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Physical Therapy Hybrid Program

  • On-site Human Donor Anatomy Lab (Plastinated Cadavers)
  • Small class sizes - twenty-four students maximum per cohort
  • Flexible hybrid program with on campus lab immersions


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Informational Webinars


The program has two application windows for the cohort beginning in January 2025:

January 15, 2024 - June 3, 2024
June 15, 2024 - December 1, 2024

AppLy Now!

The Allen College Hybrid DPT program located in Waterloo, Iowa, has been granted initial accreditation and is accepting applications for the January 2025 admission cycle.

The Allen College Hybrid DPT program offers a unique blend of online and onsite learning developing entry-level physical therapists. The three-year curriculum emphasizes application and clinical reasoning skills through a blended model including online learning and onsite lab immersions, comprehensively preparing students to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.

DPT PROGRAM VIRTUAL TOUR

DPT PROGRAM GRADUATE REFLECTIONS

dpt Program Financial Fact Sheet

DPT Admission Requirements

The DPT program begins once each year in the spring semester.

Applicants can apply prior to completing all prerequisite coursework; however, all admissions requirements must be completed before starting the program.  
 
Qualified applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation.
 
DPT Application Materials

Applications must be complete and verified by PTCAS. A $50 supplemental application fee must be paid directly to Allen College before admission consideration.

Applications must be submitted using Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). 

All required application materials must be received prior to admission consideration, including official GRE scores, the $50 application fee and official transcripts for all colleges attended. Official GRE scores are sent to PTCAS using the designated code 2960 for Allen College.

Completed applicant files will be reviewed on a rolling basis. PTCAS applications should be submitted 2-3 weeks ahead of the application deadline to allow time for CAS verification.

DPT Prerequisite Coursework

General education and prerequisite courses will be accepted from any regionally accredited institution. 

In conjunction with the general education prerequisite coursework, students must have earned a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation.

Prerequisite courses are recommended to be completed within ten years of application. 

DPT Curriculum

The Allen College Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a blended model including online learning and onsite lab immersions.

Required immersion labs are typically scheduled twice per term for up to 14 days for each lab immersion. There are roughly 90 days of immersion labs throughout the three-year program.

Asynchronous learning occurs when students listen or view lectures, view demonstrations, read articles or textbooks and provide peer feedback. Synchronous activities occur when students meet online to discuss lectures, patient cases and other activities as a whole class or small group. Asynchronous learning allows students to familiarize themselves with specific content; synchronous learning allows students to synthesize the content, and lab immersions allow students to apply knowledge.

DPT Tuition and Fees

Your investment (cost of attendance) is an estimate of the costs of being enrolled at Allen College.

The estimated cost of the program is outlined on the Student Financial Fact Sheet. It is an estimate due to individual travel costs and associated lodging costs. The program is making efforts to provide preferred pricing at hotels in Waterloo, IA during lab immersions.

Please note Allen College DPT is a 3 year program over 9 semesters with a spring term (January) start date. The linked Financial Fact Sheet is a standard form required by CAPTE which reflects a typical academic calendar year (fall term, spring term, summer term) which reflects a fall start. This means that the tuition break down on the Financial Fact Sheet is broken down as follows:

    • Year 1 costs: Spring 1st term
    • Year 2 costs: Summer 2nd term, Fall 3rd term, Spring 4th term
    • Year 3 costs: Summer 5th term, Fall 6th term, Spring 7th term
    • Year 4 costs: Summer 8th term, Fall 9th term

DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet

DPT Program Outcomes

 

Graduation Year

Graduation Rate

1st Time Licensure Passing Rate

Ultimate Licensure Passing Rate

Employment Rate

2023*

100%

40%

100%

To be reported once data is available

*Inaugural graduating class

Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Application Procedures

The Allen College DPT program has two separate application windows, one opening in mid-January and the other opening in mid-June each year.

January 15, 2024 - June 3, 2024
June 15, 2024 - December 1, 2024

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants who apply early may be given priority over those in the later cycle. All application materials must be received by the deadline of each cycle for consideration (Official transcripts GRE scores, two references, and $50 application fee to Allen College). Those who apply in the first cycle but do not submit all application requirements by the deadline will be reviewed in the next cycle.

Students will apply with PTCAS. Students will submit all GRE scores, official transcripts and letters of recommendation through PTCAS not directly to Allen College.

 
If you are applying during the first admissions window:

The deadline for submitting all required application materials through PTCAS is June 3, 2024, at midnight EST. This includes all official transcripts, GRE scores and letters of recommendation. Late applications or incomplete applications at the time of the deadline will be reviewed with applicants applying in the second window.

If you are applying during the second admissions window:

The deadline for submitting all required application materials through PTCAS is December 1, 2024, at midnight EST. This includes all official transcripts, GRE scores and letters of recommendation. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants applying in the first cycle will typically receive communication regarding their application within weeks from the application deadline. However, response times may vary based on the volume of applications. Please note, that applicants who apply in the first cycle may receive a communication that their application is still under review and will be considered with applicants applying in the second window.
 
Please see the Prerequisite profile for Allen College on PTCAS and visit our prerequisite requirements on the Allen College DPT website. Consult with your current academic advisor to ensure you are enrolled in courses for Pre PT/Pre-Medical Professional to meet the prerequisite requirements.
 
Biology: Two courses with labs at the general or college level such as General Biology I and II are accepted or a General/College level course with the addition of an upper-level course such as Microbiology, Histology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Embryology etc. Movement science, exercise physiology or introductory courses for non-science majors will not be accepted.
 
