Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program focuses on evidence-informed practice and patient-centered care, preparing physical therapists for practice across healthcare settings and the life span.
Empowering movement, enriching lives.
About the Program
The DPT program at SMU prepares graduates to excel as generalist physical therapists with a holistic approach to patient care, integrating foundational, applied, and social sciences. We emphasize clinical reasoning to prepare graduates for practice or residency upon graduation.
Service & Health Equity
We are committed to health equity and positively impacting our local community and those where our graduates live and work. Your learning experiences will allow you to partner with our faculty, who have clinical expertise and specializations in diverse clinical settings and with diverse patient populations.
Simulation-Based Learning
We offer a unique learning experience with realistic clinical simulations in our accredited Health Sciences Simulation Center. You’ll practice in various settings and have small group sessions to simulate patient encounters, improving your skills and confidence.
Applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are accepted using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Students are admitted just once per year in the fall term.
PTCAS applications will open for the Fall 2026 application cycle in July 2025. See https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.
The application deadline for Fall 2026 is 10/15/25, 8:59 pm (Pacific). Admissions decisions are released in January.
Applicants to the DPT program are considered for admission based upon the following criteria:
- Completion of baccalaureate degree and all prerequisites, from a regionally accredited institution, by the end of spring term before entry. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent 60 semester/90 quarter units (Last 60) as calculated by PTCAS. Cumulative GPA is no longer considered.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite courses as described below.
- Minimum of forty (40) hours of physical therapy observation hours are required. We do not give preference to those with more physical therapy observation/shadowing/volunteer experience.
- At least two letters of reference: one from a professor who can address your academic preparedness for a DPT program, and, preferably, one from a physical therapist who has supervised you in a clinical environment (inpatient or outpatient). You must submit at least two letters; a letter from a PT is recommended, but not required. You may submit up to five letters of your choosing. All letters will be reviewed. Letters of reference are submitted through PTCAS only; do not have letters mailed or emailed directly to SMU.
- Contents of writing samples/personal statements as described in the PTCAS application.
2024 PT Admitted Student Profile
Applicants: 328
Admitted: 151
Seats available: 50
Most recent 60 semester unit GPA (matriculated students):
Average = 3.60
Range = 3.07-3.98
Prerequisite GPA (matriculated students):
Average = 3.45
Range = 3.01-3.93
Age (matriculated students):
Average: 27
Range: 21-49
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 510.879.0334 or email dpt@samuelmerritt.edu.
SEQUENTIAL COURSE CURRICULUM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CLINICAL CURRICULUM
The DPT curriculum is a sequential curriculum in which students use knowledge from prior coursework to build further learning and expertise as they progress through the program. Our 32-month program includes 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences.
Our entry-level DPT program is designed around several important approaches to learning so that graduates excel in serving patients and clients as practitioners capable of autonomous decisions as part of a healthcare team. Courses progressively build critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and collaborative decision-making skills with increasingly complex patient scenarios. Closely integrated courses focus on learning the practice of physical therapy along with the basic sciences such as anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Pharmacology, imaging, and the medical management of patients occur in concert with clinical practice application and skills courses. Reflective of a holistic approach to practice, students learn to focus their attention on physical as well as psychological and sociocultural factors that impact individuals’ physical movement abilities, including social and structural determinants of health. Practice considerations for physical therapy services through the life span are interwoven in the patient/client management course series focused on patients with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary systems involvement and acute general medical conditions. Students contextualize their practice through the lens of the movement system, focusing on evidence-informed, contemporary practice to assess and design plans of care focused on improving movement dysfunction There are additional, specific courses with content addressing the unique needs of other patient populations commonly served by physical therapists including pediatrics, geriatrics, and patients with amputations, wounds, and pelvic health concerns. Students have integrated simulated and real clinical experiences throughout the program under the mentorship of faculty and community-based physical therapists. During these experiences, students work with patients who have conditions similar to those covered in the classroom, so that classroom learning is immediately reinforced with clinical experience, ensuring students are well prepared for each clinical placement. Students also provide free services to underserved community members under faculty supervision during multiple on-campus labs and through a series of three pro bono courses. The importance of communication and the relationship between the physical therapist and patients in a culturally diverse environment, including the multiple roles of physical therapists in the healthcare system, are also addressed throughout the program. Students finish the program by completing a longer terminal clinical experience, enabling them to graduate as skilled and confident physical therapist contributors to the healthcare teams they join as they begin their careers.
Clinical Education
The clinical education portion of the DPT curriculum prepares students for practice in a variety of clinical settings. Clinical placements include locations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and some out-of-state locations. Clinical experiences are sequenced so students are placed clinical sites that match the type of patient populations and practice settings they have just learned about in the classroom. This timing optimizes the opportunities for application of material learned in the classroom to real patients in the clinic.
The total cost of attending the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University is described in the DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet 2024. The costs are based on the tuition and fees for the program in 2024, and the debt data is for students who graduated in 2024.
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Samuel Merritt University does not charge an additional admission fee.
Application Fee = $170
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seat in the class. Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Tuition
For a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program, visit Student Accounts.
Academic Year: 2024-2025
Per Unit Rate = $1,498/unit
Program Units = 100.5 units
Total Tuition Estimate* = $150,500
*The total tuition estimate does not reflect potential future tuition rate increases.
Your graduate education at Samuel Merritt University is an investment in your future. Not only will you have the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in healthcare, but Samuel Merritt University graduates have a loan default rate of less than 1%. This means that students who borrowed to attend Samuel Merritt University have found employment in their chosen field that allows them to pay off their loans.
The Physical Therapy program is proud to offer a variety of ways to assist in funding your education including scholarships, work study and student loans. The first step in applying for financial aid at SMU is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Physical Therapy program offers scholarships and an assortment of resources for funding opportunities outside of the program. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need. A limited number are awarded for academic merit. Scholarships for physical therapy students include:
- Sharon Clark Diaz
- Employee Campaign
- Marshall Steele, Jr.
