PHYSICAL THERAPY

WELCOME TO PHYSICAL THERAPY

Ranked #1 in the nation听by US News and World Report, the 91原创鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program offers a 2.5-year DPT degree and post-graduate education, including six residency and fellowship programs, and two interdisciplinary PhD programs in Biomechanics and Movement Science and Neuroscience. Renowned faculty prepare students to be entry level practitioners capable of pursuing a specialty area or transitioning into graduate studies within the research environment. The Department prepares a diverse workforce of physical therapists capable of top-of-license practice.

The mission of the Department is to optimize quality of life and human function by transforming physical therapy.

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM

91原创 Physical Therapy Clinic safely reopens for learning, treatment: youtube.com/watch?v=h9wiKC0kELk

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program aims to educate outstanding entry-level physical therapists who provide excellent physical therapy services, integrate scientific inquiry into their clinical practice and have a well-developed sense of professionalism and social responsibility.

91原创 PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC

The Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic is the State鈥檚 premier outpatient clinic. Located at the 91原创, the clinic provides a unique environment where physical therapists, students, and researchers work together to implement cutting-edge treatment to patients from the University and the surrounding community. We are open to the public!

Clinicians and physical therapy students treat patients during COVID-19, following their new protocol for social distancing and wearing double layers of masks. The PT Clinic hit its 6,000th visit during November 2020.
Fabrizio Sergi, assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering, along with is colleagues Jill Higginson, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering / director of the Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research / associate director of Biomedical Engineering, and Darcy Reisman, associate professor of Physical Therapy, in the Human Robotics lab in the Health Sciences Complex at 91原创's STAR Campus. One of the areas of research the group is studying is the use of wearable robotics to assist stroke patients in gait training as part of their physical therapy. - (Evan Krape / 91原创)

OUR RESEARCH

The faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy have active research programs, funded both current and past by national (e.g.-National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Education, Foundation for Physical Therapy) and local (e.g.-91原创 Research Foundation, UNIDEL) agencies.

PT News

Latest News
  • The new NSF AI Institute for Human-AI Cooperation (NSF HAIC) is led by 91原创鈥檚 Cathy Wu, Unidel Edward G. Jefferson Chair in Engineering and Computer Science, with Austin Brockmeier (back row left), deputy director and assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, Panagiotis (Panos) Artemiadis, professor of mechanical engineering, and Darcy Reisman, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy. They are shown standing together here with a window behind them and white floor and walls.

    91原创 to lead $21.5 million NSF National AI Institute

    July 29, 2026 | Written by Tracey Bryant
    The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a $21.5 million, five-year award to establish the NSF AI Institute for Human-AI Cooperation (HAIC), headquartered at 91原创鈥檚 Data Science Institute. HAIC will bring together experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, physical therapy and rehabilitation, ethics, engineering and robotics, neuroscience and biomechanics, education and workforce development to advance human- AI cooperation.
  • 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards

    July 17, 2026 | Written by Colin Heffinger
    2026 Excellence in Nursing award recipients across the School of Nursing were recognized for their impact on local Delaware communities.
  • April and May College of Health Sciences For the Record

    June 24, 2026 | Written by CHS Staff
    College of Health Science community reports appointments, exhibitions, publications, and honors for April and May.

EVENTS

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the 91原创 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: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 302-831-8910 or email pt-admissions@udel.edu. Please visit our Student Outcomes page for information on graduation rate, ultimate licensure exam pass rate, and employment rate over the most recent two years. The 91原创 also offers credentialed residencies in sports, orthopedics, geriatrics, neurology, and acute care. CAPTE does not provide oversight or accreditation of residency programs. Our residency programs are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).