The mission of Ithaca College's Physical Therapy Program is to graduate physical therapists prepared for autonomous, interprofessional practice who provide compassionate, evidence-based, ethical, legal, and culturally sensitive care to maximize the function, health and wellness of their patients, clients, and society. Our program promotes APTA Core Values along with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that prepares graduates to become life-long learners.
Mission and History
Everything about the D.P.T. Program's mission and history at Ithaca College.
Mission
Vision
To be an outstanding physical therapist education program that prepares students to serve society.
Values
Accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, inclusion, integrity, professional duty, social responsibility.
Philosophy of Education
Through a spiraling curriculum focusing on deeper learning, students have a foundation of knowledge, movement systems, clinical skills, and professional formation. They are engaged in learning through didactic study, simulation experiences, interprofessional collaboration, community engagement, experiential learning, clinical practice, scholarship, and service.
Program History
The Physical Therapy Program at Ithaca College has a long and proud history. As the Division of Physiotherapy located in the School of Health and Physical Education, the program was approved by the New York State Education Department and graduated its first class in 1948. Ours was one of the first programs in the nation to award the bachelor degree in physical therapy (most other programs awarded certificates in physical therapy with bachelor degrees in other disciplines). Beginning in 1959 seniors attended classes at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Bronx Municipal Hospital Center. This year also marked the first year that the program was accredited.
In 1961 the current South Hill campus in Ithaca opened and classes were relocated from a variety of downtown locations to the main campus. In 1971 the Division of Physical Therapy became housed in the new School of Allied Health Professions. Major curricular revisions began with the freshman class of 1978, providing a more balanced educational experience between the Ithaca and Bronx campuses. When the new School of Health Sciences and Human Performance was created in 1989, the program was incorporated into this unit as the Department of Physical Therapy.
In 1991 the senior year of the program (and then what would later be the fifth or graduate year) was moved from the Bronx campus to an Ithaca College facility in Rochester, New York, and a new affiliation began with the University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital. A milestone occurred in 1993: we graduated the last class in the bachelor degree program, appropriately termed “the B.S. stops here.” In the following year, 1994, we graduated our first class with the master of science degree in physical therapy.
The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree program was approved by Ithaca College Board of Trustees and the New York State Education Department in May 2004. Students entering as freshmen since 2006 are able to fulfill the requirements for a DPT in six years of study. From 2005-2010, students in the five-year BS/MS degree program had the option to obtain a transitional DPT degree by taking additional courses following completion of the MS degree.
In 2014, the program fully consolidated on the South Hill campus, enhancing integration across didactic, laboratory, and clinical learning environments. A second admission route, at the graduate level, was added in 2024.
Today, the Ithaca College DPT program is a high-performing, outcomes-driven program that prepares graduates for autonomous, collaborative practice in a dynamic healthcare environment. Program outcomes reflect this success: the program maintains a graduation rate of 96.5%, a 100% employment rate, and strong NPTE performance, including a 91.2% first-time pass rate in 2025 and an ultimate pass rate of 99.26% (2023–2024). These outcomes place the program among the stronger performers within New York State and nationally and underscore its effectiveness in preparing practice-ready clinicians.
The program typically enrolls approximately 65–75 students per cohort through a six-year direct-entry model, with a recently added graduate entry pathway. Ithaca College DPT students are consistently recognized by clinical instructors and employers as well-prepared for practice, particularly in the areas of neurologic rehabilitation and manual therapy.
The faculty represent a diverse range of clinical and scholarly expertise, including neurologic rehabilitation, orthopedic and manual therapy, biomechanics and movement analysis, pediatrics, cardiopulmonary care, and geriatrics. Faculty include board-certified clinical specialists and experienced clinicians and demonstrate ongoing scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and professional engagement. This breadth of expertise supports a comprehensive curriculum and prepares students for practice across the continuum of care.
The strength of the program is further reflected in its curriculum and clinical education model. Students benefit from early and integrated clinical experiences and three full-time clinical placements across diverse practice settings. Faculty-student ratios support the development of strong psychomotor skills, while comprehensive assessment strategies ensure readiness for clinical practice.
The program is deeply engaged with its community and the profession. Faculty and students contribute to a range of initiatives, including a pro bono OT/PT clinic, the Performing Arts and Wellness Initiative (PAWI), the Center for Life Skills (CLS), the Therapeutic Alliance Program (TAP), and the Parkinson Wellness Collaborative. These efforts reflect a commitment to service, community partnership, interprofessional collaborative practice, and experiential learning.
The Ithaca College PT program operates within a collaborative regional and national context, maintaining relationships with clinical partners and peer institutions across New York State and beyond. These partnerships support high-quality clinical education, ongoing program evaluation, and responsiveness to evolving professional expectations.