Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Frequently Asked Questions
Lab and Clinical Education
How often are immersion labs scheduled?
Immersion labs are required, intensive, focused face to face interactions improving skills and knowledge on a specific topic. The immersion labs are highly organized and structured to maximize faculty and student time to learn and improve skill acquisition. Immersion labs are typically scheduled twice per term for eight to 12 days each lab immersion. There are roughly 90 days of immersion labs throughout the three-year program. Students are responsible for travel, housing, and food expenses, and any costs associated with emergency or other health care.
Will I be able to work while I am in the program?
The DPT program is a rigorous, full-time program. Generally, faculty recommend students do not work to ensure success. Students must be available for immersive skills labs, online synchronous learning sessions, and all clinical education experiences. If students are considering working, faculty recommend discussing this with their faculty advisor.
Can I work during my clinical rotations?
It is unlikely a student can meet the clinical expectations and work. Rotations are 40+ hours per week, requiring attendance each clinical working day. Students are not allowed to schedule clinical rotations around a work schedule.
Accreditation
Is the Allen College DPT program accredited?
Allen College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation and students are allowed to enroll in the program. However, achieving Candidate for Accreditation does not assure initial accreditation will be granted.
Please read the following on accreditation:
Accreditation and Status:
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: (703) 706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Effective November 3, 2020, the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Allen College has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (319) 226-2024 or email eric.arguello@allencollege.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
When will Allen College be notified if Candidacy is achieved?
Program Structure
What are the minimum technology requirements for the DPT Program?
What is the structure of the DPT program?
The program is a blended model including online learning and onsite lab immersions. Asynchronous learning occurs when students listen or view short lectures, view demonstrates, read articles or textbooks, and provide peer feedback. Synchronous activities occur when students meet online to discuss lectures, patient cases, and other activities as a whole class or small group. Asynchronous learning allows students to familiarize themselves with specific content, synchronous learning allows students to synthesize the content, and lab immersions allow students to apply knowledge.
What is a Blended or Hybrid format program?
A blended or hybrid program combines online and onsite learning activities, taking advantage of distance/online education with best practices in onsite interactions. Necessary computer skills and technology requirements are outlined on the website: https://www.allencollege.edu/computer-skills.aspx.
What is clinical education?
During clinical education students work alongside licensed physical therapists in a variety of settings to gain experience applying knowledge and skills with patients. Students complete four clinical experiences totaling 32 weeks throughout the program. Students are responsible for travel, housing expenses, and additional emergency or needed healthcare during clinical education experiences.
May I do my clinical rotations where I live?
The Director of Clinical Education develops clinical partnerships with facilities all over the country. The top priority is securing placements which allows students to gain practical experience caring for patients across the lifespan and with diagnoses representative of those typically seen in physical therapy practice, in settings across the continuum of care. Placement at a site is dependent upon multiple factors including which sites are available for a specified experience along with the patient populations or settings the student needs to create a well-rounded clinical education before graduation. Students have the opportunity to review available clinical sites and submit a list of preferences. This "wish list" is considered in the placement process. Assignments may require relocation for the duration of the experience and may involve additional costs. Students should not assume that appropriate clinical sites are available in their geographic area of residence. Likewise, students are not allowed to negotiate or find their own clinical sites at any time. Allen College observes restrictions on placements at sites which may pose a conflict of interest.
How long is the program?
The curriculum is nine semesters, including three summer sessions, and is completed in under three years. The length of the program and the hybrid model provides the best experience to learn without becoming overwhelmed.
Do I need to move to Waterloo to complete the program?
No, students can live wherever they desire and are able to travel to the lab immersion sessions held at Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa. Students are required to attend all lab immersions.
Will there be mandatory online classes I must attend?
Students have access to recorded lectures, videos, and reading content online, accessible at student's convenience. Students may access digital content as often as they desire. There may be occasions that synchronous sessions take place during the week at the discretion of the instructor. Students may also be assigned group projects requiring meetings in addition to regular course assignments.
What is the cost of the program
The estimated cost of the program is outlined on the Allen College Website. It is an estimate due to individual costs for travel and associated costs of lodging. The program is making efforts to provide preferred pricing at hotels in Waterloo, IA during lab immersions.
Student Financial Fact Sheet
Acceptance and Matriculation
The Allen College DPT program is approved to admit 24 students annually. The first cohorts have been small as this new program was implemented with class sizes ranging to 11 admitted students. For 2024, the DPT program plans to enroll 24 students, and applications are being accepted through PTCAS.
Contact Information
Where can I learn more about the physical therapy program at Allen College?
- Visit the Allen College directory page on PTCAS
- For questions regarding admissions please contact Admissions@allencollege.edu or (319) 226-2014.
Where do I send my official transcripts?