Doctor of Physical Therapy

Earn Your Doctor of Physical Therapy in Just 2.5 Years

Flexible. Mission-driven.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at College of Saint Mary develops compassionate, evidence-driven clinicians prepared to serve, lead, and advance the profession with purpose.

Program At  A Glance

  • 2.5-year hybrid program
  • Hybrid format includes online courses and in-person labs
  • Labs are held on-campus 6x per year
  • Two 16-week clinical experiences
  • One cohort at a time for individualized support
  • Clinical sites available across the U.S.
  • Dedicated faculty mentors committed to your success

  • Rooted in the Mercy tradition of compassionate service and leadership

Why Choose CSM?

Flexible Format
Study from where you live with a hybrid model built for working professionals and location-bound students.

Inclusive, Mission-Driven Faculty
Learn from expert clinicians and educators who reflect the communities you’ll serve.

Real-World Experience
Apply what you learn in medically complex and community-based settings with nationwide clinical partnerships.

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? College of Saint Mary’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts applications through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

Visit PTCAS.org to create your account, complete your application, and submit all required materials. Be sure to select College of Saint Mary as your designated program.

Nationally Recognized Faculty Experts

Our faculty & support staff are more than educators—they’re experienced clinicians, researchers, and mentors committed to your growth. With diverse backgrounds and national reach, they bring real-world insight into every course and support you every step of the way.

 Kimberly Varnado
Kimberly Varnado, PT, DPT, DHSc
Program Director & Professor
Anne Mejia-Downs
Anne Mejia-Downs, PT, MPH, PhD
Associate Professor
 Nipaporn Somyoo, PT, DPT, OCS
Nipaporn Somyoo, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor
 Eder Alejandro Garavito
Eder Alejandro Garavito, PT, DPT, CCS
Assistant Professor
Diane Wrisley, PT, PhD
Professor
Shannon Richardson, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Assistant Professor
Monica Dial, PT, DPT, NCS
Assistant Professor
Alex Scharmann, PT, DPT, OCS
Assistant Professor
Mica Mitchell, PT, DPT, C/NDT
Assistant Professor
Janet Kneiss, DPT, PhD
Associate Professor
Kristy M.B. Keefner, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS, MTC
Kendra Bryant
Clinical Coordinator
Alexandra Burdyny
Administrative Assistant
Make a Meaningful Impact—Right in Your Own Community

Physical therapy is a hands-on, patient-centered profession that helps people move better, recover from injury, manage pain, and improve quality of life. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, you’ll work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes—partnering with patients of all ages to help them reach their goals and live healthier, more active lives. It’s a career rooted in science, service, and impact.

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200+ Career Paths across clinical, academic, sports, and community health settings
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21% Job Growth projected for physical therapists through 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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$97,720 Median Salary for licensed physical therapists nationwide

Hear From Students Just Like You

See what it’s really like to be a student here, why they chose College of Saint Mary, the moments that made the biggest impact, and how their program is shaping their future.

Request More Information

Ready to take the next step? Fill out the form below to learn more about CSM’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, upcoming info sessions, and how to apply.

Talk To Admissions

Accreditation

College of Saint Mary is approved to offer online programming by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). College of Saint Mary is authorized to deliver online programs and courses to students residing in the United States, excluding U.S. territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. If you have questions about enrolling in the online program, contact Enrollment Services.