Physical Therapy Doctorate (DPT) in Omaha
Creighton University’s health sciences programs lead the nation in innovation, collaborative care and service to others. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates are highly competent, empathetic, passionate and principled global citizens who are committed to providing equitable care. The program includes a range of clinical experiences and the opportunity to select a PT specialty like research, sports, or women’s health. As an option, students can also participate in our Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program, which provides support to underserved populations internationally.
PT Program, per U.S. News & World Report
Graduation Rate for the Past 2 Years
Employment Rate for the Past 2 Years
Program Details
Creighton University’s DPT program is focused on education, research and service to the community. It begins each year in August. It’s eight semesters long, spread throughout three calendar years (including summer terms).
The program aims to foster a collaborative learning environment where students can become change agents who make a positive impact. Students will develop not only the scientifically grounded clinical reasoning skills to become entry-level physical therapists, but also the adaptability and thoughtfulness to practice healthcare with social accountability. Student will gain these abilities through a range of classroom, lab and clinical experiences, which can be strengthened through local community engagement at our Porto clinic, as well as global opportunities to provide pro bono physical therapy to underserved populations.
Our innovative faculty are at the heart of the program, striving to meet the needs of developing healthcare professionals; the overall physical therapy profession; and both the individuals and communities we serve. They bring a variety of practice and research expertise to the program’s curriculum—including Board Certified Specialists (ABPTS) in cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, orthopedics, pediatrics, neurology, sports medicine, women’s health and wound care.
Upon graduation, each student should be able to demonstrate a range of professional and clinical care abilities.
Core Professional Abilities
The program emphasizes continuous personal and professional development—with the expectation that students embrace accountability, integrity and social responsibility. Guided by these values, students will be able to communicate effectively while demonstrating respect and cultural sensitivity. They’ll develop deeper critical thinking skills, allowing them to gather, interpret and evaluate data to make sound clinical decisions. Additionally, students will be encouraged to work with a strong ethical foundation, demonstrating a commitment to practice responsibly and develop equitable healthcare regulations and policies.
Physical Therapy Care Abilities
By gaining these abilities, which span from initial patient examination to final outcomes, students will be able to deliver effective and responsive care. Through the course of the program, they’ll learn to:
- Conduct detailed patient interviews to gather medical history, perform physical assessments, and interpret the findings to develop precise diagnoses and prognoses
- Develop personalized intervention plans, including managing care activities and overseeing delegated tasks, in alignment with diagnoses, prognoses and patient expectations
- Monitor and evaluate patient progress, so care can be adjusted as needed
- Navigate the broader healthcare system—and adapt to healthcare policies—in service of contributing to the health of diverse populations and the community as a whole
Professional licensure requirements are determined solely by each state and may change without notice to Creighton. While our information is updated annually, Creighton cannot guarantee continuous accuracy. Current and prospective students can find program-specific PDFs on our Academic Regulations page or consult the appropriate licensing agency in the state where they plan to practice to confirm updated requirements for their program.
Creighton also cannot guarantee that any student will attain state-established licensure or certification in any field or jurisdiction.
Schedule a Visit
Learn about the program, admissions, prerequisites, clinical education experiences and more below. You can also discover if Creighton is the right fit for you by scheduling a personalized campus visit.
Admission Requirements
To apply, please submit an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The service begins accepting applications in June, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Before completing the application, make sure you’ve reviewed the program prerequisites (including those for international students) and be prepared to provide the following:
- An official transcript from each institution you’ve attended (or are currently attending), which must be supplied directly from the issuing institution(s) to either PTCAS (for fall/winter transcripts) or Creighton University Enrollment Services (for spring/summer transcripts)
- A letter of recommendation from a licensed physical therapist
- Two additional letters of recommendation; preferably, one should be from a college professor—or someone from a work setting if you have been out of school for some time—who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program; please do not submit letters from family or friends
- Proof of a minimum of 60 hours of observation supervised by a licensed physical therapist. (A form will be provided in PTCAS.) We encourage applicants to finish observation hours before their admissions interview, because the experience can help inform their answers. these hours must be completed by However, the final completion deadline is August 1.
Note that as part of our holistic admissions process, a GRE score is NOT required, and submitted scores will not be considered when reviewing applications.