- Hitchcock Heydman
- Henry & Bernice Bigge
- Faculty Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
- Elks of the Year
- William Breslin
- David and Oolah Evans Scholarship
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) grants are available for students from certain geographical areas of the country. More information is available at www.wiche.edu.
In addition to the cost of tuition and fees, financial aid can also cover other indirect educational costs, including:
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by program/college
Your financial aid package at Samuel Merritt University is personalized to you. We develop your financial aid package using guidelines set by the Department of Education and the estimated costs of each program. Once you receive your financial aid package, check this budget against your actual living expenses, and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
We realize that the financial aid process can be difficult and overwhelming. We are here to help. Financial Aid staff can assist with budgeting, understanding your awards, and understanding the process. The SMU staff is committed to each and every prospective student and enrolled student. We have an open door policy and are available via email or phone at finaid@samuelmerritt.edu or 510-879-9200.
The mission of Samuel Merritt University is to produce highly skilled and compassionate doctors of physical therapy (DPTs). Candidates must develop a robust foundational and applied sciences knowledge and requisite clinical skills, at a level deemed satisfactory by the faculty. Candidates must demonstrate appropriate application of knowledge and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to person-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of clinical situations in all settings.
The DPT program has the responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates can become fully competent and caring physical therapists, capable of providing benefit and not doing harm. Therefore, the program is committed to admitting and graduating persons who demonstrate intelligence, integrity, compassion, humanitarian and social concern, and the physical and emotional capacity to adequately perform the duties of a physical therapist who embodies and enacts professionalism in all interactions.
The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the DPT program as well as current DPT students who are candidates for retention, promotion, and graduation.
These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations, the cost of which will be borne by the institution. These standards should not serve as a deterrent to any candidate with disabilities who desires to pursue education to become a doctor of physical therapy. Candidates with disabilities bring unique perspectives that contribute to the diversity of the candidate population and will create a diverse healthcare workforce of culturally competent practitioners who can meet the needs of their patients and clients.
Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center immediately to begin a confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards. Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from the DPT program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements or essential functions of any specific clinical position.
Observational and Situational Awareness Skills
The candidate must demonstrate situational awareness, which includes the ability to perceive informational and environmental cues in real-time in order to work safely and effectively within the environment of care and assess the condition of the patient/client and changes in that condition. One major component of the practice of physical therapy is the assessment and management of movement disorders. Therefore, the candidate must have the ability to perceive movement patterns and identify abnormalities in movement.
A candidate must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and interactive learning experiences in foundational and applied sciences, and in courses where professional skills and abilities are taught. In addition, a candidate must be able to evaluate a patient or client and their environment accurately and assess relevant contextual cues. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through comprehensive assessment of patients/clients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patient/client data, and accurately evaluate patient/client conditions and responses.
Communication Skills
Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients and clients, including the ability to communicate effectively in English with all members of an interprofessional healthcare team, patients/clients, and their families in person and in writing. This information must be communicated effectively in a succinct yet comprehensive manner and in settings in which time available is limited. Candidates must be able to clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and non-verbal communication. Communication includes the candidate’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
Patient/Client Care Skills
The candidate must have the ability, within reasonable limits, to safely assist a patient/client in moving. The candidate must also have the ability to move both their body and the patient/client in three-dimensional space in order to perform tests, measures, and interventions. A candidate must be able to perform or direct diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions, including the interpretation of movement patterns and interventions to improve movement abilities.
Additionally, the candidate must be able to ensure the physical safety of a patient/client at all times. A candidate must be able to provide or direct general care and emergency treatment for patients/clients and respond appropriately in a timely manner to emergency situations. Candidates must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow standard precautions.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills
Candidates must be able to learn through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to: classroom instruction; laboratory instruction, including cadaver lab; small-group, team, and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. A candidate must effectively assimilate, understand, interpret, and apply complex information and data to the clinical reasoning required to function within the DPT program curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships of structures; effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in classroom, clinical, and community settings; learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team; synthesize information both in person and via remote technology; perceive and interpret causal relationships to make accurate, evidence-based conclusions; and formulate a hypothesis and investigate the potential answers and outcomes, integrate knowledge of psychosocial factors, and reach appropriate and accurate conclusions. A candidate must be able to find sources of information and knowledge, acquire knowledge through various modalities, and possess the ability to be a lifelong learner.
Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations
A candidate must be able to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients/clients, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients/clients, caregivers, and other healthcare team members. The skills required to do so include the ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, demonstrate resiliency, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical care of patients and clients.
Candidates must be able to understand the basis and content of ethical physical therapist practice and demonstrate the professionalism required in such practice. They must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, responsibility, and tolerance. Candidates also must demonstrate the ability to respect boundaries and care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status.
Candidates must understand, and function within, the legal and ethical dimensions of the practice of physical therapy, and maintain and display ethical and moral behavior commensurate with the role and responsibilities of a doctor of physical therapy in all interactions with patients/clients, faculty, staff, students, and the public. Candidates must preserve patient/client confidentiality and protect private information, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and policies.
Candidates must demonstrate the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in an unpredictable manner. Candidates must exhibit contextually appropriate interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide, accept, and apply feedback in a professional manner.
Engagement and motivation throughout the educational process are expected of all candidates. Candidates must perform effectively in the presence of rigorous intellectual and emotional demands inherent in the DPT program, including both academic and clinical components that occur within set time constraints and often concurrently. Candidates must maintain sufficient general good health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of themselves and all those with whom they interact in the academic and clinical settings.
Empowering movement, enriching lives.
About the Program
The DPT program at SMU prepares graduates to excel as generalist physical therapists with a holistic approach to patient care, integrating foundational, applied, and social sciences. We emphasize clinical reasoning to prepare graduates for practice or residency upon graduation.
