General Program Description

The DPT curriculum begins in June and continues for a total of 9 semesters including 3 summer sessions. The average semester includes 16 semester hours. Students are in class approximately 20 hours per week. The system-based courses are taught in a problem-based format with significant emphasis on small group work and the development of self-directed learning. Degrees are conferred in August. Graduates of the program are prepared as generalists who are capable of working in a variety of health care settings.

Clinical Experiences
Both part-time, integrated and full-time clinical education experiences are part of the professional curriculum.

Faculty
There are six full-time, three part-time core faculty members, and 20-25 part-time clinical adjunct faculty. Three of the faculty members hold PhDs, six hold professional doctoral degrees. Three faculty members are clinical specialists. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged five publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Enrollment
Simmons College has a total enrollment of approximately 4500 students. Undergraduate students are women only and number approximately 2,000. Graduate students number approximately 2,500 and are composed of men and women. Simmons College is a private institution; therefore, no preference is given to state residents.

Admission
Simmons has two pathways for entry into the DPT program – the undergraduate accelerated 3+3 program and the post-baccalaureate application process. Approximately one-half of the students in each class are accepted into the program from Simmons. Those accepted to Simmons undergraduate college as freshmen who meet the academic requirements established by the program, are eligible to progress into the professional curriculum as seniors. The other half of each class consists of students who already hold a baccalaureate degree from other institutions. The application deadline for admission for post-baccalaureate students is November 10th. For both groups of students a 3.0 prerequisite and 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for admission. Prerequisite courses include 2 courses in each of the following: chemistry (with lab), physics (with lab), anatomy and physiology (with lab), and psychology; and 1 semester of biology (with lab), exercise physiology and statistics. Additional requirements include thirty or more hours of volunteer or paid experience in a physical therapy setting. For post-baccalaureate students the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (taken within the past 5 years) is also required for admission to the program.

Outcomes
94% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 99% of graduates pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (3-year average; Ultimate pass rate)

Tuition, fees and financial aid
For the 2014-15 academic year, the tuition is $1,147 per credit hour. The fee for room and board is approximately $7,688 per semester. There is approximately $1,200 in additional fees for the year. For specific information, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 617-521-2001.

Student life
Simmons students benefit from the college’s location in Boston, a city steeped in historical and cultural tradition. It is one of the world’s largest medical centers, with more than 70 hospitals, dozens of health centers, and hundreds of other health-related organizations. The college has an athletic center that includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an indoor track, a dance studio, a weight room, a cardiovascular fitness room, an indoor rowing tank, racquetball courts, squash courts, and a large gym. Simmons College is located in the heart of the Longwood Medical Area, neighbor to the Harvard medical, dental, and public health schools and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s, and Children’s hospitals. Simmons is also near many of Boston’s cultural, educational, and social centers with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum next door and the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, and Fenway Park within a 5-minute walk. A world-class library provides electronic access to many health related journals. Parking is available to students who live off-campus.