Welcome to NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Physical Therapy, located in the Gramercy section of New York City and close to world-class teaching hospitals. Here we educate students to become physical therapists and physical therapists to become researchers and advanced clinicians.
Our department has a remarkable history in physical therapy education, leadership, and innovation with many firsts, including:
- A baccalaureate/certificate program in 1927
- Post-professional MA program in pathokinesiology in 1943
- A PhD program in physical therapy in 1970
- New York State’s first doctor of physical therapy program in 1999
In 2010, we admitted our first class of physical therapists to the Clinical Residency Program in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, the first of its kind in the New York metropolitan region.
Our mission is to provide innovative physical therapy education that assures currency with the changing health-care environment. For those just entering the physical therapy profession, we aim to educate generalists who are evidence-based, ethical, life-long learners and leaders, capable of rendering independent judgments in the service of others. For physical therapists, we offer post-professional education and training needed to create and apply new knowledge in the health care environment.
Discover our program offerings, including our:
- Nationally recognized sequential curriculum in the entry-level doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree
- DPT for practicing physical therapists
- Research-intensive PhD program for physical therapists
On this site, you'll find more information about what makes our program unique, including:
- Small class sizes and open-door policy for student mentoring
- One-of-a-kind Master Clinician observations
- Outstanding clinical sites
- Stellar faculty
- The extraordinary resources NYU has to offer in culturally diverse and exhilarating New York City
Plan a visit, attend an open house, hear from students, read about our alumni, learn about our facilities, and discover the many other reasons why students come to NYU Steinhardt PT.
I look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Smita Rao, PT, PhD
Inaugural Robert S. Salant Endowed Associate Professor and
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
Smita Rao PT, PhD
Department Chair; Professor of Physical Therapy; Program Director in Physical Therapy Research (PhD)
Our Degrees
Doctoral
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Start your physical therapy career with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to gain the knowledge and clinical training necessary to practice physical therapy.
Doctoral
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Boost your physical therapy knowledge through the Doctor of Physical Therapy for practicing professionals. Full-time and part-time options are available.
Doctor of Philosophy
Physical Therapy Research
Graduates of the post-professional Research in Physical Therapy PhD are prepared for rigorous research careers in the profession of physical therapy.
Doctor of Philosophy
Rehabilitation Sciences
Prepare for a fulfilling academic career in research and teaching in the rehabilitation sciences through interdisciplinary study across health fields.
Department of
Physical Therapy
380 Second Avenue, Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-998-9400
Email: steinhardt.pt@nyu.edu