Service & Health Equity
We are committed to health equity and positively impacting our local community and those where our graduates live and work. Your learning experiences will allow you to partner with our faculty, who have clinical expertise and specializations in diverse clinical settings and with diverse patient populations.
Simulation-Based Learning
We offer a unique learning experience with realistic clinical simulations in our accredited Health Sciences Simulation Center. You’ll practice in various settings and have small group sessions to simulate patient encounters, improving your skills and confidence.
Applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are accepted using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Students are admitted just once per year in the fall term.
PTCAS applications will open for the Fall 2026 application cycle in July 2025. See https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.
The application deadline for Fall 2026 is 10/15/25, 8:59 pm (Pacific). Admissions decisions are released in January.
Applicants to the DPT program are considered for admission based upon the following criteria:
- Completion of baccalaureate degree and all prerequisites, from a regionally accredited institution, by the end of spring term before entry. All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent 60 semester/90 quarter units (Last 60) as calculated by PTCAS. Cumulative GPA is no longer considered.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite courses as described below.
- Minimum of forty (40) hours of physical therapy observation hours are required. We do not give preference to those with more physical therapy observation/shadowing/volunteer experience.
- At least two letters of reference: one from a professor who can address your academic preparedness for a DPT program, and, preferably, one from a physical therapist who has supervised you in a clinical environment (inpatient or outpatient). You must submit at least two letters; a letter from a PT is recommended, but not required. You may submit up to five letters of your choosing. All letters will be reviewed. Letters of reference are submitted through PTCAS only; do not have letters mailed or emailed directly to SMU.
- Contents of writing samples/personal statements as described in the PTCAS application.
2024 PT Admitted Student Profile
Applicants: 328
Admitted: 151
Seats available: 50
Most recent 60 semester unit GPA (matriculated students):
Average = 3.60
Range = 3.07-3.98
Prerequisite GPA (matriculated students):
Average = 3.45
Range = 3.01-3.93
Age (matriculated students):
Average: 27
Range: 21-49
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 510.879.0334 or email dpt@samuelmerritt.edu.
SEQUENTIAL COURSE CURRICULUM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CLINICAL CURRICULUM
The DPT curriculum is a sequential curriculum in which students use knowledge from prior coursework to build further learning and expertise as they progress through the program. Our 32-month program includes 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences.
Our entry-level DPT program is designed around several important approaches to learning so that graduates excel in serving patients and clients as practitioners capable of autonomous decisions as part of a healthcare team. Courses progressively build critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and collaborative decision-making skills with increasingly complex patient scenarios. Closely integrated courses focus on learning the practice of physical therapy along with the basic sciences such as anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Pharmacology, imaging, and the medical management of patients occur in concert with clinical practice application and skills courses. Reflective of a holistic approach to practice, students learn to focus their attention on physical as well as psychological and sociocultural factors that impact individuals’ physical movement abilities, including social and structural determinants of health. Practice considerations for physical therapy services through the life span are interwoven in the patient/client management course series focused on patients with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary systems involvement and acute general medical conditions. Students contextualize their practice through the lens of the movement system, focusing on evidence-informed, contemporary practice to assess and design plans of care focused on improving movement dysfunction There are additional, specific courses with content addressing the unique needs of other patient populations commonly served by physical therapists including pediatrics, geriatrics, and patients with amputations, wounds, and pelvic health concerns. Students have integrated simulated and real clinical experiences throughout the program under the mentorship of faculty and community-based physical therapists. During these experiences, students work with patients who have conditions similar to those covered in the classroom, so that classroom learning is immediately reinforced with clinical experience, ensuring students are well prepared for each clinical placement. Students also provide free services to underserved community members under faculty supervision during multiple on-campus labs and through a series of three pro bono courses. The importance of communication and the relationship between the physical therapist and patients in a culturally diverse environment, including the multiple roles of physical therapists in the healthcare system, are also addressed throughout the program. Students finish the program by completing a longer terminal clinical experience, enabling them to graduate as skilled and confident physical therapist contributors to the healthcare teams they join as they begin their careers.
Clinical Education
The clinical education portion of the DPT curriculum prepares students for practice in a variety of clinical settings. Clinical placements include locations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, throughout California, and some out-of-state locations. Clinical experiences are sequenced so students are placed clinical sites that match the type of patient populations and practice settings they have just learned about in the classroom. This timing optimizes the opportunities for application of material learned in the classroom to real patients in the clinic.
The total cost of attending the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University is described in the DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet 2024. The costs are based on the tuition and fees for the program in 2024, and the debt data is for students who graduated in 2024.
Application Fees
Application fees are payable to the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Samuel Merritt University does not charge an additional admission fee.
Application Fee = $170
Non-Refundable Deposits and Fees
Students offered admission pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $350 to secure their seat in the class. Application fees and tuition deposits are non-refundable, whether or not the student withdraws in the first week of the term.
Tuition
For a detailed summary of annual tuition, all fees for the program, and a cost estimator for the entire program, visit Student Accounts.
Academic Year: 2024-2025
Per Unit Rate = $1,498/unit
Program Units = 100.5 units
Total Tuition Estimate* = $150,500
*The total tuition estimate does not reflect potential future tuition rate increases.
Your graduate education at Samuel Merritt University is an investment in your future. Not only will you have the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in healthcare, but Samuel Merritt University graduates have a loan default rate of less than 1%. This means that students who borrowed to attend Samuel Merritt University have found employment in their chosen field that allows them to pay off their loans.
The Physical Therapy program is proud to offer a variety of ways to assist in funding your education including scholarships, work study and student loans. The first step in applying for financial aid at SMU is to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Physical Therapy program offers scholarships and an assortment of resources for funding opportunities outside of the program. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need. A limited number are awarded for academic merit. Scholarships for physical therapy students include:
- Sharon Clark Diaz
- Employee Campaign
- Marshall Steele, Jr.
- Hitchcock Heydman
- Henry & Bernice Bigge
- Faculty Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
- Elks of the Year
- William Breslin
- David and Oolah Evans Scholarship
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) grants are available for students from certain geographical areas of the country. More information is available at www.wiche.edu.
