Pathways to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy

LVC provides one of the few direct-admit, first-year entry physical therapy programs in Pennsylvania. We also offer two separate pathways for early professional students and traditional graduate students.

Undergraduate Admission
Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Admission
Student Financial Fact Sheet (PDF)
Student training student working with athlete in lab

Real Patients in Real Settings

Via Advanced Facilities

Enter the world of a working physical therapist through the doors of our Jeanne and Edward H. Arnold Health Professions Pavilion. You’ll be mentored by faculty experts with experience in pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, acute care, and home health physical therapy.

Via Clinical Training

During select semesters, and in your fifth-year summer program, you’ll have a rigorous 30-week clinical education experience where you’ll interact with patients directly and help them on the road to recovery. You also can extend your clinical experience by serving the community in our student-led C.U.R.E. Clinic, which offers free services to uninsured patients from the community.

See the CURE Clinic
$95,620
median salary for physical therapists in the U.S.—in a growing field
17%
growth rate in the field of physical therapy 2021–31 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Top 20%
of Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America
100%
pass rate
100%
ultimate pass rate for the Physical Therapy exam
100%
employment rate
96.3%
first-time pass rate for licensure exam 2020–21 (two year average)
86%
graduation rate from the professional phase 2020–21 (two year average)

In Their Words

Unmatched Education
The education I’ve received from LVC PT faculty has been unmatched. I feel able to reach my full potential.
Lauren Vandenberg ’22, D’24
Leadership Skills
Typically, our students have more than one job offer, and they often move into leadership positions within a few years.
Dr. Katie Oriel, Professor of Physical Therapy
Strong Reputation
The strong reputation of the DPT program in the Central PA region and the C.U.R.E. student-run pro bono clinic were factors that influenced my decision to attend LVC.
Kristin Miller D’16, Physical Therapy Doctoral Graduate
The education I’ve received from LVC PT faculty has been unmatched. I feel able to reach my full potential.
Lauren Vandenberg ’22, D’24
Typically, our students have more than one job offer, and they often move into leadership positions within a few years.
Dr. Katie Oriel, Professor of Physical Therapy
The strong reputation of the DPT program in the Central PA region and the C.U.R.E. student-run pro bono clinic were factors that influenced my decision to attend LVC.
Kristin Miller D’16, Physical Therapy Doctoral Graduate
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Claudia Gazsi
Claudia Gazsi

Chair of Exercise Science

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

gazsi@lvc.edu

717-867-6846

AHPP 207
Dr. Justin T. Mierzwicki
Justin Mierzwicki

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

mierzwic@lvc.edu

717-867-6840

AHPP 211
Dr. Charles Salvo
Charles Salvo

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

salvo@lvc.edu

717-867-6857
Dr. Matthew M. Walko
Matthew Walko

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

walko@lvc.edu

717-867-6854

AHPP 215

Featured News & Stories

Browse All News
Griffin Weidler exercise science internship at Michigan State
LVC Exercise Science Major Interns with Big Ten Football Program
Physical therapy major Tate Murphy sings the national anthem at a Hershey Bears game
Skating on Ice and Starring on Stage
Lebanon Valley College doctor of physical therapy students present research at conference.
Physical Therapy Students Present Research at National Conference
Griffin Weidler exercise science internship at Michigan State
LVC Exercise Science Major Interns with Big Ten Football Program
Physical therapy major Tate Murphy sings the national anthem at a Hershey Bears game
Skating on Ice and Starring on Stage
Lebanon Valley College doctor of physical therapy students present research at conference.
Physical Therapy Students Present Research at National Conference

Picture Yourself Here

Physical therapist student working with patient.
Physical Therapy lab
Physical therapy lab
Physical therapist student working with patient.
Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates