Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions · Bachelor of Science

Physical Therapy Freshman Direct Entry

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Program Overview

Join One of the Fastest Growing Professions.

Physical therapists are movement specialists who help people of all ages reduce pain, improve mobility and restore function so they can enjoy a higher quality of life. Maryville's Freshman Direct Entry Physical Therapy program combines undergraduate and doctoral education into one seamless pathway, giving students a guaranteed seat in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program while preparing them to become compassionate, evidence-based clinicians.

What sets the program apart

    • Secure your place in Maryville's Doctor of Physical Therapy program as a freshman.
    • Study orthopedic, neurological and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation through rigorous classroom and clinical learning.
    • Complete 40 weeks of clinical education across more than 220 affiliated clinical sites.
    • Graduate prepared to improve mobility, reduce pain and restore independence for patients across the lifespan.

An Overview of Freshman Direct Entry Physical Therapy at Maryville

 
PT is essentially from what what I've found is like the ultimate culmination of all my interests. I do enjoy weight lifting and just understanding why certain exercises are maybe more effective, how to generate load, just kind of all the different ways that the human body reacts to different stimulus. The way that PT works is that you do all that stuff and you get to help people, which is another one of the big things that I know I wanted to do. A lot of the Maryville faculty, all all the advisors and the professors that I've had have been awesome. They've been very supportive. Specifically in the PT program, they truly just want you to succeed. Just finding ways for you to build support networks, have peers that you can study with. With. The program is designed for specifically the students that are actually going through it. So if you're interested in becoming a physical therapy student, come to Maryville, take a tour.
Why Maryville

Why Choose Freshman Direct Entry Physical Therapy at Maryville?

Class Size14

Average Class Size

SupportLife Coaching Team

A dedicated team of life coaches helps you personalize your education

Career Outcomes98%

Career outcomes rate for Maryville graduates

Financial Aid$59M+

Awarded in scholarships and aid last year

Get Started

Ready to apply or want to visit campus?

We've made it easy: free transcript evaluation, quick admission decisions, and no application fee.

  • Upcoming term starts:
  • Fall 2026 Start Date: August 24
  • Spring 2027 Start Date: January 11
Apply nowSchedule a campus visit
Career Outlook

What can I do with this degree?

Physical therapists continue to be in strong demand as healthcare providers focus on rehabilitation, injury prevention and helping patients maintain mobility throughout their lives.

Graduates pursue careers in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine facilities, schools, skilled nursing facilities and home healthcare organizations after completing the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Career Paths

Evaluate and treat patients with injuries, illnesses and movement disorders to restore function and improve quality of life.
Help athletes recover from injury, improve performance and safely return to competition.
Work with children and families to improve movement, coordination and physical development.
Treat musculoskeletal injuries and help patients recover after surgery or trauma.
Help patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury and neurological disorders regain independence.
Lead rehabilitation departments, oversee patient care and mentor future physical therapists.
$101,020Median Annual Salary

Median annual wage for physical therapists.

13,200Annual Job Openings

Average projected openings each year due to employment growth and workforce replacement.

11%Projected Job Growth

Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024–2034.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapists. Median wage data from May 2024 and employment projections for 2024–2034. Career outcomes vary by location, employer, experience and specialty.

Admission Requirements, Curriculum & Courses

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements Discover requirements for a freshman, transfer, or international student.Course Descriptions Explore our catalog for details about the course requirements and electives.Degree Planning Sheet A sample plan of study

Want to learn more about our course offerings?

Detailed course descriptions and prerequisites are listed in our catalog.

Read full course descriptionsExplore the full catalog
Program Resources & Policies

Program resources and policies

Essential Functions The physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required of DPT students.Fees Program-specific fees beyond tuition, listed by year.Grading Policies How coursework and clinical performance are evaluated and progressed.Clinical Education Clinical rotation structure, sites, and expectations across the curriculum.Program Accreditation CAPTE accreditation status for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Tuition, Cost & Savings

How you can afford an education.

An investment in your future shouldn't be out of reach. Maryville offers multiple paths to reduce your out-of-pocket cost — and our team will help you find every one you qualify for.

Ways to Save

Scholarship OpportunitiesMerit and need-based awards for qualifying students.
Transfer CreditApply previously earned credits toward your degree.
Benefits for MilitaryTuition assistance and GI Bill benefits for those who served.

Estimated tuition cost breakdown

Full-Time Tuition$25,766
Fees*$2,600
Estimated total cost**$28,366

*Fees can include digital course materials and textbooks/lab materials.

**Estimated cost does not include room and board or meal plans.

Explore additional tuition and costs

Need help financing your education? Get in touch!

Our financial aid advisors are here to walk you through scholarships, grants, and aid options for the Physical Therapy program.

Financial Aid InformationContact the Financial Aid Office
Accreditation

Maryville is accredited.

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Honors & Rankings

  • Kiplinger Best College Values 2019Ranked among the best values in private colleges by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
  • Forbes America's Top Colleges 2018Ranked among “America's Top Colleges” by Forbes.
  • Ranked No. 1 in social mobility among private universities in St. Louis.
  • Best for Vets Colleges 2022 Military Times. We made the list!Named Best for Vets among colleges by Military Times.
Review Maryville's full list of honors and rankings
Take the Next Step

Ready to take the next step?

Apply today, request more information, or schedule a visit to see if Maryville is the right fit for you.

Apply nowRequest more informationSchedule a campus visit

Frequently Asked Questions

Maryville's Freshman Direct Entry program allows qualified students to enter as freshmen with a reserved place in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, provided they maintain the required academic standards.
The program is completed over six and one-half years, combining undergraduate study with the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum.
Students complete 40 weeks of clinical education at more than 220 affiliated clinical sites across hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare settings.
Students learn to evaluate and treat patients with orthopedic, neurological and cardiopulmonary conditions while developing the skills needed to care for patients across the lifespan.
Graduates become licensed physical therapists working in hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports medicine facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools, home healthcare organizations and many other healthcare environments.
Maryville offers guaranteed progression into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program for qualified students, extensive clinical education, experienced faculty and partnerships with more than 220 clinical sites to prepare graduates for successful careers.