In addition to the cost of tuition and fees, financial aid can also cover other indirect educational costs, including:
- Books and supplies
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by program/college
Your financial aid package at Samuel Merritt University is personalized to you. We develop your financial aid package using guidelines set by the Department of Education and the estimated costs of each program. Once you receive your financial aid package, check this budget against your actual living expenses, and we can make necessary adjustments to meet your needs.
Detailed information about financial aid, budgeting, total cost, and application processes is available using the button below.
We realize that the financial aid process can be difficult and overwhelming. We are here to help. Financial Aid staff can assist with budgeting, understanding your awards, and understanding the process. The SMU staff is committed to each and every prospective student and enrolled student. We have an open door policy and are available via email or phone at finaid@samuelmerritt.edu or 510-879-9200.
The mission of Samuel Merritt University is to produce highly skilled and compassionate doctors of physical therapy (DPTs). Candidates must develop a robust foundational and applied sciences knowledge and requisite clinical skills, at a level deemed satisfactory by the faculty. Candidates must demonstrate appropriate application of knowledge and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to person-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of clinical situations in all settings.
The DPT program has the responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates can become fully competent and caring physical therapists, capable of providing benefit and not doing harm. Therefore, the program is committed to admitting and graduating persons who demonstrate intelligence, integrity, compassion, humanitarian and social concern, and the physical and emotional capacity to adequately perform the duties of a physical therapist who embodies and enacts professionalism in all interactions.
The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the DPT program as well as current DPT students who are candidates for retention, promotion, and graduation.
These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations, the cost of which will be borne by the institution. These standards should not serve as a deterrent to any candidate with disabilities who desires to pursue education to become a doctor of physical therapy. Candidates with disabilities bring unique perspectives that contribute to the diversity of the candidate population and will create a diverse healthcare workforce of culturally competent practitioners who can meet the needs of their patients and clients.
Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center immediately to begin a confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards. Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from the DPT program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements or essential functions of any specific clinical position.
Observational and Situational Awareness Skills
The candidate must demonstrate situational awareness, which includes the ability to perceive informational and environmental cues in real-time in order to work safely and effectively within the environment of care and assess the condition of the patient/client and changes in that condition. One major component of the practice of physical therapy is the assessment and management of movement disorders. Therefore, the candidate must have the ability to perceive movement patterns and identify abnormalities in movement.
A candidate must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and interactive learning experiences in foundational and applied sciences, and in courses where professional skills and abilities are taught. In addition, a candidate must be able to evaluate a patient or client and their environment accurately and assess relevant contextual cues. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through comprehensive assessment of patients/clients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patient/client data, and accurately evaluate patient/client conditions and responses.
Communication Skills
Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients and clients, including the ability to communicate effectively in English with all members of an interprofessional healthcare team, patients/clients, and their families in person and in writing. This information must be communicated effectively in a succinct yet comprehensive manner and in settings in which time available is limited. Candidates must be able to clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and non-verbal communication. Communication includes the candidate’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
Patient/Client Care Skills
The candidate must have the ability, within reasonable limits, to safely assist a patient/client in moving. The candidate must also have the ability to move both their body and the patient/client in three-dimensional space in order to perform tests, measures, and interventions. A candidate must be able to perform or direct diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions, including the interpretation of movement patterns and interventions to improve movement abilities.
Additionally, the candidate must be able to ensure the physical safety of a patient/client at all times. A candidate must be able to provide or direct general care and emergency treatment for patients/clients and respond appropriately in a timely manner to emergency situations. Candidates must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow standard precautions.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills
Candidates must be able to learn through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to: classroom instruction; laboratory instruction, including cadaver lab; small-group, team, and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. A candidate must effectively assimilate, understand, interpret, and apply complex information and data to the clinical reasoning required to function within the DPT program curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships of structures; effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in classroom, clinical, and community settings; learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team; synthesize information both in person and via remote technology; perceive and interpret causal relationships to make accurate, evidence-based conclusions; and formulate a hypothesis and investigate the potential answers and outcomes, integrate knowledge of psychosocial factors, and reach appropriate and accurate conclusions. A candidate must be able to find sources of information and knowledge, acquire knowledge through various modalities, and possess the ability to be a lifelong learner.
Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations
A candidate must be able to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients/clients, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients/clients, caregivers, and other healthcare team members. The skills required to do so include the ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, demonstrate resiliency, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical care of patients and clients.
Candidates must be able to understand the basis and content of ethical physical therapist practice and demonstrate the professionalism required in such practice. They must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, responsibility, and tolerance. Candidates also must demonstrate the ability to respect boundaries and care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status.
Candidates must understand, and function within, the legal and ethical dimensions of the practice of physical therapy, and maintain and display ethical and moral behavior commensurate with the role and responsibilities of a doctor of physical therapy in all interactions with patients/clients, faculty, staff, students, and the public. Candidates must preserve patient/client confidentiality and protect private information, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and policies.
Candidates must demonstrate the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in an unpredictable manner. Candidates must exhibit contextually appropriate interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide, accept, and apply feedback in a professional manner.
Engagement and motivation throughout the educational process are expected of all candidates. Candidates must perform effectively in the presence of rigorous intellectual and emotional demands inherent in the DPT program, including both academic and clinical components that occur within set time constraints and often concurrently. Candidates must maintain sufficient general good health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of themselves and all those with whom they interact in the academic and clinical settings.
Featured Events
Additional Information
The DPT program at SMU is a rigorous doctoral degree program and the prerequisite work is designed to prepare you for the academic rigor of our program.
- In most instances, science courses that are designated as Introduction, Introductory, Principles, Conceptual, Fundamentals, Elementary, etc., will not meet the prerequisites of General Biology, General Physics, and General Chemistry.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher by the end of the spring semester or spring quarter prior to the fall start of the program. Prerequisites may not be completed in the summer term just prior to the fall start.
