Orientation: Your starting point to success

Your journey to earning your DPT degree starts with a ½ day orientation session on the new Health Professions campus in beautiful historic Winchester. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful online learner toward completing their doctoral degree. You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and peers during a hosted luncheon reception. Meeting and networking with your student colleagues during this event will give you a strong start for working together in a collaborative manner in your classes in the program. This session is held in mid-August of your first year of study. The option for virtual attendance is available on a limited basis.

The Hooding Ceremony: The Finish Line!

Students return to Shenandoah University in mid-August of their final year of study for a 1/2 day immersive learning experience, followed by the doctoral Hooding Ceremony. There is no better way to commemorate your accomplishment of earning your DPT degree than to have invited friends and family gather together for this recognition ceremony, followed by a celebratory reception. The option for virtual attendance for the immersive learning experience session is available on a limited basis.

• FAQs T-DPT

Track I

This highly-immersive curriculum format is best-suited for the practicing physical therapist with a strong foundation in clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. The ability to dedicate time to managing a double course load is necessary to successfully follow this curriculum track. The program culminates in a capstone project, where the student will present a patient case from their practice that demonstrates strong clinical reasoning and clinical decision making skills, and the effective use of current clinical evidence. A capstone project with an administrative focus is also an option for clinicians in the management realm.

Individuals who have completed a Master’s in PT degree or for those BSPT-trained individuals who have completed an advanced master’s degree in a health-related field are eligible to take the Track 1 curriculum. Conferral of the DPT degree requires successful completion of 30 credits of related coursework. Students are required to complete 16 credits in the SU TDPT program, with 14 graduate level credit hours to be transferred in from their previous degree. Only courses in which the student has earned the equivalent of a “B-” or higher will be considered for transfer credit.

One Year Plan

Courses taken over 3 consecutive terms

Track II

This curriculum format provides the optimal work-life balance for the busy professional who is looking to advance their clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice skills. The program culminates in a capstone project, where the student will present a patient case from their practice that demonstrates strong clinical reasoning and clinical decision making skills, and the effective use of current clinical evidence. A capstone project with an administrative focus is also an option for clinicians in the management realm.

Individuals who have completed a Master’s in PT degree or for those BSPT-trained individuals who have completed an advanced master’s degree in a health-related field are eligible to take the Track 2 curriculum. Conferral of the DPT degree requires successful completion of 30 credits of related coursework. Students are required to complete 16 credits in the SU TDPT program, with 14 graduate level credit hours to be transferred in from their previous degree. Only courses in which the student has earned the equivalent of a “B-” or higher will be considered for transfer credit.

Two-Year Plan

Courses taken over 6 consecutive terms

Must have MPT or related health care master’s degree completed for this track

Track III

This curriculum format provides the optimal work-life balance for the busy professional who is looking to advance their clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice skills. The program culminates in a capstone project, where the student will present a patient case from their practice that demonstrates strong clinical reasoning and clinical decision making skills, and the effective use of current clinical evidence. A capstone project with an administrative focus is also an option for clinicians in the management realm.

Individuals who have completed a Master’s in PT degree or for those BSPT-trained individuals who have completed an advanced master’s degree in a health-related field are eligible to take the Track 2 curriculum. Conferral of the DPT degree requires successful completion of 30 credits of related coursework. Students are required to complete 16 credits in the SU TDPT program, with 14 graduate level credit hours to be transferred in from their previous degree. Only courses in which the student has earned the equivalent of a “B-” or higher will be considered for transfer credit.

B.S. to TDPT

Courses taken over 7 consecutive terms

Whether you enjoy access to shops, unique restaurants, clubs or national parks; want to serve the local community; or crave the culture, internships, museums and entertainment of a metropolitan region, you can find it in Winchester.

For more information about the area, visit

• Our Community page
• Discover Winchester

It is open to any currently U.S. and Canadian licensed practicing physical therapist with documented current PT practice experience in the US of at least one year.

Physical Therapy Application Information

Scholarships are available for SUPT alumni, employees of Clinical Sites for SU DPT, employees of Valley Health Systems, Inova Health Systems, and West Virginia University Hospital- East.

Selected courses are available to visiting students, and alumni seeking further continuing education.

Need more information? Contact us. 

Janine Hatch, PT, DPT, MS, GCS

DPT Associate Director
E-mail: jhatch@jdzruiran.com

Introduction and Course offerings:

Select courses in the Post-Professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy program are available to practicing physical therapists who may not be ready to enroll in the degree program, but may be seeking quality continuing education. We invite non-degree seeking practicing PT’s to take up to 3 of the following courses, offered in the spring, summer, and fall terms:

Visiting Student Registration Process

1. After submitting the online Visiting Student Application, you will be contacted within 1 to 3 business days by a Shenandoah Academic Advisor for assistance in completing a course registration form.
   • Special approval may be required to register for specific courses. If necessary, the Academic Advising Department will assist you with obtaining the required approvals.
2. You will receive an email to “Claim Your Credentials”. Please complete this process upon receipt of the email. This is how you access your username and create a password to use to log into  Hornet Hub . Hornet Hub is the Shenandoah student portal where you can view your student account and make payments when pre-registered for classes. The username and password is also used to enroll  and pay for specific classes available in Instant Enrollment.
3. Once your Course Registration form is submitted by Academic Advising to Hornet Central for processing, you will be contacted by a Student Financial Services Specialist from Hornet Central with instructions for making the required payment.
4. Once you are registered for a class(es), you will:
   • Receive an SU email account. Once your Shenandoah email account has been created, all communications from SU will be sent to your SU email account. Be sure to login and check this account regularly.
   • Receive access to SU Canvas where your course information will be located.

Registration dates and term start and end dates for the School of Health Professions courses can be found on the Visiting Student Registration webpage.

This is also where you will find the Visiting Student Application form, which will be available at the beginning of the term registration period.

Visiting Student Registration Webpage

Earn a Degree

Should a Visiting Student later apply for admission as a degree-seeking student, the regular admission procedure is then followed with the Office of Admissions.

Alumni Testimonials