Clarke College

Programme overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Clarke prepares clinicians to improve patient form and function from early development through ageing and athletic performance. The program is CAPTE-accredited, admits a cohort of 33 students per year, and is delivered over a three-year curriculum totaling 127 credits. Clarke combines campus-based learning with a national clinical network of more than 500 clinics and organizations and reports a 100% ultimate pass rate on licensure exams since 2016 and a 100% job placement rate for licensed graduates.

What you'll study

Coursework balances anatomy, clinical skills, and applied practice. Students begin hands-on learning early, with access to medical-grade facilities and a cadaver lab (4:1 cadaver ratio) to study human structure. The programme includes 36 weeks of full-time clinical education distributed across the three-year programme and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. Faculty are licensed, practicing physical therapists who supervise applied learning and clinical education.

Entry requirements

Clarke provides multiple admission avenues: a High School route for students applying as true freshmen; a 3+3 option for Clarke undergraduates (and specified partner institutions) enabling completion of a bachelor and the DPT in six years; and a graduate applicant route for those who hold or are completing a bachelor’s degree. Application deadlines for the DPT graduate program are a Priority Deadline of September 15 (by 10:59 pm CT / 11:59 pm ET) and a Final Deadline of November 1 (by 10:59 pm CT / 11:59 pm ET). Applicants with observation hours still in progress should note that information in their application.

Career prospects

Graduates enter hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, sports medicine facilities, and private practice; Clarke highlights alumni success in those settings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual wage for physical therapists (not a Clarke-specific figure) is cited on the programme page, and national employment projections indicate continued growth in the profession. Clarke’s reported licensure pass and job placement outcomes reflect a pathway to clinical employment upon graduation and licensure.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Clarke indicates that 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid. The programme page references tuition, fees, financial aid resources, and a CAPTE financial fact sheet for detailed cost and funding information; applicants should consult those resources and the university’s financial aid office for specifics and scholarship opportunities.