- Degree and all prerequisite courses must be completed from a regionally accredited college/university.
- Online and hybrid courses are acceptable as long as the college/university is regionally accredited, and the course content is acceptable to meet the specific prerequisite.
SMU DPT Required Prerequisites:
General Psychology
Unit requirement: 3 semester units or 4 quarter units
General Psychology or Introduction to Psychology is required; this course must come from a Psychology department. There are no substitution courses for this prerequisite. A score of 3, 4 or 5 on an AP General Psychology exam will meet this prerequisite.
Acceptable courses:
Psychology: General
Psychology: General I
Statistics
Unit requirement: 3 semester units or 4 quarter units
A Probability and Statistics course is required. Statistics most often will be taught in a Math or Statistics department. Biostatistics is also acceptable. In some cases, a Statistics course may also be taken in either a Kinesiology or Psychology department. A score of 3, 4 or 5 on an AP Statistics exam will meet this prerequisite. There are no substitute courses for Statistics.
Acceptable courses:
Biology: Biostatistics
Business: Statistics
Mathematics: Statistics
Psychology: Statistics
General Biology I, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units.
General Biology I, lecture and lab and General Biology II, lecture and lab are required. Series classes are preferred: For example, Bio 1A, General Biology I lecture and lab followed by Bio 1B, General Biology II lecture and lab. Introductory, Introduction to, Fundamentals, Principles or any other beginning level Biology courses will not be accepted. Course must be taught in the biology department and intended for science majors. There is no substitute course for the required General Biology I, lecture and lab course.
Acceptable courses:
Biology: General, lecture and lab
Biology: General I, lecture and lab
General Biology II, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
This prerequisite is met with the second half of a General Biology series. For example, Bio 1A, General Biology I lecture and lab followed by Bio 1B, General Biology II lecture and lab. All courses taken to meet the General Biology II prerequisite must be intended for science majors; classes titled "Introductory, Introduction to, Elementary, Functional or Conceptual" will not meet this prerequisite.
Select other Biology courses may meet the Biology II prerequisite. Examples: General Biology II, Microbiology, Genetics, Advanced or Honors Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, etc. All courses must have labs.
Acceptable courses (all with labs):
Biology: Advanced
Biology: Cell
Biology: Embryology
Biology: General II
Biology: Genetics
Biology: Histology
Biology: Immunology
Biology: Microbiology
Biology: Molecular
Biology: Zoology
General Physics I, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
General Physics I, lecture and lab and General Physics II, lecture and lab are required; all courses must be taught in the Physics department and intended for science majors. Introductory, Introduction to, Fundamentals, Principles or any other beginning level Physics course will not be accepted. The Physics course does not need to be calculus based. There are no substitution courses for this prerequisite.
Acceptable courses:
General Physics I, lecture and lab
Physics I, lecture and lab
General Physics II, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
General Physics I, lecture and lab and General Physics II, lecture and lab are required; all courses must be taught in the Physics department and intended for science majors. Introductory, Introduction to, Fundamentals, Principles or any other beginning level Physics course will not be accepted. The Physics course does not need to be calculus based. There are no substitution courses for this prerequisite.
Acceptable courses:
General Physics II, lecture and lab
Physics II, lecture and lab
General Chemistry I, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
General Chemistry I, lecture and lab is required. Introductory, Introduction to, Fundamentals, Principles or any other beginning level Chemistry course will not be accepted. There are no substitution courses for this prerequisite.
Acceptable courses:
General Chemistry I, lecture and lab
General Chemistry II, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
General Chemistry II, lecture and lab is required. An advanced Organic Chemistry II with lab course may substitute for General Chemistry II. Introductory, Introduction to, Fundamentals, Principles, Brief Courses, or any other beginning level Organic Chemistry course will not be accepted. There are no other substitution courses for this prerequisite.
Acceptable courses:
General Chemistry II, lecture and lab
Organic Chemistry II, lecture/lab (Advanced course)
Human Anatomy, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
Human Anatomy & Human Physiology may be completed as a combined series (full year), with labs. Or may be completed as a stand-alone Anatomy with lab plus a stand-alone Physiology with lab. Only courses that are human based are acceptable. The Anatomy and Physiology prerequisites must be completed within the past 10 years.
Acceptable courses (all with labs):
A&P: COMBINED Course (eg. A&P)
A&P: Human
A&P: SEPARATE courses
Human Physiology, lecture and lab
Unit requirement: 4 semester units or 6 quarter units
Human Anatomy & Human Physiology may be completed as a combined series (full year), with labs. Or may be completed as a stand-alone Anatomy with lab plus a stand-alone Physiology with lab. Only courses that are human based are acceptable. The Anatomy and Physiology prerequisites must be completed within the past 10 years.
Acceptable courses (all with labs):
A&P: COMBINED Course (eg. A&P)
A&P: Human
A&P: Physiology
A&P: SEPARATE courses
Samuel Merritt University offers prerequisite coursework in Human Anatomy & Human Physiology. The courses are taught in the fall, spring, and summer terms and are designed for prospective students. More information can be found on the Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses website.
GPA Calculation and Course Repeat Policy
Last 60/90 GPA
A minimum 3.0 GPA is required in the most recent 60 semester/90 quarter units as calculated by PTCAS. Cumulative GPA is no longer considered.
Prerequisite GPA
Courses satisfying a prerequisite requirement may be repeated once if the initial grade earned is a C+ or below. If a prerequisite course is repeated, the new grade will be used in the prerequisite GPA calculation if available at the time of application.
Holistic Admission Approach
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is committed to a holistic admission approach and does not conduct interviews as part of its admission process. Not holding interviews provides the faculty with an opportunity to perform a thorough, holistic review of all applications meeting the minimum requirements. To make this possible, the faculty has designed a number of school-specific essay questions to help us get an understanding of each applicant as an individual.
