Doctorate of Physical Therapy

The Department of Physical Therapy currently consists of internationally renowned faculty and the world-class Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory which houses our clinical entity: Targeted Enhanced Athletic Movement(TEAM). TEAM translates the evidence produced by the HBAPL and by other scientists from around the globe into the clinical practice of injury prevention, athletic development, and rehabilitation. We are growing rapidly driven by an innovative vision so please visit with us regularly as we continue our exciting journey.

HPU’s Pro Bono Clinic sets its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program apart from others nationwide.

It’s the only full-time clinic of its kind in the country. Patients can come in without having insurance or seeing a doctor, and since opening in December 2017, the clinic has seen more than 900 patients. Many of the patients who come illustrate the growing diversity of North Carolina.

They speak 18 different languages and come from 35 different countries. At the clinic, HPU’s graduate students earning a doctorate in physical therapy take care of them.

Under the guidance of local licensed physical therapists and Dr. Garrett Naze, the clinician at the clinic,  small teams of DPT graduate students see patients. They spend one day a week at the clinic for three semesters before they start full-time clinic rotations nationwide.

PT students learn to treat more than just pain. They learn to listen. In turn, they learn the importance of what HPU physical therapy professor Dr. Alicia Emerson, the clinic director, calls “treating the whole patient.”