Doctor of Physical Therapy

Clinical education is a core element of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Shenandoah University. From the second semester of the first year, students begin hands-on clinical experiences that continue throughout the program. SU PT students are mentored by leading clinicians across a wide range of practice areas, including both ambulatory and non-ambulatory care.

With a network of over 900 clinical affiliates, SU PT places students in local, regional, national, and international settings. Clinical partnerships include prestigious institutions such as The Shepherd Center, The Sheltering Arms Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Quantico, the U.S. Naval Academy, FX Under Armour, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.Students also have the opportunity to travel to international clinical sites in countries like Italy, Switzerland, and Australia, gaining valuable global experience.

In alignment with Shenandoah’s mission of service, SU PT continues to expand voluntary clinical service opportunities that benefit both students and the communities they serve. Opportunities include the following.

MOVE U! Adaptive Sports and Recreation

The mission of MOVE U! is to empower individuals with chronic movement limitations to participate in adaptive sports and recreation activities. By providing accessible, community-focused programs, we champion inclusion, foster physical and mental well-being, and build a supportive network where every person can thrive. SU PT students have the opportunity to volunteer with various activities that currently include Adaptive Soccer, Move to Music, an Adaptive Golf Clinic, and a Wheelchair Roll (in conjunction with Buzzy’s 5K Race for Research).

Global Experiential Learning Trips

These trips include periodic opportunities to travel to lesser-resourced settings. During these trips, students and faculty partner with local physical therapy educational programs and/or clinics to provide rehabilitation services and health education to medically underserved communities. Students and faculty also develop ongoing relationships and exchange education with local physical therapists and medical providers. These trips foster the development of culturally aware, globally minded physical therapists. Recent partnerships include clinics in Guatemala and Kenya.

Remote Area Medical Clinics 

Remote Area Medical – RAM® provides free dental, vision, and medical care through mobile pop-up clinics across the U.S. SU PT faculty periodically coordinate student groups to travel to RAM® weekend clinics in the state of Virginia, where we provide physical therapy evaluation and treatment to uninsured and underinsured individuals. These clinics also allow students to observe and interact with other volunteer health professionals and students.

Community Free Medical Clinics

Students may volunteer to assist SU PT faculty in providing physical therapy services at the Sinclair Health Clinic in Winchester and the Loudon Free Clinic in Leesburg.

Adventure Amputee Camp

The summer and winter adventure camps for children with amputations were founded by SU PT Professor Emeritus Dr. Missy Wolff-Burke and her husband, Bob Burke. The mission of the Adventure Amputee Camp is to encourage children with amputations or limb differences to stretch their potential and imagination, and explore all that is possible.

Therapeutic Riding

Both SU campuses are in the heart of horse country where there are numerous therapeutic riding programs with which students can volunteer.  These include Loudon Therapeutic Riding, Richmond Stables in Middletown, and Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Riding.

Winchester Rescue Mission

Winchester Rescue Mission provides high-quality care to individuals devastated by the effects of poverty and homelessness by offering healing from the past, help for the present, and hope for the future.  Health professions faculty and students periodically provide health screens, health education and discipline specific services for these individuals.

Muscular Dystrophy Camp

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Students may volunteer as summer camp counselors through the website.

Future Plans 

We hope to expand outreach within the United States and strengthen our international clinics. Whether we’re treating patients abroad or organizing efforts at home, there’s always room to get involved.

Join us—just be prepared: the experience may change your life.

Physical Therapy alumna Shannon Riek Davis ’03, ’04 knew there had to be a better way for her daughter to learn to walk. Davis used her knowledge of body mechanics and her experience constructing orthotics and wheelchair modifications to create the Little Balance Box! She was featured on The Today Show’s “Mompreneur” segment to celebrate International Women’s Day. Davis continues to strive to create accessible products for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as the CEO of Inspiration Physical Therapy Inc. and Inspire Create LLC in San Diego, California.

Leigh Celeste Roberts ’99, ’04 is a physical therapist at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland where she uses manual therapy and exercise to rehabilitate patients back to their prior level of function. “The SU education was vigorous, but instilled a commitment to professionalism. Physical therapy is a great profession. It has so many facets and patient populations that you have the opportunity to find and work with one that gets you excited.

You will have opportunities to network and expand your leadership skills through our professional organizations.

We are committed to advancement of the profession and have 100% student membership in the APTA.

Our academic focus is on student learning.

The curriculum consists of three years of coursework in both the classroom and clinical environments. The didactic curriculum consists of courses in the foundational and clinical sciences taken at the campus in Winchester. 

• skills to practice physical therapy
• skills to succeed in the emerging health care environment
• appreciation for being a good global citizen

You’ll have access to relevant, cutting edge technology and our Integrated Mobile Technology program, which connects students and teachers in versatile, dynamic communities of learners and provides creative linkages and connections throughout our academic and co-curricular environments.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting edge equipment, including a 3-D motion analysis system, Neurocom and diagnostic ultrasound.

Course Description

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

Admissions Requirements

Doctor of Physical Therapy Admissions Requirements

Our faculty mentors are available in and out of the classroom to guide you through the program.

Our accomplished and caring faculty serve as mentors beyond the classroom. As a team, they prepare you to serve as a compassionate physical therapist, critical thinker and ethical leader. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that enable faculty members to provide individualized attention and nurture your academic and professional development.

Shenandoah has such an active and supportive alumni network that is not present at any other university. I feel like I am a part of a huge family here at SU!”

Davina Lane ’24 | Doctor of Physical Therapy 

Meet The Physical Therapy Faculty

Applicants to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must have demonstrated success in academics and have a strong background in the sciences. Completion of the bachelor’s degree is required. A demonstration of well-developed problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills and commitment to service is necessary. Those applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program should be prepared to work closely with other students in the program, make contributions to the learning process of others and contribute to the enrichment of the curriculum and the profession.

Physical Therapy Application Information

Register for an Information Session

Virtual Physical Therapy Open House

Physical Therapy faculty and students answer your questions about the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program – everything from applying and class schedules to complementary fields of study and clinical education opportunities.

100 percent of our graduates have passed the licensure examination with first-time pass rates consistently above the national average (90 to 95 percent the past five years). See our NPTE Exam results.