We feel this benefits all applicants. Rather than focusing on the top applicants in terms of GPA and/or GRE scores, we are able to consider the entire qualified applicant pool based upon a holistic review of both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Applicants who might have otherwise not been selected for an interview, and thereby not considered for the program, are now fully considered for admission to the university.
However, we want to make sure prospective students have an opportunity to visit the campus, meet the faculty, and interact with our current students. To provide these opportunities in a structured format, SMU offers Interactive Information Sessions throughout the year. See more information about Interactive Information Sessions.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
Beginning with 2019 applications, GRE scores are no longer an admission requirement for Samuel Merritt University’s DPT program.
Students Educated Outside of the United States
International Transcripts
All foreign academic transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org) and should be sent to PTCAS along with any U.S. transcripts. For more information, please see the PTCAS Foreign Transcript Instructions.
Scores on the TOEFL
The need for TOEFL will be assessed based on information provided by applicants on the application for admission; if required, a score of 100 must be achieved and official score results must be provided.
Samuel Merritt University allows applicants to take classes online provided the courses are from a regionally accredited institution like the institutions listed below. The regional accreditation board for California schools is the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Please verify accreditation with the institution prior to signing up for classes, as credit will not be granted from non-accredited schools.
California Virtual Campus: Online database of California College and University online/telecourse offerings. Search by subject or school name.
Course Atlas
California State University
University of California Extension Programs
Southern University of Health Sciences
- General Chemistry I & II
- General Biology I & II
- Physics I&II
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Microbiology
- Anatomy Statistics
- Medical Chemistry I and II (Inorganic Chemistry)
- Microbiology
- Organic Chemistry I and/or II
- Anatomy
- Medical Physiology
- Statistics
- BIOL 1001/102 Biology
- ENGL 1001 English Composition I
- PSYC 2000 Introduction to Psychology
- ANTH 1003 Cultural Anthropology
- CMST 2010 Interpersonal Communication
- ENGL 1001, 1002 English Composition I, II
- SOCIO 2001 Introduction to Sociology
- PSYC 2070 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 3082 Abnormal Psychology
- Intro to Statistics xB2 or xBW2(online)
- General Chemistry I/Lab x19A and x19.1B
- General Chemistry II/Lab x19B and x19.1B
- General Human Anatomy x104 & Human Anatomy Lab x108
- Introduction to Physiology xB32 or xBW32 & Physiology Lab x406.1 (online)
- Introduction to Medical Microbiology x111 Microbiology Lab x491.1
- BMS 300 Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)
- BMS 320 Virtual Laboratory in Physiology (2 cr.)
- BMS 310 Anatomy for the Health Professions (4 cr.)
- MIP 300 General Microbiology (3 cr.)
- STAT 311 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences I (3 cr.)
Challenge/College Level Examination Resources
The following DPT prerequisites may be met by taking a Challenge Exam:
General Psychology
Administered by CLEP; see: https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exams/introductory-psychology
*Minimum score required: 50
Statistics
Administered by DSST; see:https://getcollegecredit.com/exam/principles-of-statistics/
*Minimum score required: 400
*Subject to change
The Department of Physical Therapy serves students, the public, the profession, and the University by educating highly skilled and compassionate doctors of physical therapy. Our graduates provide patient-centered care using evidence-informed practice to transform society and the experience of care in diverse communities. We are dedicated to advancing the profession through a commitment to lifelong learning, critically reflective practice, scholarship, service, and socially responsible action on behalf of patients, the public, and the profession.
Samuel Merritt University DPT graduates are prepared to:
- Competently provide physical therapy for individuals with movement dysfunction across the life span in the most common practice settings.
- Use sound clinical reasoning to guide physical therapist practice, integrating best available evidence from the literature, clinical experience, and patient/client’s perspectives and values.
- Provide person-centered physical therapy with compassion, caring, and humility.
- Integrate an understanding of structural and social determinants of health into their physical therapist practice.
- Engage in critical reflection to learn from practice to improve quality of care.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively as members of interprofessional teams.
- Engage in disease prevention, health promotion, and wellness services for the care of self, individuals, and groups.
- Actively engage in the profession of physical therapy through participation in professional associations, service to the community, and advocacy for the health needs of individuals and society.
- Act responsibly with sound reasoning, integrity, and courage to achieve just resolution of ethical problems that affect individuals, organizations, and society.
- Exhibit continuous professional development in behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics consistent with excellence in practice.
- Effectively use data, information, and technology to support decision-making as physical therapists working in complex systems.
At SMU, you will join a program and an interprofessional health sciences community made up of a diverse student body and faculty, all dedicated to transforming the experience of health and healthcare for diverse populations. You will have multiple opportunities for hands-on, active learning during the classroom portions of the curriculum. These innovative learning experiences occur early and often, building on your strengths and challenging your growth as you study to become a physical therapist.
Simulation-Based Learning
High integration of simulated and standardized patient immersive active learning experiences are strategically placed throughout our curriculum, starting early and continuing often, in order to situate learning in realistic clinical scenarios prior to full-time clinical education experiences. The DPT program uses SMU’s accredited Health Sciences Simulation Center (HSSC) for many of these hands-on learning opportunities. Students have lab sessions in the HSSC training rooms to gain familiarity with hospital-based equipment such as hospital beds, gurneys, and patient lines/tubes that are common in hospital, emergency department, and critical care settings. Students have simulated or standardized patient interactions, where actors realistically portray patients, in every term of our program. Additionally, we use the HSSC for high-fidelity simulation experiences with simulation manikins, where students simulate work with critically ill patients and practice other hands-on skills. In small groups, students practice patient encounters in a realistic manner, review their interactions via live and recorded video/audio, and debrief on the experience with faculty and student observers to learn from their successes and mistakes. Explore SMU’s Health Sciences Simulation Center in more depth.