Anatomy and Physiology: A two course sequence with labs are required. Anatomy and Physiology or Anatomy Physiology I and II will be accepted. Coursework should be for Pre PT/Pre-Professional majors. Anatomy and Physiology for physical education majors will not be accepted.
 
Chemistry: A two course sequence with labs at the general or college level such as General/College Chemistry I and II are accepted or a General/College level course with the addition of an upper-level course such as Biochemistry, Organic or Analytical Chemistry may be accepted. Introductory courses for non-science majors will not be accepted.
 
Physics: A two course sequence with labs at the general or college level such as General/College Physics I and II are accepted or a General/College level course with the addition of an upper level may be accepted. Physics coursework must be at the Algebra or calculus level. Introductory physics for non-science majors will not be accepted.
 
Psychology: A three credit course in psychology is required. Course examples may include General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, or Human Behavior.
 
Statistics: A three credit statistics course is required. Statistics courses may come from different departments such as Psychology, Biology, or Mathematics.
 
If you have questions about a course meeting prerequisite criterion please email admissions@zsdzi1.com with the course name, number, institution, year completed and a copy of the syllabus. The Allen College admissions team may provide assistance and recommendations, but applicants are responsible to complete the appropriate prerequisites for admission. Guidance from the admissions office on prerequisites does not always guarantee the student will meet all prerequisites and be admitted into the program.
 
Students may apply before all prerequisites are completed. We recommend that no more than three prerequisites are outstanding at the time of the application. It is recommended that all prerequisites are taken in the last 10 years from the application submission.
 
Official GRE scores are required for admission. Scores are evaluated along with overall academic record for each applicant. However, higher GRE percentile ranks are more competitive. Students may retake and submit more than one GRE report, scores do not expire. Applicants submit official GRE scores through PTCAS using the code 2960 for Allen College. All GRE scores must be submitted by the application window deadlines for consideration.
 
No interview is required. Observation experiences are not currently required; however, students are encouraged to observe a physical therapist prior to applying.
 
Hybrid learning - online and onsite

The combination of online learning with in-person immersion experiences and clinical rotations creates an innovative blend for students to excel while remaining close to current communities. Students learn alongside classmates in a online classroom. With blended learning students have continuous access to online learning resources and connection to experienced program faculty with expertise in blended learning environments.

Online Learning Highlights

  • Coursework accessible any time of day, granting an individualized pace
  • Create strong connections with classmates and faculty through collaborative and engaging content
  • Develop and refine professional skills with ongoing feedback from both peers and faculty via video, case scenario assignments and class discussions
  • Access high-quality video on patient demonstrations, lectures and skill prep for immersion labs

Onsite Learning Highlights

  • Reinforce professional bonds with faculty and peers during in-person labs
  • Apply and advance hands-on skills in a small, intimate class setting
  • Learn in Allen College's brand-new physical therapy education space, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Clinical Rotation Highlights

  • Develop clinical knowledge in four rotation experiences throughout the program, beginning in the first year
  • Spend a total of 32 weeks in various geographical and clinical settings for a well-rounded education, ready to work in any setting upon graduation
  • Collaborate side-by-side with a full-time, licensed physical therapist guiding learning with patients in a real-world setting

Applicants to the DPT program should be aware that participation in clinical education experiences may require travel for one, more, or all of the experiences in the curriculum dependent upon placement availability. Clinical partnerships are with local, regional and nationwide companies across multiple settings and patient populations. The clinical education program is constantly looking for new clinical partners across the country to strengthen student learning experiences.

Human Donor Anatomy Lab

Anatomy education is foundational to the DPT curriculum, and the college has invested in the creation of a cutting-edge anatomy laboratory – the lab consists of real human donors who have been meticulously dissected preserved and covered in silicone (plastination). Students are not required to spend time dissecting or being exposed to hazardous chemicals yet have the vivid visual experience of identifying structures in the body that a textbook or plastic model cannot provide. The specimens are fully intact, durable and free of chemical odors that are stored at room temperature.  The human donor lab consists of several full body models as well as specific body regions such as the brain, upper and lower leg giving students a variety of specimens to view and feel. The DPT program faculty and students are very fortunate to have a unique anatomy learning experience and one of the few colleges offering a plastinated donor laboratory.

The human donor lab was made possible in part by the R.J. McElroy Trust, the Van G Miller Foundation and numerous generous donations made toward Allen College rehabilitation sciences projects. The human donor lab is located on Allen College’s campus on the 5th floor dedicated DPT space adjacent to the skills labs giving student easy access to the lab throughout the program.

 

CAPTE Accreditation and Program Mission

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Allen College 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: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (319) 226-2024 or email eric.arguello@zsdzi1.com.

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

To file a complaint with CAPTE, please go to the CAPTE website at capteonline.org/Complaints

To file a comment or grievance outside of due process, please read the process at
Complaints Outside of Due Process

Program Mission

The mission of the Allen College DPT Program is to prepare competent, compassionate and caring physical therapists who, through a diverse learning community and an innovative, blended educational format led by accomplished and veteran faculty, practice with a commitment to lifelong learning, engagement in their community and leadership in the profession.

Meet the Program Faculty

         Dr. Eric Arguello Dr. Dawn Osborne
         Dr. Bryan BondDr. Carissa Stoddard
         Dr. Erica KiernanDr. Chris Wiedman
         Dr. Alexis OrtizDr. Adam Yoder

 

DPT faculty
Additional Program Information

Allen College DPT is a hybrid doctorate program located in Waterloo, Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions