Physical Therapy class taking SOHS arm blood pressure

Become a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists work with individuals who are recovering from an illness, injury, or other physical limitations. With a doctorate in Physical Therapy, you’ll help patients to build their physical ability and mobility and to improve their quality of life.

Tuition & Fees

115 credits

$1,015 per-credit

$4,045 Graduate Assistantships available per semester
(enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester)

Length & Format

3 years
to graduate

In-person
program delivery
Our DPT program is a full-time program. Students complete their doctorate in Physical Therapy in nine semesters, including summers.

About The School of Health Sciences

Russell Sage College is the region’s premier institution for health professions, offering the most comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Explore the School of Health Sciences
Apply Now

Practice in State-of-the-Art Facilities

Hone your skills in our new Occupational and Physical Therapy lab spaces, which opened in the John Paine Building in fall 2024. The renovation included a new pediatric lab, adult rehabilitation lab, upper extremity lab, and seminar and study rooms.

Clinical setting therapy pediatric space
Clinical setting therapy pediatric space
Clinical setting therapy pediatric space: pediatric swing, toys, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting therapy pediatric space: pediatric swing, toys, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting therapy pediatric space: toys, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting therapy pediatric space: toys, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting therapy and exercise space: parallel bars, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting therapy and exercise space: parallel bars, mats and exercise equipment
Clinical setting apartment space: living area
Clinical setting apartment space: living area
Clinical setting apartment space: bedroom area
Clinical setting apartment space: bedroom area
Clinical setting apartment space: bathroom area
Clinical setting apartment space: bathroom area
Clinical setting apartment space: functional kitchen
Clinical setting apartment space: functional kitchen
Clinical setting apartment space: functional kitchen area
Clinical setting apartment space: functional kitchen area
Clinical setting apartment space: laundry area
Clinical setting apartment space: laundry area
Student study areas: community space for practicing skills
Student study areas: community space for practicing skills
Student study areas: extremity lab space
Student study areas: community space for practicing skills
Student study areas: community space for presentation and practice
Student study areas: community space for presentation and practice
Student study areas: extremity lab
Student study areas: extremity lab with functional equipment for practice and building skills
Student Study Areas - Community Space
Student Study Areas – Community Space

Specialties in our DPT program

Find all of these program distinctions at an institution recognized for its Health Sciences programs, giving you lots of interaction with other health care fields, which you will ultimately engage with as a professional who make a difference in your community.

Our DPT program tuition is one of the most affordable in New York state.

There is real camaraderie among faculty and students, beginning your first day and extending through the extra support available as you prepare for the national licensing exam.

Our faculty members are practicing clinicians, and several have certifications in areas including strength and conditioning, orthopedics, functional movement, wound care, and pediatric disabilities.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Russell Sage College, you’ll learn in well-equipped physical therapy labs and a traditional anatomy lab — and work with real people with real medical issues in the community.

You will work with patients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists in three different settings, which may include hospitals, schools, skilled nursing facilities and private practices. Your responsibilities will progress over the course of one eight-week and two 12-week clinical experiences; by your third clinical experience, you will have responsibilities identical to those of an entry-level physical therapist. More than 365 sites host our Physical Therapy students for clinical experiences.

  • Career-focused: We provide a careful sequence of clinical placements based on employer feedback, so you’re prepared to shine during your graduate studies and when it’s time to secure a job. And we take a generalist approach to the curriculum to give graduates the most flexibility in their careers.
  • Program Longevity: The Physical Therapy program at Russell Sage recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, so we have a long list of graduates for networking. Russell Sage’s strength in the health professions means you’ll interact as a student with the same fields you’ll encounter as a professional, giving you valuable experience.
  • Enriched Learning: The program values hands-on and enriched learning opportunities whenever possible, including using cadavers to provide students with an amazing opportunity to connect didactic content with an exploration of the human body through a full human body dissection during their first summer in the program.

Easily Apply

Apply after the PTCAS opens on June 15, and start in the summer.

DPT Application Instructions:

  • Students with a bachelor’s degree, who meet the admission requirements for a DPT program, should apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.
  • Thorough completion of the PTCAS application, including your biographical information, work history, and extracurricular activities
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Two letters of recommendation (one must be an academic reference)
  • A one- to two-page career goals essay
  • Documentation of at least 40 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist
  • Program Prerequisite Form
Apply Now

Course Requirements

Credits and Completion

Our doctorate in physical therapy program requires 115 credits and can be completed full time in approximately three years. View the course sequence details in our program catalog.

View 2024-2025 Program Catalog

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Russell Sage College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) · 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100 · Alexandria, VA 22305-3085 · phone: 703-706-3245 · email: [email protected] · website: www.capteonline.org

The program is also registered with the New York State Education Department · Education Building · Albany NY 12234 · 518-474-3852

If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 518-244-2449 or email [email protected].

Accreditation Information

Program Philosophy

  • The members of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program believe:
  • Faculty and students have a responsibility to make positive contributions to the professional community and community-at-large.
  • Physical therapists are autonomous practitioners who are lifelong learners and engage in evidence-based practice.
  • Physical therapists are prepared to meet current and evolving practice areas by means that are consistent with the core values of professionalism in physical therapy.
  • Clinical excellence includes the highest possible professional, ethical, legal, and scientific standards.
  • Physical therapists need a broad base of preparation in the liberal arts, professional theory, and critical inquiry integrated with practical and applied experiences
  • Active hands-on learning experiences with patients/clients are essential throughout the curriculum to assist students in gaining cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills to prepare them for clinical practice.
  • The integration of mind, body, and spirit for self and others is essential to the delivery of safe, comprehensive, and effective physical therapy services.
  • Meeting the healthcare needs of patients/clients requires effective skills in communication, collaboration, and advocacy.
  • Effective healthcare delivery is sensitive to the cultural and financial needs of all patients/clients in order to empower them to be active in their own care.
  • Faculty members are models for students in their roles as educators, scholars, administrators, clinicians, consultants, and providers of professional and community service.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Russell Sage College is a post-baccalaureate program where students enter the program in a summer semester. Students enrolled in the 3-year program complete 9 semesters of consecutive course work with integration of three full-time clinical experiences in the second and third summer semesters and from November–February of the third year. Part-time clinical experiences are also integrated to correspond with course work being completed in patient/client management courses.