Community Participant Labs
Opportunities for student learning enhancement through work with community members who have diagnosed neurologic conditions or symptomatic orthopedic conditions occur in multiple courses through the curriculum. Contribute to our community’s health as part of your course work. Learn more about Community Participant Labs at SMU.
Pro Bono Experiences
Our Pro Bono Experience course series provides students with the opportunity to work collaboratively with peers and faculty to provide pro bono services to underserved members of the local community. These courses are scheduled in each year of the curriculum. They provide students with supervised practice in applying and refining what they have learned in their academic courses before they go out on their full-time clinical experiences. Explore our Pro Bono Experiences in the SMU DPT program.
Advanced Technology
At SMU, you will gain experience with electronic health records throughout the program while in the classroom setting to review simulated patient records, document patient interactions, or when exploring cases. Experience cutting-edge AI interfaces for remote therapeutic monitoring and clinician decision support with faculty engaged in this technology's development. Students explore using real-time ultrasound technology to better visualize human anatomy and physiology in action in multiple courses to enhance their learning and understanding of human movement. Our students also get a deeper look at human motion at SMU’s Motion Analysis Research Center (MARC). Here, as part of their biomechanics courses, students use high-tech equipment to test, observe, and measure various aspects of gait, movement, and balance. Discover all the MARC has to offer students and their learning.
Patient/Client Management Course Series
Students are immersed in the multiple patient populations and practice settings unique to physical therapist practice throughout the curriculum in this course series. This includes specific courses related to body systems (musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary), life span (pediatrics course and geriatric threading through multiple courses), and special topics (including wounds, burns, prosthetics/amputation, and pelvic health). A unique Complexity in Care course uses simulation-based learning experiences to address management of complex situations and conditions in a variety of practice settings. Learning is focused on developing proficiency in observation, psychomotor, and clinical reasoning used in practice. Integration of current research into decision-making, along with understanding a patient’s unique biopsychosocial lived experience, results in evidence-informed practice. Each trimester’s Patient/Client Management courses build upon each other, while learning in one course is reinforced in other courses.
Volunteer Opportunities
Not all learning happens in the classroom. Our students are active on campus and in the community. From on-campus clubs to involvement with the Global PT Day of Service, to professional activities of the California Physical Therapy Association, California Student Special Interest Group, and the American Physical Therapy Association's PT Moves Me campaign, SMU’s DPT students are engaged both locally and nationally.
At SMU and in the Department of Physical Therapy, we believe in educating the next generation of rehabilitation professionals committed to working towards health equity. Having a student body that resembles our local community and can work with patients from diverse backgrounds is important to us. Our DPT program enrolls students who contribute to the growth in diversity of physical therapists in the U.S.
Enrolled DPT students
Black/African American
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 6.0%
’23-’24 8.9% 5.77%
’22-’23 5.7%
Hispanic/Latinx
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 24.0%
’23-’24 23.4% 9.30%
’22-’23 31.2%
Asian
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 34.0%
’23-’24 31.2% 10.37%
’22-’23 45.4%
Native/Indigenous
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 2.0%
’23-’24 0.7% 0.82%
’22-’23 0.7%
Two or More Races
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 12.0%
’23-’24 10.5% 4.86%
’22-’23 5.7%
White
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 20.0%
’23-’24 23.4% 68.14%
’22-’23 9.2%
Unknown
SMU DPT Nat. Avg. ’23-’24*
'24-'25 2.0%
’23-’24 1.9% 1.95%
’22-’23 2.1%
* Most recent aggregate DPT program data for percentage of students enrolled in programs by race/ethnicity. Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education report, January 2024. Accessible at www.capteonline.org/faculty-and-program-resources/data-and-research/aggregate-program-data
Samuel Merritt University and the DPT program have missions and outcomes aimed to support a diverse communities, here on campus and in healthcare in general. Learn more about our university commitment to health equity.
Graduation, Employment & Licensure Rates
Graduation Rate
Average Rate of Most Recent Two Years 97.8%
Class of 2024 100%
Class of 2023 95.6%
Class of 2022 100%
Graduation rate is the percentage of students admitted to the DPT program who complete the program within 150 percent of program length as defined by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Employment Rate
Average Rate of Most Recent Two Years 100%
Class of 2023 100%
Class of 2022 100%
Class of 2021 100%
Employment rate is the percentage of graduates who sought employment and were employed in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) within 1 year of graduation as defined by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) Pass Rates
First Time Pass Rate
Average Rate of the Most Recent Two Years: 81.1%
First Time Pass Rate (National Average)
Class of 2024 79.1% (85.7%)
Class of 2023 82.2% (84.9%)
Class of 2022 80.0% (84.8%)
Ultimate Pass Rate
Average Rate of the Most Recent Two Years: 97.78%
Ultimate Pass Rate (National Average)
Class of 2024 93.0% (93.4%)
Class of 2023 97.8% (98.2%)
Class of 2022 97.8% (98.8%)
From the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, Samuel Merritt University, Basic Pass Rate Report, 2/10/2025.
The mission of Samuel Merritt University is to produce highly skilled and compassionate Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT). Candidates must develop a robust foundational and applied sciences knowledge and requisite clinical skills, at a level deemed satisfactory by the faculty. Candidates must demonstrate appropriate application of knowledge and skills, effectively interpret information, and contribute to person-centered decisions across a broad spectrum of clinical situations in all settings.
Candidates with disabilities bring unique perspectives that contribute to the diversity of the candidate population and will create a diverse health care workforce of culturally competent practitioners who can meet the needs of their patients and clients. These requirements may be achieved with or without reasonable accommodations, the cost of which will be borne by the institution. These standards should not serve as a deterrent to any candidate with disabilities who desires to pursue education to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We welcome and value candidates with disabilities, and strive to ensure they feel supported, understood, and safe.
Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center immediately to begin a confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards and support learning. Fulfillment of the technical standards for graduation from the DPT program does not guarantee that a graduate will be able to fulfill the technical requirements or essential functions of any specific clinical position.