Prerequisites
For admission into the DPT programs at Creighton University, you must meet the following academic requirements:
- A history of strong academic performance (the area of emphasis is a secondary consideration)
- The completion of the following courses with a C grade or higher—a C- is not acceptable—by August 1 of the desired year of entry:
- General Biology I & II with labs:* 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
- General Chemistry I & II with labs:* 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
- General Physics I & II with labs:* 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours
- Human or Mammalian Physiology:** 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Human Anatomy:** 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- English, including Composition: 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours
- Statistics: 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Electives:*** 51 semester hours/76.5 quarter hours
- Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree must take 18 semester hours of in-depth upper division courses in one discipline prior to beginning the DPT program
- International students must complete prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited college or university within the United States. Due to the F1 Visa requirements and processing timeline, we also require that these prerequisites are completed by July 1 in the year of enrollment. Please review the full international student requirements prior to enrollment
- All applicants must meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and communication expectations for performance; note these must be met with or without reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Applicants must also meet Creighton University’s immunization requirements in support of our campus community’s health and well-being
*These courses must be part of an eight-hour (or equivalent) sequence, which is made up of correlated courses offering in-depth coverage. Survey courses or those designed for non-science or health science majors; courses without labs; or online courses utilizing laboratory kits will not meet these requirements. Additionally, coursework in botany, ecology, entomology, anatomy, or physiology will not fulfill the biology requirement.
**For courses that combine physiology and anatomy, six semester hours (nine quarter hours) are required.
***Creighton undergraduate students must complete six hours of Theology as part of their electives.
Important Dates
June 16: PTCAS Launch Date
October 1: Preferred Deadline
October 1: Creighton Undergraduate Deadline
December-January: PTCAS Academic Update (Update Summer/Fall grades through PTCAS)
March 2: Final Deadline
Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they have been selected for interviews. Applications are processed on a rolling basis as they come in. After interview seats are full, we may not have the ability to interview additional candidates, so we encourage you to apply early. In addition, if you apply to both the Omaha and Phoenix programs, you can be interviewed at either campus.
Interviews
Personal interviews are required in the PT admission process. Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview. Interview registration, if applicable, is available in your application portal. Once interview seats are full, we may not have the ability to interview additional qualified candidates. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
The interview process will consist of a virtual 1:1 interview and an in-person group interview. Candidates who apply to both the Omaha PT Program and Phoenix PT Program can interview in person at either campus.
Costs and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees vary during the program’s three-year period. Estimated costs can be found in the Cost & Aid section and include both direct costs billed by Creighton each semester (tuition and fees), as well as indirect costs, such as personal housing, that will likely be incurred as you pursue your degree.
Admitted Student Scholarship Opportunities
All qualified DPT candidates will automatically be considered for scholarships at the time of the admission decision; no additional application is required. Candidates will be considered based on overall grade point average, prerequisite math and science grade point average, quality of admission essays, interview performance, and participation in service and leadership. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
A scholarship is typically up to $60,000, awarded for the program’s duration and divided over the three years. The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions awards scholarships to at least the top 25% of the incoming class.
Additional Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
Once enrolled, DPT students can apply for additional scholarships on an annual basis. These scholarships range from $500 to full tuition in value and can be stacked on top of the initial merit award.
Students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds may also be eligible for a federally funded grant from The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP). The program is designed to provide the opportunity for these students to successfully enter and graduate from health professional schools. It can cover tuition, fees, books and other educational expenses.
Undergraduate Pathways
Creighton offers two options that provide a straightforward path into the DPT program, so students can start working toward their goals sooner.
Early Assurance Program
High school students interested in early admission to the DPT program may be given assurance of their acceptance to the program if they meet the criteria for admission and progression.
Admission requirements
- Automatic consideration with prior admission to Creighton University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- A high school GPA of 3.5 or higher (special consideration may be given to students whose GPAs fall outside this criterion with additional review by the PT Admission committee)
- Complete 10 hours of shadowing a licensed physical therapist
Progression requirements to remain in the early assurance program
- Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton. (Courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will NOT result in ineligibility. However, any prerequisite courses taken at other institutions after high school graduation will.)
