Why Choose WVU
Build your PT career on a proud legacy of success!
- The WVU PT program was established in 1970 to address a critical shortage of physical therapists in WV.
- Our first class of 16 PTs graduated in 1972. We graduated our first class at the master's level in 2000, and our first DPT graduates in 2008.
- The program has been continuously accredited since its inception. The program recently earned re-accreditation until Spring 2032!
- The DPT program at WVU is the highest ranked PT education program in WV*
- Well over 1200 physical therapists have graduated from WVU, forming a strong network of alumni who serve as employers and clinical instructors.
(*Best Physical Therapy Programs - Ranked in 2020. US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physical-therapy-rankings)
Our students achieve excellent outcomes.
Our two-year, first-time pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination is 92.3%, which is:
- Above the state (89%*) and national average.
- Above the weighted average for PT programs rated in the top 10 by US News and World Report (91%*).
- Graduates are successful in finding employment. Graduates practice in sports settings, private practice, hospitals, school system, long-term care, early intervention, and adult rehabilitation.
- Additional program statistics, including graduation and employment rates, are available.
(*Calculated from: Two-Year First-Time Pass Rates by School. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Updated January 25, 2022. fsbpt.org/Portals/0/documents/free-resources/PT_First2_Pass_Rates_For_CAPTE_2022Q1.pdf)
Our curriculum prepares students for today’s clinical practice.
- Our newly revised curriculum prepares Doctors of Physical Therapy who are experts in human movement.
- As part of an academic medical center, DPT students benefit from rich learning experiences, including:
- Interprofessional Education – learning with, about, and from other healthcare professionals.
- WV Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (WV STEPS), WVU’s premiere patient simulation lab.
- Gross Anatomy laboratories featuring cadaver dissection.
- Extensive hands-on laboratory experiences, supervised by expert PT faculty, allow students to master patient care skills.
- We are committed to meeting the needs of rural and underserved communities in WV:
- All students complete one of their full-time clinical experiences in a rural or underserved community.
- Students starting the second year of the program are eligible to apply to the AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars program. This program offers interprofessional learning experiences for students to prepare them to be leaders in improving the health of rural communities.
Our highly qualified, experienced faculty are dedicated to student success.
- Ten core faculty members, with over 250 years of combined clinical experience, are actively engaged in classroom and laboratory teaching.
- Three clinical faculty members are overseeing specialty clinical programs in women’s health, oncology/cancer rehabilitation, and neurological movement disorders.
- Three adjunct faculty members with faculty appointments in other programs/departments bring their unique expertise to the classroom.
- Nine faculty members hold PhD/EdD degrees. Five hold DPT degrees.
- Eight faculty members are board certified clinical specialists, are fellowship credentialed, or hold other advanced specialty credentials.
- Faculty are actively engaged in clinical practice in specialty clinical areas.