Physical Therapy student and faculty in classroom

Physical therapy students learning in experiential situations

Physical therapy experience in clinical practice with baby

Physical therapy students learning in classroom

Physical therapy student learning in clinical setting

Physical therapy students learning about visual impairments

Physical Therapy student and faculty in classroom Thumbnail

Physical therapy students learning in experiential situations Thumbnail

Physical therapy experience in clinical practice with baby Thumbnail

Physical therapy students learning in classroom Thumbnail

Physical therapy student learning in clinical setting Thumbnail

Physical therapy students learning about visual impairments Thumbnail

On Campus

Physical Therapy - Omaha (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

Looking to improve lives and society through a commitment to exemplary physical therapist education, research and service, within the Jesuit tradition? Creighton University offers two programs to obtain your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in our Omaha and Phoenix locations.

Known for setting industry standards, Creighton created the first Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the United States—a standard adapted by physical therapy programs nationwide.

Creighton’s nationally acclaimed faculty bring an unparalleled level of leadership and academic expertise to the physical therapy program with a focus in areas such as:

Clinical reasoning
Women’s health
Global engagement
Human biomechanics
Research

Committed to excellence in innovative research, the Omaha and Phoenix campuses each offer access to their own state-of-the-art rehabilitation science research labs, as well as an educational research collaborative that spans across both locations.

Above all, Creighton values the student-learning experience and prioritizes close educator and student relationships.

Program Details

Program Goals

The physical therapy programs create a collaborative learning community that develops adaptive, reflective physical therapists with sound clinical reasoning skills. The programs strive to improve healthcare through scholarship in clinical and educational practice, and promote social accountability to have a positive impact on health and human experience.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, you’ll learn:

Professional core abilities such as communication skills, critical thinking, clinical judgement and professional development
Physical therapy core abilities such as patient examination, evaluation and physical therapy diagnosis, patient prognosis, patient intervention and systems management

Curriculum

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program supports Creighton University’s Jesuit identity, existing to educate and mentor future and current clinicians for excellence in physical therapy practice, advance the profession through scholarship and provide service to the University and community for the greater good.

Specializations

Sports
Research
Women’s Health

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View Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

View Doctor of Physical Therapy Specialization Tracks

Admissions Requirements

Prerequisites

For admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at Creighton University, you must meet the following requirements:

A minimum of 90 semester hours or 136 quarter hours is required before entering the programs.
Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree must take coursework that includes in-depth upper division study in one discipline comparable to a minor at Creighton University prior to matriculation (18 semester hours).
Strong academic performance is considered paramount; the degree of emphasis is secondary.
Prerequisite courses may be completed at any regionally accredited institution and must be completed with a grade of C or better (a C- grade is not acceptable). All prerequisite coursework must be completed by August 1 of the desired year of entry.

Admissions Requirements

To apply, submit an online application and all supporting materials through PTCAS, a physical therapy centralized application service, which includes:

An official transcript from each institution the applicant has attended and/or is currently attending
Three letters of recommendation
- One recommendation must come from a licensed physical therapist
Proof of a minimum of 60 hours of observation supervised by a licensed physical therapist
International applicants must submit a foreign transcript evaluation to PTCAS through an evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

Personal interviews are required in the admission process. Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview.

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View Full Physical Therapy Prerequisites

View All Physical Therapy Admissions Information

Dates & Deadlines

June 15, 2023: PTCAS Launch Date
October 1, 2023: Preferred Deadline
October 1, 2023: Creighton Undergraduate Deadline
December 2023-January 2024: PTCAS Academic Update

Update Summer/Fall 2023 grades through PTCAS

March 1, 2024: PT - Omaha Program Deadline
March 1, 2024: PT - Phoenix Program Deadline

View All Dates & Deadlines Information

Tuition & Financial Aid

The Doctor of Physical Therapy tuition and fees varies over the 3-years of the program. See up-to-date tuition and fee information.

Financial Aid

Competitive scholarship awards are available to all qualified Doctor of Physical Therapy candidates at the time of the admission decision. A typical scholarship award ranges up to $60,000 for the duration and is divided throughout the three years of the programs. The Office of Admission awards the top 25% of the incoming class at minimum. Explore scholarship and aid.

View Tuition and Fees

Learn More About Funding Your Education

Fill Out the FAFSA Application

“Creighton and Omaha have truly become a home away from home, and I believe it was my calling to attend Creighton and continue growing as a woman and future practitioner. It’s a blessing to learn in a space where your classmates want the best for you.”

— Chisom Ogbozor, BS’21

“At Creighton, students are encouraged to take the skills gained from the classroom out into the community, where they continue to develop through clinical practice and volunteer work. My Creighton education made me into a well-rounded individual.”

— Alex Sikora, BS’17, DPT’20

“Creighton University provides an engaging environment for student learning augmented by a unique talent of diverse faculty. It is a career journey beginning day one of classes and extending a lifetime.”

— Kirk Peck, PT, PhD, CSCS, CCRT, CERP, Associate Professor, Department Chair

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

View more accreditation information.

Related Degrees

Doctor of Physical Therapy - Phoenix

Department Links

Clinical Education

The Creighton University clinical education experience is rooted in the development of clinical reasoning skills, the application of theory and general principles and providing optimal care to enhance patient movement and function with compassion and competence.

Learn more about clinical education.

Residency Program

Creighton University Department of Physical Therapy’s ABPTRFE-accredited residency programs provide post-professional clinical residency education in specialty PT areas: pediatric, orthopedic , women’s health, neurologic and geriatric.

Learn more about residencies.