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
- No grade below a C in any prerequisite course.
- Full participation in the Student Success pre-physical therapy learning community, which provides helpful instruction on how to be a competitive applicant, during years 1, 2 and 3.
- 60 hours of work or shadowing in a physical therapy setting between acceptance into the pre-professional program and August 1 of year 2.
- Submit a PTCAS application by October 1 the year prior to enrollment in the DPT program.
- Successful completion of a progression interview, demonstrating growth in knowledge of the profession and strong communication/interpersonal skills.
- Pass a criminal background check prior to official enrollment in the professional program.
- Review and sign the technical standards document to acknowledge compliance with technical standards needed to successfully complete the DPT curriculum and practice the profession of physical therapy.
- Notify the Office of Admission if you withdraw from a prerequisite course. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Office of Admissions prior to withdrawing from prerequisite coursework. Early Assurance students should be prepared to submit a written appeal to the admission committee to remain in the Early Assurance Program. Course withdrawals will be considered by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis.
Creighton Preference
The DPT program gives preferential admission consideration to Creighton Undergraduate students who complete all prerequisite coursework at Creighton. Benefits of this program include:
- A guaranteed interview to students with a 3.25 overall GPA
- 60 hours of practice observation facilitated through the Student Success program and Pre-PT Club
- The option of a formalized deferral program for one year if admitted (and, if the student remains enrolled during that year, a 3.25 science GPA is maintained)
Qualification criteria
- Participate in the Student Success program
- Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton (courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility).
- General Biology I & II with labs (BIO 201/205, 202/206; 8 semester hours)
- General Chemistry I & II with labs (CHM 203/204, 205/206; 8 semester hours)
- General Physics I & II with labs (PHY 211 and 212 or 200/205 and 202/206; 8 semester hours)
- Human or Mammalian Physiology (BIO 449, BMS 303, or EXS 320; 3 semester hours)
- Human Anatomy (PHA 213, EXS 331, or BMS 411; 3 semester hours)
- English (ENG 150; 6 semester hours)
- Statistics (PSY 211, MTH 363, or EXS 407; 3 semester hours)
- Theology (6 semester hours)
- Electives (45 semester hours, including 18 semester hours of coursework toward a single emphasis of upper-level study)
- Submit a PTCAS application by October 1 the year prior to enrollment in the DPT program
Note that meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission into the DPT program. Admission is based on a range of academic and personal qualifications considered necessary for successful, competent practice as a physical therapist. Prior education, work experiences, honors, awards, service to others and leadership activities will also provide insight into a candidate’s commitment to lifelong learning and doctoral-level education.
Join Creighton's Top 10 DPT Program in Omaha
Clinical Education
The Creighton University clinical education experience is rooted in developing clinical reasoning skills; applying theory and general principles; and taking deliberate and moral action to provide optimal care. We also believe our students’ clinical experience will guide them to practice physical therapy with both competence and compassion. The foundations for these clinical experiences will be set soon after beginning the program, with students participating in community-based activities and events focused on promoting good health.
In the third semester, students will begin their first clinical experiences, which will align with their own Clinical Education Plans. These comprehensive plans will be developed in accordance with the following:
- The mission, purposes and program outcomes of the department of physical therapy
- The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Guide to Physical Therapist Practice
Each student will work with their Clinical Education Advisor to create their own plan, which will include their goals and mission statement for the program, as well as specific objectives for all clinical experiences. Students will also choose clinical education experiences that meet a breadth and depth of scenarios to prepare them for entry-level practice.
Integrated Professional Practice Experiences
Students in the DPT program will complete four full-time professional practice clinical education experiences for a total of 44 weeks of experiential education, providing ample opportunities to learn in the field.
- Professional Practice I (PTD 560): In this six-week, full-time clinical education experience at the end of the third semester, students will demonstrate competence in basic assessment skills including communication and application of ethics, comprehensive screening examinations, fundamental physical therapy procedures, and simple application of a clinical reasoning model.
- Professional Practice II (PTD 670): This six-week experience occurs at the end of the fifth semester, and allows students to build upon the basic tools, analysis, and decision making needed to begin entry-level practice, developing additional experience in several areas.
