Doctorate
Doctor of Physical Therapy
The hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree prepares you to become a compassionate, skilled clinician ready to evaluate and treat patients across the lifespan. Through a blend of online coursework, in-person lab immersions, and clinical internships, you’ll develop strong clinical reasoning, apply evidence-based practice, and grow as a confident healthcare leader.

Dig Deeper Into the program
Explore integrated coursework in movement science, anatomy, clinical care, and professional development. Learning is reinforced through immersive on-campus labs and hands-on clinical experiences that connect theory to real patient care.
Graduate programs at College of Saint Mary are coed.
Degrees Offered
- Doctorate
Start Terms
- Summer (June)
Program Format
- Hybrid
- Combines online coursework with on-campus lab immersions and clinical experiences.
- Students meet on campus in Omaha, NE for week-long lab immersions roughly six times per year.
Credit Hours & Timeline
- Total credits required: 114
- Typical completion time: 2.5 years
Curriculum Highlights
- Online coursework that teaches you how to assess injuries, develop treatment plans, and think critically about patient care across the entire body.
- Multiple on-site hands-on lab intensives each semester.
- Two full-time clinical internships (16 weeks each) embedded in the 31-month sequence.
- Integrated research practice and professional development woven throughout the curriculum.
Admission to College of Saint Mary (CSM) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is a competitive process. Admission occurs once per year. A maximum of 60 students are enrolled in each cohort.
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended. Transcripts are to be submitted to CSM.
- Posting of the baccalaureate degree must appear on the final undergraduate transcript before the start of classes.
- A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Successful completion (C or better) of the following prerequisite courses are required:
- 8 semester hours of Biological Science courses for science majors with corresponding labs,
- General Chemistry I & II with corresponding lab (8 semester hours),
- General Physics I & II with corresponding lab (8 semester hours),
- Human Anatomy with lab (human gross anatomy recommended; course must be at least 200 level) (4 semester hours),**
- Physiology with lab (4 semester hours),**
**A combined two-course sequence in anatomy and physiology with lab (8 semester hours) will satisfy both (4) and (5) above. - Psychology (general psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, psychology of disability, etc.) (3 semester hours),
- English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours),
- Statistics or Research Design (3 semester hours),
* Graduate course equivalency will be evaluated on an individual basis.
- Completed application and fee on PTCAS.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae with the application.
- Two letters of references from the following: At least one from a licensed physical therapist and one from a person of the applicant’s choice
- Community Involvement (volunteer) hours are not a requirement, but are strongly recommended.
- Observation hours are not a requirement, but are strongly recommended.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language, demonstration of English language proficiency is required through the completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Paper-based TOEFL exam, minimum score of 600
Internet-based TOEFL exam, minimum score 100, minimum of 20 in each sub test - Ability to fulfill the essential functions of a physical therapist.
Once a student is admitted to the DPT Program, she or he must complete the following requirements designated by the program prior to matriculation:
- Comprehensive Criminal Background Check through a CSM-provided company.
- A misdemeanor or felony conviction may affect a student’s ability to complete clinical experiences at clinical sites based on their requirements. And/or i may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination or attain state licensure.
- Child Abuse Clearance
- American Heart Association CPR Certification (including Adult, Child, Infant and AED training)
- Proof of current health insurance
- COVID-19 immunization as required; however, students may request an exemption.
- 2-step TB Test
- Annual Physical Examination (completed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant)
- Immunization Record for
- Measles, Mumps, & Rubella
- Varicella
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus-Diphtheria
Summer 2027 Start < dates need to be validated>
- Application open: June 6, 2026
- Application closes: April 15, 2027
Qualified applicants will be notified via email regarding their admission status. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Once the cohort is filled, additional applications may not be considered, so early submission is strongly encouraged.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), a required step toward state licensure as a Physical Therapist.
Professional licensure requirements for physical therapists are set by individual states and may change over time. While College of Saint Mary reviews licensure information regularly, students are encouraged to consult the licensing board in the state where they plan to practice to confirm current requirements. Completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree does not guarantee licensure, as eligibility is determined by each state’s regulatory agency. The following link provides contact information for state licensing authorities: https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/Licensing-Authorities-Contact-Information
Tuition & Fees
Pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment in your professional future. At CSM, we are committed to transparency around tuition and total program cost so you can plan with confidence. Our team will walk you through expenses, payment timelines, and financing options to help you make an informed decision about your next step.
I like that the program is hybrid. I can study the material online at home, then come to campus for labs where we actually practice the hands-on skills together.
Matthew Ferguson, DPT Program

Your Roadmap to Admission
From application to enrollment, we guide you through each step with clarity and personal support so you can focus on what matters most and take the next step toward your future.
Why Students Choose CSM
Mission-Driven Clinical Training
Grounded in Mercy Core values, the DPT program emphasizes compassionate, ethical care and service to diverse populations. Students develop the clinical judgment and empathy needed to support patients across a wide range of healthcare settings.
Blended, Evidence-Based Curriculum
A hybrid model combines online coursework with hands-on lab immersions and applied clinical reasoning. Students learn to evaluate research, apply evidence-based practices, and make informed decisions in real-world patient care.
Extensive Clinical Experience
Integrated clinical learning and two extended internships provide meaningful patient care experience. These placements allow students to refine clinical skills, build professional confidence, and apply classroom knowledge in practice.
Leadership and Professional Growth
The program emphasizes professional identity, research literacy, and advocacy within the healthcare system. Graduates are prepared to lead, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to advancing the physical therapy profession.
DPT FAST FACTS
31 months
Program Length
Blended didactic and clinical curriculum completed over approximately 31 months.
30+ WEeks
Clinical Internships
Extended clinicals build hands-on patient care and professional confidence.
100%
Job Placement
CSM graduates have achieved a 100% job placement rate six months after graduation.
DPT Career Opportunities
- Outpatient orthopedic physical therapist
- Hospital or acute care physical therapist
- Sports physical therapist
- Pediatric physical therapist
- Neurologic rehabilitation physical therapist
- Geriatric physical therapist

DPT Students In Action









Follow the DPT Program on Social Media
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
The Doctor of Physical Therapy at College of Saint Mary 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; [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 402-399-2640.
State Authorization
College of Saint Mary seeks to make available all online programs/courses to residents of Nebraska and other states, and to allow completion of required clinical or practical experiences in those states. We work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process and with states directly to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, required approvals are secured. Nebraska is a member of SARA and CSM is an approved SARA institution. As such, we adhere to a set of national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. SARA also covers all interstate placements in clinical or practical situations among SARA member states, no matter the nature of the main program. However, not all states are SARA members (i.e. California). While we do monitor the laws in each state, authorization of distance education is a dynamic environment and prospective students should check often for updates. It is the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements in their state of residence.
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