School of Physical Therapy
As a public university for the public good, BGSU is dedicated to developing Doctors of Physical Therapy to meet the growing need for professionals in this field.
BGSU School of Physical Therapy is committed to establishing a diverse community of students, educators, and staff. We value all dimensions of diversity and actively pursue recruitment, admissions, and retention practices that enhance the representation of minoritized groups within the physical therapy profession. We respect the values, beliefs, and opinions of all community members. We understand that a diverse community is a stronger community for the public good.
The School of Physical Therapy houses BGSU’s developing Doctor of Physical Therapy program within the College of Health and Human Services. The graduate program will integrate innovative technology that supports a two-year accelerated, hybrid program, allowing students to complete coursework online and participate in onsite lab immersion instruction. The hybrid model enables students to complete coursework from anywhere in the country.
Accreditation Information
BGSU has obtained approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the DPT degree. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) granted BGSU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Candidate for Accreditation status on May 10, 2022.
National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) information for prospective students
Below is the U.S. Dept of Education (USDE) rule change which allows students enrolled in institutions with Candidate for Accreditation or "pre-accreditation" status to sit for the licensure exam immediately upon graduation. Further, because of this rule change, initial accreditation status is no longer required to sit for the exam. Additionally, cohort number two (2025 graduating class) may complete the program and take the exam if initial accreditation is not granted, due to the reconsideration and appeal processes (a year-long process).
From US Department of Education. Effective July 01, 2020: "All credits and degrees earned and issued by an institution or program holding pre-accreditation from a nationally recognized agency are considered by the Secretary to be from an accredited institution or program."
From CAPTE Changes in the Rules. April 2020. "Per USDE regulations, all credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program."
Effective May 10, 2022, the Bowling Green State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program 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 419-216-0002 or email dpt-admissions@bgsu.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.
State Authorization
Bowling Green State University seeks to make available all online programs/courses to residents of Tennessee and other states, and to allow completion of required clinical or practical experiences in those states. We work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process and with states directly to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, required approvals are secured (such as California where South College is approved as an Out-Of-State Registered Institution). Tennessee is a member of SARA and South College is an approved SARA institution. As such, we adhere to a set of national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. SARA also covers all interstate placements in clinical or practical situations among SARA member states, no matter the nature of the main program. All states are SARA members except for California. While we do monitor the laws in each state, authorization of distance education is a dynamic environment and prospective students should check this site often for updates. It is the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements in their state of residence.
Exploring Physical Therapy Careers
BGSU DPT graduates will have the opportunity to practice across a spectrum of settings: outpatient clinics, hospitals and critical care units, people’s homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities and workplaces, to name a few. The median salary in the United States for a licensed physical therapist is $85,000. Salary and demand vary based on degree, location, position, years of experience, and setting.
If you’re considering applying for BGSU’s developing DPT program in the future, think about an undergraduate degree in Applied Health Science or Exercise Science from BGSU!
General Application Process to Physical Therapist Education Programs
Any member of the community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint without fear of retaliation. Anonymous complaints may be made by reporting online at Report an Incident.
Our EthicsPoint Hotline is an anonymous tip hotline solution managed through a third party organization, NavexGlobal.
A complaint can be filed via an electronic link on various University websites, including the link on the School of Physical Therapy webpage, as well as through a telephone call to an 866 toll-free number (1-866-879-0426).
The complaint details are taken either via the link or by an operator and questions are asked in order to identify the type of concern that is being reported as well as to get the details of the situation from the person contacting the Hotline. The individual is free to identify themselves or to remain anonymous. Once the individual reports their concerns, they are given a report key and password that allows both them to contact the Hotline and add to the issue and also allows them to sign in and respond to follow up questions that the University may ask to clarify the situation. This web-based access is managed completely through NavexGlobal’s system and maintains the anonymity between the University and the Tipster. When a concern is made through the NavexGlobal system, the University is alerted via an email.
The email is sent to two individuals. All emails are sent to the Director of Internal Audit, as the individual assigned as the primary contact. Depending on the type of tip, it is also sent to one of three other individuals, either the Chief Human Resource Officer if it falls within this discipline, the Chief Information Officer if it falls within a concern related to IT breaches or concerns, or the Chief of Police if it relates to public safety. Depending on the concern/tip and if the School of Physical Therapy were involved, the Program Director would be identified as an individual that was necessary in the resolution to the concern and would be contacted.
The concern is addressed by the appropriate individual depending on the type of issue and the NavexGlobal system offers the ability to track and document the resolution of any tip.
3341-5-41 Non-Discrimination in Employment and Education
(A) Policy Statement and Purpose
Bowling Green State University is committed to maintaining an employment and educational environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected class: age (40 years of age or older), ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, special disabled or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic (including status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, and status as a foster parent as those terms are defined in Ohio law). All members of the University have the right to work and learn in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment and educational opportunities.
This policy is intended to prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment and education in accordance with applicable laws. Those laws include, but are not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008); the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; Chapter 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code; and any applicable Executive Order.
Equal Opportunity Policies
Non-Discrimination Policy
Bowling Green State University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity. The University provides access to educational programs and activities without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, or status as a veteran. Any grievance regarding alleged discrimination due to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, or status as a veteran shall be reported to the Office of Human Resources, 1851 N. Research Drive, 419-372-8421. If both parties are students, complaints should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students, 303 University Hall, 419-372-2843.
Racial and Ethnic Harassment or Discrimination
The policy of Bowling Green State University is that racial and ethnic harassment or any form of discrimination will not be condoned. Moreover, the University will use its influence to encourage the community-at-large to treat its students, faculty and staff and affiliated visitors in a manner consistent with the principles of this policy. The policy is in keeping with the spirit and intent of federal, state, municipal and University guidelines governing racial and ethnic harassment of any form of discrimination.
Updated: 04/03/2024 12:14PM