Explore Our Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Russell Sage College offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program including a 3+3 accelerated BS/DPT for undergraduates. 

Explore Physical Therapy

Consistent with the mission of the Russell Sage College and the American Physical Therapy Association Vision 2020 statement, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the School of Health Sciences at Russell Sage College prepares physical therapists who are exemplary, autonomous practitioners.

The depth and breadth of our professional curriculum is enriched by the intellectual community found at our comprehensive university that is dedicated to liberal, professional, and specialized programs of study. Graduates embrace their role in promoting the profession through evidence-based practice that is respectful and sensitive to individual differences, commitment to lifelong learning that sustains clinical excellence, and service to community and society.

DPT Financial Fact Sheet

Program Philosophy

The members of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program believe:

  1. Physical therapists are autonomous practitioners who are lifelong learners and engage in evidence-based practice.
  2. 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.
  3. Clinical excellence includes the highest possible professional, ethical, legal, and scientific standards.
  4. Physical therapists need a broad base of preparation in the liberal arts, professional theory, and critical inquiry integrated with practical and applied experiences
  5. 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.
  6. The integration of mind, body, and spirit for self and others is essential to the delivery of safe, comprehensive, and effective physical therapy services.
  7. Meeting the healthcare needs of patients/clients requires effective skills in communication, collaboration, and advocacy.
  8. 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.
  9. Faculty members are models for students in their roles as educators, scholars, administrators, clinicians, consultants, and providers of professional and community service.
  10. Faculty and students have a responsibility to make positive contributions to the professional community and community-at-large.

Curricular Model

Patient/client centered care is at the core of the curriculum design, which is based on the disablement model and the patient/client management model. The curriculum emphasizes a problem-solving approach for clinical decision-making, critical thinking skills, collaboration, communication, interpersonal interactions, and clinical research applications.

Learn More About the Curricular Model

Admission

Qualified students who possess a baccalaureate degree and who have fulfilled the prerequisite courses for the professional program may apply directly through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service.

Students interested in applying to Russell Sage College for a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree should complete the following forms and include them with the admission application: Academic Standards Statement, Clinical Observation Documentation, and Program Prerequisite Record. The observation hours can be completed after acceptance, but must be completed prior to the beginning program coursework.

Learn More About Admission to the Programs

Four-Year Articulation Agreements

Russell Sage College has developed articulation agreements with several four-year colleges to provide preferred acceptance into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program for students who have completed DPT program course prerequisites.

Browse the List of Articulation Agreements

3+3 and 4+3 Programs

Exceptionally prepared students entering Russell Sage College from high school or transferring students who are accepted into the accelerated 3+3 Program complete both a Bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in a total of six years. Students who are admitted to the 4+3 program complete the bachelor’s degree in four years.  This program allows greater latitude for taking additional elective courses of interest to the student and may be more conducive to success.

Aimee Fredette, DPT Student

I came to Russell Sage as a 3+3 Physical Therapy Student, originally looking forward to starting my career faster and saving some money on tuition. After beginning my time at Sage, I quickly realized that the campus felt like home and everyone made it feel like one big family. Choosing the accelerated PT program prepared me for the high demands of a graduate program since I was already used to the high course load and finding a balance between that and my free time. – Aimee Fredette, RSC ’16, SGS ’19

Learn More About the Accelerated Programs

Program Outcomes

  • Average graduation rate for 2021 and 2022: 94.1%
  • Average licensure pass rate for 2021 and 2022: 95% 
  • Employment rate for those seeking employment, classes of 2021 and 2022: 100%

Accreditation

Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences 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 Dr. Erin Elkins at 518-244-2449 or email [email protected]

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