduate from the physical therapy program take a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is regulated by a national licensing authority in physical therapy, the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The FSBPT performs regulatory functions in accordance with accepted statutes.
  • University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program is an NC-SARA participant. This participation allows for effective and efficient reciprocal state-level education. This agreement allows students to travel to other NC-SARA states for clinical experiences.
  • Relevant State Licensing Requirements

Accreditation Curriculum Catalog

 

Tuition and Cost

Basic tuition does not cover APTA membership, ExamSoft, EXXAT, technology, background check, clinical education fees or the items listed below. Affiliation requirements, transportation and housing related to clinical practicums/internship varies dependent on clinical education site location. Some require drug screening, fingerprinting or other testing.

Financial information regarding costs can be found in the Financial Fact Sheet.

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year
Tuition $32,250
43 credits ($750/cr)
$32,250
43 credits ($750/cr)
$24,000
32 credits ($750/cr)
Fees $645 $445 $445
Room and Board* $18,000 $18,000 $12,000
Books & Supplies* $2,100 $2,100 $1,400
Transportation* $2,400 $2,400 $1,600
Miscellaneous* $2,400 $2,400 $1,600
Subtotal $57,795 $57,795 $41,045
*estimated costs based on student surveys

Graduate Outcomes

Students graduate from our program as excellent, well-rounded, entry level physical therapists. From that point, the student can choose to work as a general PT in settings such as inpatient, outpatient, or rural health. Or they can choose an area of specialization, such as:

  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary
  • Geriatrics
  • Neurologic
  • Oncology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Pelvic health
  • Pediatrics
  • Sports
  • Wound care management
  • Graduation Rate: 97%
  • First Time National PT Exam Pass Rate: 85%
  • Ultimate National PT Exam Pass Rate: 100%
  • Employment Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 100%
  • First Time National PT Exam Pass Rate: 80%
  • Ultimate National PT Exam Pass Rate (as of January 2024): 96%
  • Employment Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 99%*
  • First Time National PT Exam Pass Rate: 83%*
  • Ultimate National PT Exam Pass Rate: 98%*
  • Employment Rate: 100%*

*calculated using Class of 2022 and 2023 data

The University of Jamestown College of Graduate and Professional Studies published a Graduate Placement Summary. The summary includes 2020 calendar year graduates from the Master of Arts in Leadership Program (MAL), Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Program (MEd), and Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT).

 

Why UJ?

  • Small class sizes help students engage with their professors and with each other.
  • Cost-effective, private education that is priced similarly to public schools.
  • Wide range of experiential learning opportunities allow students to practice techniques as part of their classroom experience.
  • Concepts taught in communication and leadership help facilitate students to become leaders in their clinics and profession.

Partnership with TNT

We have a partnership with TNT Kid’s Fitness to provide our students with experiential learning for children and adults with special needs.

100%

National PT Exam Pass Rate

This rate is calculated using Class of 2022 and Class of 2021 outcome data.

Pro-Bono Experience

You can work with the underserved starting as early as your first semester through our partnership with the pro-bono physical therapy clinic Family HealthCare.

Gain real-life experience.

We graduate physical therapists who are prepared to make a difference in our ever-changing healthcare system. This outcome is accomplished, in part, through experiential learning.

Evaluation and Treatment Techniques

Students learn a variety of evaluation and treatment techniques that can be used in a range of patients. Students start their education with a thorough examination of human anatomy, biomechanics, and basic evaluation skills. As students progress through the program, specialized content is taught.

Clinical Experiences

Four full-time clinical experiences are interspersed throughout the curriculum—one at the end of the first year of didactic education, two during the second year, and a final 12-week clinical experience. These experiences reinforce what students have learned in the classroom, as well as teach students how to apply their learnings clinically with their patients, under the supervision of licensed physical therapists serving as clinical instructors to the students.

Community Involvement

Community involvement, as well as leadership training, teaches students that being a healthcare provider is more than being a good physical therapist. It is about being an advocate for your patients, your community, and your profession. As such, students are required to participate in the following activities as part of their curriculum and clinical requirements:

  • A Pro-Bono Physical Therapy Clinic: Work with the underserved through Family HealthCare, starting as early as your first semester.
  • TNT Kid’s Fitness: We have a partnership with TNT Kid’s Fitness to provide hands on experiential learning with special needs children and adults. Physical activity provides opportunities for individuals of all abilities to unlock their potential.
  • Parkinson’s Class: Work with individuals with Parkinson’s disease to improve their function.
  • Community Service Volunteer Hours: 50 volunteer hours are required, with service to the program, the profession, and our community. We provide ways to help you find community organizations to volunteer with.

Hands-On Learning

Even when you’re in class, learning has a hands-on focus. Human anatomy courses utilize donors for an in-depth study of the human body.  Students design a program that benefits a community partner in our health and wellness course. And patients of all ages are brought into several different classes for evaluations and treatment.

Jimmie Voices

UJPT is a young, vibrant, evidence-based program that prepares students to provide high quality patient-centered care as physical therapist. The faculty are young, motivated, and enthusiastic about teaching and truly put the students’ needs first. UJ also teaches what is current in the literature and prepares students exceptionally well for the clinic.
Alumni Quote
From anonymous student surveys
My time in the UJPT program was an incredible experience. During my time there I built great relationships with classmates and faculty. I always felt like the faculty truly cared about every student and wanted each of us to be great young clinicians and individuals.
Alumni Quote
From anonymous student surveys
I think the education I received prepared me well for both clinical experiences and to take the NPTE. Regardless of the obstacles we faced individually or as a group, I always felt I had support from those in the program. I’m very grateful for all of the experiences I had while at UJPT and I’m going to miss being around my classmates and faculty.
Alumni Quote
From anonymous student surveys
I loved having clinical experiences throughout the 3 years rather than just at the end. It was a great way to break up coursework and kept me excited to learn more when returning to the classroom. I also appreciated the smaller class size for more one-on-one time with the professors.
Alumni Quote
From anonymous student surveys
UJPT does not seem to be a cookie-cutter PT program and rather one that truly listens to its students and is always looking for ways to improve…You develop a very close relationship with classmates and faculty which makes three years fly by.
Alumni Quote
From anonymous student surveys

Our Faculty

Physical Therapy faculty have an open-door policy that encourages students to seek guidance outside of class times for additional learning, discussions, and any additional student needs. We promote an environment of inclusivity of all students, faculty, and staff.

Benjamin Wolden, DPT

  • Director of the Clinical Certificate/Elective Track
  • Assistant Director of Clinical Education
  • Assistant Professor

Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid

Assistance is available