- PT 680 and PT 690: These practice experiences—one in the fall, one in the spring—are 16 weeks each, and emphasize not only the integration of patient care activities, but also aspects of supervision, management, patient education, teaching, and consultation. Students will be directly involved in the formulation and design of these experiences.
Students may also engage in directed practice experience to apply what they’ve learned to other field-based settings, nationally or internationally. These experiences are typically four to six weeks in length and are tailored to students’ individual goals. They may involve a specialized area of clinical practice, teaching, research, administration, supporting underserved communities, or other areas of advanced study.
Site locations
Creighton’s Department of Physical Therapy has more than 400 site agreements, with clinical locations in 45 states and the Dominican Republic. Our clinical education faculty work closely with students to determine which opportunities best fit their educational and professional goals.
International Opportunities
Enrolled students can take a hands-on approach to supporting underserved patient populations through the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program. The program provides DPT students with four weeks of clinical education in the Dominican Republic. Students will also gain the opportunity to share their healthcare experience and knowledge at nine clinical settings, ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, supervised by Creighton faculty and U.S. licensed clinicians. The experience will also include working alongside practicing Dominican therapists, as well as physical therapy students from La Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. In addition to clinical work, students will serve communities by caring for children in an orphanage, providing medication to children in a Haitian batey and providing physical therapy services in rural villages.
Students in the program often grow both personally and professionally during their month in the Dominican Republic. They learn the importance of clinical practice within cultural context, as well as how to effectively practice with minimal resources. Group reflections, community living and cultural immersion experiences also promote learning and growth.
If you’re interested in details about the program, contact Julie Hoffman, PT, DPT or Maggie Schumacher, PT, DPT.
Enhance Your DPT with a Specialization Track
These specialization tracks create opportunities for physical therapy students to gain knowledge and practical experiences in areas of physical therapy beyond the required curriculum. They’re designed to prepare students for advanced career opportunities, residency education or the pursuit of an advanced degree. Any student in good academic standing is eligible to apply during the 4th semester of the DPT program. Upon meeting all specialization track requirements, graduates will earn a special designation on their transcripts.
Specialization Tracks
Sports Specialization Track
The Sports Specialization Track includes electives and specialty experiences focused on addressing the acute and clinical management of sports-related injuries, referral and return-to-activity decisions, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.
Research Specialization Track
The Research Specialization Track is focused on scientific inquiry in rehabilitation science. It includes opportunities for participation in a seminary series exploring critical questions, problems and contemporary issues in rehabilitation research. It also allows students to conduct research projects, under the direction and guidance of a faculty member, which may include a presentation or publication.
Women’s Health Specialization Track
The Women’s Health Specialization Track provides electives and specialty experiences related to pregnancy, postpartum and pelvic health. Students will gain experience in assessing and treating women’s health conditions, as well as the opportunity to explore critical issues and questions in this specialty patient population. Students will have a culminating experience, under the supervision of a faculty advisor, that involves developing a scholarly activity or patient education materials.
Accreditation
Omaha Program
The DPT Program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 402.280.2950 or email PTaccreditation@creighton.edu.
For complaints involving program accreditation and violation of accreditation standards, please review the policy information, which includes a form to submit complaints.
Complaints that fall outside of due process should be directed to Dr. Gail Jensen, Program Director of Physical Therapy Program, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at gailjensen@creighton.edu or Dr. Paul Price. Note that retaliation following a complaint submission is prohibited.
PT Program Outcomes
Omaha Program
- Graduation Rate
- 2024 - 99%
- 2023 - 100%
- 2 year Average – 99.5%
- National Licensure Examination - First Time Pass Rate
- 2024 – 85.8%
- 2023 – 85.4%
- 2 year Average – 85.6%
- National Licensure Examination - Ultimate Pass Rate
- 2024 – 98.8%*
- 2023 - 100%
- 2 year Average - 99.4%*
- Employment Rate (within 1 year of graduation)
- 2024 - 100%
- 2023 - 100%
- 2 year Average - 100%
* incomplete data; students still taking board exam
Information updated 11/15/24
“I love the community here because we all support one another.”
