Brenau rehabilitation practice

Department of Physical Therapy

Become a physical therapist who changes lives

Application Dates

The application for Summer 2027 opens June 15, 2026 in PTCAS.

Make your mark in a growing field that allows you to care for and better the lives of those around you. As a Brenau physical therapy doctoral student, you’ll gain invaluable clinical experience, professional training and critical career connections. Starting in your second semester, you’ll work with patients at Northeast Georgia Medical Center as part of Brenau’s Early Mobility Program. You’ll also have opportunities to help serve those in great need of better access to health care through Brenau’s student run Pro-Bono Clinic and the Moultrie Farm Workers Family Health Program. All of these early clinical exposures and your rigorous classroom and lab courses will prepare you to succeed in your career. Brenau’s Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates work in the physical therapy field, providing the highest level of care for their patients and their community.  

Ranked as a 2026 Best Graduate School by U.S. News and World Report

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  • Ivester College of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy

    Post Baccalaureate Physical Therapy Preparatory Program

    Post Baccalaureate / Post Bacc Certificate
  • Ivester College of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy

    Doctor of Physical Therapy

    Doctoral / DPT
Testimonials
Morgan Daniels
Our program guarantees great acquisition of knowledge and clinical skills. But, what makes Brenau’s PT program a gem, is the life changing relationships and experiences. The program facilitates holistic development of each and every one of us.
Morgan Daniels Doctor of Physical Therapy '23
Jeffrey May
The ability to get hands-on with patients in a meaningful manner has been pivotal to my success in not only classes, but also carrying over into my Clinical Education experiences. To be able to have such an impact on patients’ lives that would have otherwise not received care is something that constantly reminds me why I have such a passion for Physical Therapy.
Jeffrey May Doctor of Physical Therapy '23

Why Choose Brenau?

The Faculty

  • Focused on the individual student
  • Highly-respected nationally and internationally
  • Innovative and dynamic
  • Fully represented at the local, state and national levels in professional organizations

Early Patient Experience

Early Mobility Program: Starting in the second semester, students begin their clinical education rotations in an inpatient setting at the local Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Students will help patients get out of bed and moving soon after hospital procedures, an activity which leads to better patient outcomes.

Excellent Facilities

The DPT program is part of a $6.7 million dollar transformation of Brenau’s Downtown Center, where classes are held in the newly renovated 4,500 square foot event facility.

State-of-the-art Human Anatomy Lab located on the second floor of the Downtown Center features 10 cadaver dissection stations with modern camera and MondoPad recording and viewing options for students.

Student Outcomes

Graduation rate for students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Brenau University

Class Graduation Rate
Class of 2020 97.5%
Class of 2021 97.5%
Class of 2022 100%
Class of 2023 97.62%
Class of 2024 95%
Class of 2025 95%
2 year average of graduation rate 95%

State licensure exam pass rate for Brenau University Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates

Class Ultimate Pass Rate First Time Pass Rate for Brenau DPT First Time Pass rate for all of U.S. Test Takers
Class of 2021 100% 94.74% 88%
Class of 2022 100% 92.31% 86.2%
Class of 2023 100% 89.7% 86.3%
Class of 2024 100% 97.5% 88.9%
Class of 2025 100% 94.9% 87.6%
2 year average of exam pass rate 100% 96.2%

Employment rate for Brenau University Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates

Class 6 month employment rate
Class of 2020 100%
Class of 2021 100%
Class of 2022 100%
2 year average of employment rate 100%

Accreditation

The Department of Physical Therapy at Brenau University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email:  [email protected]; website:  https://www.capteonline.org.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 678-971-1832 or email [email protected].

Filing a complaint with CAPTE

DPT students may file a formal complaint against a physical therapy program with CAPTE if they feel a program is not in compliance with CAPTE Evaluative Criteria or if CAPTE expectations related to academic integrity have been violated.

Community Partners

If you are interested in engaging with us, whether it be to host an event or be a guest speaker for our students, please complete our form.

Our Faculty & Staff

Contact Us Today

Carly Esford
Director of Operations and Admissions Advisor
[email protected]
678-971-1841

Physical Therapy Faculty & Staff

Heather Ross, PT, MPT, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean of Ivester College of Health Sciences, Program Director & Department Chair of Physical Therapy, and Professor

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Heather Ross

Daniel Maddox, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Director of Clinical Education, Associate Professor

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Daniel Maddox

Carly Esford

Director of Operations and Admissions Advisor

Learn more