Physical Therapy

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The physical therapy program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences was established in 1967, and was first accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association in 1970. The Department of Physical Therapy offers a six-year curriculum leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Acceptance into the program is on a competitive basis, with the major determinant being the basic science grade point average. At present, the physical therapy program accepts 52 students per year. Although it varies from year to year, we generally have approximately 200 applicants.

The Department of Physical Therapy has 11 faculty and three staff members. All of the faculty members are registered physical therapists with graduate training. Along with teaching responsibilities, faculty members are involved in a combination of clinical practice, service, and research activities. The Department of Physical Therapy contains student classrooms, a laboratory area, a research facility, as well as, study areas and a lounge for the students' use. The faculty are involved in research activities including motion analysis, electromyography, balance testing and training, muscle strengthening, ergonomics, electrical stimulation, functional outcomes, pediatric intervention, and physical therapy intervention efficacies. As part of the curriculum, students are given the opportunity to carry out their own research activities. At present, there are approximate 300 clinical sites, the majority of which lie outside the greater Grand Forks area.