View Curricular Model

Russell Sage College’s doctoral program in Physical Therapy prepares graduates for the National Physical Therapy Examination and entry into the physical therapy profession. Graduates will be competent to practice physical therapy at an entry-level consistent with the best practices in education and training recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide to Physical Therapy Practice: A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education and the APTA Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020.

Program Outcomes, Classes of 2022 and 2023

  • Average graduation rate for 2022 and 2023: 94.9%
  • Average licensure pass rate for 2022 and 2023: 95.4% 
  • Employment rate for those seeking employment, classes of 2022 and 2023: 100%
  • Average First-Time Pass Rate for 2022 and 2023: 67.15%
Professional Exam Results20182019202020212022
National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE)100%96.6%100%97.1%96.4%
National Rates98.3%95.1%98.2%97.9%97.1%

DPT Preferred Admissions

Are You an Undergraduate Student Looking at DPT Programs?

Students with bachelor’s degrees from any institution are welcome to apply to our DPT program. But as part of a DPT Preferred Admissions process, we have agreements with several undergraduate colleges to offer preferred acceptance to qualified students who wish to pursue a DPT at Russell Sage. 

We have articulation agreements with the following colleges:

  • Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  • Castleton University
  • Felician University
  • Hartwick College
  • Manhattan College
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Siena College
  • Skidmore College
  • SUNY Oneonta
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • University at Albany
  • Vermont State University
Explore Articulation Agreements
  • Accelerated Bachelor’s and DPT: Sage has 3+3 and 4 +3 programs for students to complete a bachelor’s degree and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Students in the accelerated DPT program can earn a bachelor’s and DPT in six years — that’s less time than it would take to pursue the degrees separately.
  • Undergrad Majors for DPT: Our undergraduate Biology, Health Sciences and Psychology programs are an excellent foundation for our DPT program. Students who wish to earn a bachelor’s and DPT should apply for undergraduate admission.

Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our doctorate program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Andrew Gaetano, PT, DPT, OCS, NCS, MTC, CSCS
Dr. Andrew
Gaetano, PT, DPT, OCS, NCS, MTC, CSCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Andrew
Dr. Janet
Hakey-Brusgul, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, CEEAA

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Janet
Dr. Laurie
Hepler, PT, DPT, MS, CWS, CLT

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Laurie
Dr. Katrin L.
Ramsey, PT, DSc, CLT, CAPP-OB

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Katrin
Dr. Erin
Elkins, PT, DPT, EdD

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy & Chair

Learn more about Dr. Erin
Dr. Jennifer Aiossa
Dr. Jennifer
Aiossa, PT, DPT, DCE

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of Clinical Education

Learn more about Dr. Jennifer
James Brennan
Dr. James R
Brennan, PT, PhD

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. James
Dr. Rupali
Singh, PT, PhD

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Rupali
Dr. Sarah Salvatore
Dr. Sarah
Salvatore, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Sarah
Cathron Donaldson
Dr. Cathron
Donaldson, PT, DPT, MS, PCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Learn more about Dr. Cathron
Lauren Tourtellott
Dr. Lauren
Tourtellott, PT, DPT, NCS, CSCS

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Director of Clinical Education

Learn more about Dr. Lauren

“Our DPT program has a multi-decade track record of turning out really, really good practitioners.”

James Brennan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
DPT program faculty and students

Your Future Career with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Our graduates work in private practices, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and fitness facilities, and they have been accepted to neuro-orthopaedic, sports medicine, and cardiopulmonary clinical residency programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for Physical Therapists, 

94.6%

first-time pass rate on the 2024 NPTE

95.4%

ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam for 2022-2023, most recent data available

100%

of our 2021 and 2022 graduates who sought employment secured a position within one year after graduation.

365

The number of sites that host our Physical Therapy students for clinical experiences.

17%

increase in employment opportunities predicted through 2031. (The average growth rate for all occupations is 5%, according to the Bureau.)

Research

 

Doctorate in Physical Therapy candidates have the opportunity to conduct research under a faculty mentor and may be eligible for research funding from Russell Sage College’s Broughton Graduate Fellowship. Our students have presented their research at the American Physical Therapy Association’s national meetings and at Russell Sage College’s Graduate Research symposium.

Professional Development & Service

Russell Sage College’s School of Health Sciences stresses inter-professional education and creates opportunities for future physical and occupational therapists, nurses, dietitians, mental health professionals and others to learn together, in preparation for roles on inter-professional health care teams.

Students and faculty represent the DPT program and physical therapy profession at three inter-professional conferences each year and at dozens of community events like 5K walks and runs, information sessions at senior-citizen centers and health-and-wellness expos.

Recent Posts for our Doctor of Physical Therapy

Quick Links

Technical Standards Policy
Technical Standards Form (PDF)
Clinical Observation Documentation (PDF)
DPT Financial Fact Sheet
Program of Study (PDF)
Professional Exam Results

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Details

Accreditation
Curricular Model
DPT Catalog Page
Need help?
Dr. Erin Elkins, PT, DPT, EdD
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy & Chair
[email protected]
518-244-2449

Take the Next Step

It's time to take the next step. Choose yours below.
Request More Info
Apply
Visit
Financial Aid