The DPT program has the responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates can become fully competent and caring physical therapists, capable of providing benefit and not doing harm. Therefore, the program is committed to admitting and graduating persons who demonstrate intelligence, integrity, compassion, humanitarian and social concern, and physical and emotional capacity adequately to perform the duties of a physical therapist who embodies and enacts professionalism in all interactions.
The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. The term “candidate” refers to candidates for admission to the DPT program as well as current DPT students who are candidates for retention, promotion, and graduation.
Observational and Situational Awareness Skills
The candidate must demonstrate situational awareness, which includes the ability to perceive informational and environmental cues in real-time in order to work safely and effectively within the environment of care and assess the condition of the patient/client and changes in that condition. One major component of the practice of physical therapy is the assessment and management of movement disorders. Therefore, the candidate must have the ability to perceive movement patterns and identify abnormalities in movement.
A candidate must acquire information as presented through demonstrations and interactive learning experiences in foundational and applied sciences, and in courses where professional skills and abilities are taught. In addition, a candidate must be able to evaluate a patient or client and their environment accurately and assess relevant contextual cues. Candidates must be able to obtain and interpret information through comprehensive assessment of patients/clients, correctly interpret diagnostic representations of patient/client data, and accurately evaluate patient/client conditions and responses.
Communication Skills
Candidates must exhibit interpersonal skills to enable effective caregiving of patients and clients, including the ability to communicate effectively in English with all members of interprofessional healthcare teams, patients/clients, and their families in person and in writing. This information must be communicated effectively in a succinct yet comprehensive manner and in settings in which time available is limited. Candidates must be able to clearly and accurately record information and accurately interpret verbal and non-verbal communication. Communication includes the candidate’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.
Patient/Client Care Skills
The candidate must have the ability, within reasonable limits, to safely assist a patient/client in moving. The candidate must also have the ability to move both their body and the patient/client in three-dimensional space in order to perform tests, measures, and interventions. A candidate must be able to perform or direct diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions, including the interpretation of movement patterns and interventions to improve movement abilities.
Additionally, the candidate must be able to ensure the physical safety of a patient/client at all times. A candidate must be able to provide or direct general care and emergency treatment for patients/clients and respond appropriately in a timely manner to emergency situations. Candidates must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow standard precautions.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Cognitive Skills
Candidates must be able to learn through a variety of modalities, including but not limited to: classroom instruction; laboratory instruction, including cadaver lab; small-group, team, and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports; and use of computer technology. A candidate must effectively assimilate, understand, interpret and apply complex information and data to the clinical reasoning required to function within the DPT program curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to: comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships of structures; effectively participate in individual, small-group, and lecture learning modalities in classroom, clinical, and community settings; learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as a part of a team; synthesize information both in person and via remote technology; perceive and interpret causal relationships to make accurate, evidence-based conclusions; and formulate a hypothesis and investigate the potential answers and outcomes, integrate knowledge of psychosocial factors, and reach appropriate and accurate conclusions. A candidate must be able to find sources of information and knowledge, acquire knowledge through various modalities, and possess the ability to be a lifelong learner.
Behavioral Attributes, Social Skills, and Professional Expectations
A candidate must be able to exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients/clients, and develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients/clients and caregivers, and other healthcare team members. The skills required to do so include the ability to effectively handle and manage heavy workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, demonstrate resiliency, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical care of patients and clients.
Candidates must be able to understand the basis and content of ethical physical therapist practice and demonstrate the professionalism required in such practice. They must possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, responsibility, and tolerance. Candidates also must demonstrate the ability to respect boundaries and care for all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status.
Candidates must understand, and function within, the legal and ethical dimensions of the practice of physical therapy, and maintain and display ethical behavior commensurate with the role and responsibilities of a doctor of physical therapy in all interactions with patients/clients, faculty, staff, students, and the public. Candidates must preserve patient/client confidentiality and protect private information, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and policies.
Candidates must demonstrate the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in an unpredictable manner. Candidates must exhibit contextually appropriate interpersonal skills including the ability to provide, accept, and apply feedback in a professional manner.
Engagement and motivation throughout the educational process are expected of all candidates. Candidates must perform effectively in the presence of rigorous intellectual and emotional demands inherent in the DPT program, including both academic and clinical components that occur within set time constraints, and often concurrently. Candidates must maintain sufficient general good health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of themselves and all those with whom they interact in the academic and clinical settings.
Samuel Merritt University has partnered with local Bay Area properties to offer students affordable housing close to the SMU Oakland campus.
This collaboration provides our students with unique opportunities to enjoy premium accommodations at reduced rates, making their experience in the Bay Area even more rewarding.
To explore the available options and find your perfect fit, contact property manager Dominick Lundberg dlundberg@twobliving.com.
DPT Success
SMU is on the forefront of preparing you for an exciting and rewarding career as a physical therapist.
100%
Job Placement
Graduates who found jobs within one year.
98% Graduation Rate
Our personalized education helps ensure that our students graduate on time and are well prepared to start their careers.
$114,230
Average Annual Salary in California
Our graduates help patients improve health outcomes while making a competitive salary.
Our doctor of physical therapy students get considerable hands-on and community-based experience during their time on campus.
Faculty
Our faculty focus on helping students achieve their goals of becoming the best physical therapists they can be, providing the best possible care to their future patients. At SMU, the DPT faculty-to-student ratio average is 1:11, below the national average, allowing students high engagement with expert faculty.
Our faculty are nationally recognized experts in specialty clinical practice areas such as orthopedics, geriatrics, neurology, pediatrics, wound care, sports, and acute care, and include experts in simulation education and educational leadership, including best practices in teaching/learning of graduate health professions students. Our adjunct faculty come to campus from the clinic or hospital to teach our students in classes that relate to their areas of practice, bringing expertise and real-world scenarios to the classroom.
Sharon Gorman
PT, DPTSc Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist Fellow, National Academies of Practice Professor
SMU Perspectives