Makoa Paresa
Doctor of Physical Therapy Candidate
State Licensure
The physical therapy programs within the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions meet the appropriate and relevant degree requirements for licensure for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Welcoming You to a Tradition of Excellence and Innovation
Welcome to the Creighton University’s Department of Physical Therapy in Omaha—an epicenter of educational innovation, clinical excellence, and research. Our program not only pioneered the entry-level DPT movement in the United States but continues to shape the profession through innovation, evidence-based practice, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to serving others. It is this legacy of leadership and innovation that distinguishes us as pioneers within the physical therapy profession. Our graduates are not only prepared for the demands of clinical practice but also poised to drive innovation and improvement within the profession. As has often been said “we stand on the shoulders of giants” (Issac Newton).
Scholarship and Innovation
Our programs continue to grow, both in faculty and opportunities for our learners. The Department is currently thriving with more than 25 accomplished faculty members and an expansive network of clinical education partners across the country. Physical Therapy Faculty and students attract $2-3 million dollars of research funding annually (over 75% from NIH) which supports approximately 35 peer reviewed publications and over 100 State/National/International presentations each year. From developing new rehabilitation techniques to advancing the understanding of human movement across the lifespan—infants, children, older adults, athletes, and individuals with vestibular dysfunction—our research is at the forefront of the profession and the translation of research into clinical practice. Students are not only welcomed, but encouraged, to participate in research. This work not only contributes to the growing body of knowledge in physical therapy, but strengthens analytical and clinical reasoning skills, better preparing our graduates to be thoughtful, evidence-based practitioners.
Interprofessional Collaboration and Residency Programs
Healthcare is increasingly more complex and outcomes often reflect the ability of practitioners to function as a team. The program consists of a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning the full breadth of clinical practice—within and outside physical therapy—from acute care to community wellness, pediatrics to geriatrics, and specialty areas of clinical practice. We are proud to be part of a vibrant academic community within Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP), cultivating future leaders who embody both technical proficiency and a deep commitment to service. SPAHP includes the disciplines of Pharmacy, Occupational and Physical Therapy programs that are co-located with Medicine, Nursing and Exercise Science. Our state-of-the-art facilities include advanced simulation labs and collaborative learning environments that offer students a rich and immersive educational experience. This academic environment enables us to offer specialized tracks as well as residencies and fellowships in 6 areas of practice: orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, pelvic health and sports physical therapy in an interprofessional milieu that results in holistic development of our graduates.
The Creighton Difference
At Creighton, our longstanding tradition of distinction is rooted in a mission that weaves together transformative teaching, research, and exceptional patient care. This mission is aligned with Creighton’s core values of service, leadership, and community. You will often hear the phrase “cura personalis”—the care and development of the whole person—which serves as the cornerstone of our mission, vision and values. Equally, we aspire always toward “magis”, striving for ever greater excellence in all we do.
Creighton’s partnership with leading regional and national health systems—such as CHI Health and CommonSpirit Health—provides our students with unparalleled clinical training and access to a wide array of patient populations. These alliances are foundational to our mission, enabling us to combine academic rigor with real-world experience and to prepare graduates who are ready to lead in the evolving healthcare landscape.
At Creighton we are committed to service and community engagement and offer opportunities for students to apply their skills in real-world settings, both locally and globally. Whether through our international experience opportunities at the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) in the Dominican Republic, or local community outreach programs including the Monen Healthcare clinic, our Creighton Abilities basketball or soccer camp, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact while gaining invaluable, and often life-changing, experiences.
Our graduates are highly sought after by employers, consistently achieving outstanding outcomes on national licensure examinations and making meaningful contributions across the spectrum of physical therapy practice. They serve as clinicians, educators, researchers, and advocates, improving lives in their communities and beyond.
Whether you are a potential student or faculty member, choosing the right program is a significant decision—one that will shape your career and your life. It is as much about whether Creighton is a fit for you, as it is whether you are a fit for Creighton. Take the time to come and visit us so that you can make a well-informed decision.
Should you decide to become a “Blue Jay”, we know that you will be challenged academically but also supported personally. You will grow and be transformed, both as a clinician and as a person. Together, let us aspire to excellence, champion compassion, and transform the future of rehabilitation through human movement.
Thank you for your interest in Creighton University.
Warm Regards,
Linda J Woodhouse
Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy (Omaha)
