Doctor of Physical Therapy

Tuition is Locked-in rate per graduate credit hour: $1,080. Cost for the entire 110 credit-hour program: $118,800..

Messiah University's CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a full-time, in-person degree designed to prepare competent therapists. It provides a rigorous educational experience grounded in evidence-based practice, anatomy, movement science, and clinical reasoning. Students develop skills to help patients improve mobility, manage pain, prevent injury, and enhance quality of life across the lifespan.

This is a 110-credit program structured over eight semesters, including coursework and clinical education experiences starting in the first year.

Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination to become licensed physical therapists and practice in settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, and private practices.

Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory completion of undergraduate prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better and a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0. Required prerequisites include Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Chemistry (all with labs), Statistics, Psychology, and Medical Terminology. Admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review of each application.

The programme totals about 110 credit hours. Full-time, in-person, 8-semester completion. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 78% of applicants.

Messiah University’s identity is rooted in Christian community and the conviction that faith should shape academic and student life. Its motto, “Christ Preeminent,” guides the university’s approach to education, with values that include sharpening intellect, deepening Christian faith and inspiring action. The institution has grown into a private university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, serving 3,454 undergraduate and graduate students.

Academic options span more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 150 undergraduate and pre-professional degree options and more than 20 graduate degree and certificate programs. Areas of study are organized across interests and career fields. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program connects classroom learning, clinical expertise, scholarship and professional development. Faculty research and continuing education also extend into international clinical communities, including advanced manual therapy teaching in Rome.

The university’s 375-acre campus is in Mechanicsburg, in central Pennsylvania, and provides an active residential setting shaped by Christian community. Average class size is 20, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. International students should expect faith to be integrated into academic programs and daily experience, alongside opportunities for service, athletics and campus involvement. Students come from 33 states and 23 countries, adding an international dimension to campus life.