Northwestern University · United States
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is an innovative 32-month curriculum designed to prepare students for careers as physical therapists and movement scientists. It integrates basic science and clinical coursework within a movement sciences framework, emphasizing clinical decision-making grounded in scientific principles, patient values, and evidence-based practice. The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, small-group discussions, anatomy and clinical skills labs, team-based learning, research projects, service learning, and interprofessional education.
Faculty are dedicated to the scientific foundations of contemporary practice and the scholarship of teaching and learning. The curriculum is structured around the Motor Control Framework (MCF), developed by Northwestern faculty, to help students diagnose and treat movement dysfunction. Students learn to observe movement, integrate information about the person, task, and environment, and formulate hypotheses for examination and care plans, with evidence-based practice integrated throughout.
The program includes extensive clinical experiences, comprising four full-time clinical rotations and part-time integrated experiences throughout the didactic training. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge and skills under supervision in various practice settings across the lifespan. The department also fosters global health awareness and opportunities through partnerships, including international clinical rotations in Belize and Chile, and local community engagement initiatives.
