DPT Quarterly Newsletter

As we move into the second full year of Carlow University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, there is so much to celebrate—clinical milestones, student scholarship, vibrant learning spaces, and new faces on our growing faculty team. Rooted in Carlow’s mission of compassion, leadership, and service, the DPT program continues to prepare skilled, empathetic professionals who are ready to make a difference in their communities.

Whether you’re a clinical partner, faculty member, student, or supporter, we’re grateful to have you on this journey with us. Read on for highlights from across the program—and a glimpse into the momentum building toward full accreditation.

Clinical Partner Update

We are happy to share that Carlow DPT students are currently on full time clinical experiences! Carlow DPT Class of 2026 is participating in Terminal Clinical Experience I from July 14th to August 22nd, 2025 (6 weeks) as well as Terminal Clinical Experience II from September 2nd to November 21st, 2025 (12 weeks). Carlow DPT Class of 2027 is participating in their first full time integrated clinical experience from July 14th to August 22nd, 2025 (6 weeks).

Carlow DPT students are also beginning to have conversations on where they are going for clinical education experiences in 2026 for the following dates:

• January 12th- April 3rd, 2026 (12 weeks): Terminal Clinical Experience III
• July 13th – August 21st, 2026 (6 weeks): Integrated Clinical Experience and Terminal Clinical Experience I
• Tentative August 24th/31st- November 13th/20th 2026 (12 weeks)- Terminal Clinical Experience II

We are tremendously grateful to you, our clinical partners, for your openness to host Carlow DPT students for clinical placement!

Update provided by: Katie Shroyer PT,DPT, CBIS | Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Professor

Curriculum

The curriculum of Carlow University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is designed to prepare students for successful careers by fostering a holistic education that integrates knowledge (Head), skills (Hand), and professional formation and responsibilities (Heart). A study by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching examined curricula across five professions—medicine, nursing, engineering, law, and clergy—and identified a common gap: while institutions excelled in teaching knowledge and skills, they often neglected professional formation, which is vital for professions impacting human lives. Similarly, physical therapy educational research echoed these findings, calling for reform to equally emphasize the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains—the Head, Hand, and Heart.

At Carlow University, the opportunity to build a curriculum from the ground up allowed us to address this critical need directly. We designed a forward-thinking curriculum that prepares graduates to thrive in the dynamic, evolving healthcare environment. Our program prioritizes equal emphasis on developing habits of the Head (critical thinking and evidence-informed practice), Hand (clinical and technical skills), and Heart (empathy, compassion, and professional responsibilities).

Our curriculum ensures that students are equipped to become well-rounded healthcare professionals. They are trained to critically apply evidence-informed practices to treat patients with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and other system disorders. We strongly believe our program is one of the most comprehensive in the country, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care through cognitive, psychomotor, and affective development.

Key Curriculum Highlights emphasizing the Habits of the Heart

1. Interprofessional Education Courses:
   A series of three interprofessional courses (IPE I, II, and III) taken during the first year trains students to collaborate with peers in occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and physician assistant programs. These courses foster teamwork in healthcare, enhancing comprehensive patient care.
2. Art of Healthy Living:
   This course integrates lifestyle medicine principles, including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep hygiene, and positive social connections, into clinical practice. Students learn to treat patients holistically, addressing health needs beyond physical exercises.
3. Health Humanities:
   Collaborating with the English, Art, and Communication departments, we offer courses—Art of Healing I, II, and III—that develop empathy and compassion through the exploration of art, cinema, and literature. Students learn to understand and support their patients’ emotional and psychological journeys during healing.
4. Community Health and Wellness:
   Students are trained to address healthcare disparities and understand how social determinants impact health. This course equips students with tools to improve community health, going beyond traditional patient care.
5. Leadership and Entrepreneurship:
   To prepare graduates for leadership roles and entrepreneurial endeavors, this course is taught by physical therapists in leadership and business roles. Students gain insights into healthcare policy, economics, and management, ensuring they are well-prepared to advocate for their patients, communities, and profession.

Our mission is to develop evidence-informed, critically thinking, skilled practitioners and leaders who advocate for healthcare equity while serving their communities with empathy and compassion. By embedding habits of the Head, Hand, and Heart into our curriculum, we strive to fulfill our mission and equip our graduates to create a just and merciful world.

Update provided by: Kunal Bhanot, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT | Chair, Professor

Space Update: St. Agnes Lab

The updated classroom space in St. Agnes is designed to foster an engaging and dynamic learning environment. Fresh, vibrant paint brightens the room, creating a welcoming atmosphere that stimulates creativity and focus. The introduction of high-low mat tables offers versatile treatment and simulation options. Beautiful graphics showcasing our students in action add a personal touch, highlighting the energy and enthusiasm of the classroom. A large screen monitor further enhances the experience, allowing instructors to project live demonstrations of hands-on labs or lecture materials, ensuring that all students stay connected and engaged in the learning process.

Update provided by: Chelsey Wojcik Larko, PT, DPT, NCS | Assistant Professor

Social Update

At Carlow DPT, we believe in coming together beyond the classroom—celebrating community through our program potlucks, mentor matching and the meaningful tradition of our Pinning Ceremony.

At Carlow, we emphasize more than just academic excellence. We are deeply committed to fostering social connectedness and supporting the overall well-being of our students. These gatherings serve as a reminder that shared experiences, support, and celebration are essential parts of professional and personal growth.

Update provided by: Chelsey Wojcik Larko, PT, DPT, NCS | Assistant Professor

Student Update

CSM 2025 Update:

• All 19 students of the 2026 cohort have successfully attended CSM 2025 in Houston, Texas. Students were exposed to numerous networking opportunities in the exhibit hall in addition to being educated on new innovative technologies pertaining to the advancement of the physical therapy profession. Additionally, the students explored sessions from various sections including musculoskeletal, neuro, pediatric, clinical electrophysiology, wound care, and much more. 

Pro Bono Update:

• The 2026 cohort was privileged to participate in three different types of Pro Bono opportunities. Building on the pilot Pro Bono opportunities offered in the Fall of 2025, each student in the 2026 cohort successfully worked with the Convent, Life’s Work, and Carlow University’s athletics department to gain insight on how to apply physical therapy in the geriatric, special needs, and sports settings respectively.

Scholar’s Day:

• The 2026 and 2027 cohorts participated in Carlow University’s Scholar’s Day in April where they presented research posters for the Art of Healthy Living and Application of Research and Statistics courses. This event provided Carlow DPT students opportunites to engage in interprofessional networking and improve poster presentation skills.

Accreditation Statement

Effective April 25, 2023, the Carlow University Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT) has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Candidate for Accreditation is an accredited status of affiliation with CAPTE that indicates the program may matriculate students in the DPT courses. We started the program in Fall 2023 with 20 students. The program will be up for full Accreditation in May 2026. CAPTE will conduct an onsite visit in Fall 2025 and review the program’s application for full Accreditation in May 2026 before the graduation of our first cohort.