dpt43 volunteer

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is a great opportunity for students who want to know what a day in the life of a physical therapist is like.  Students will be able to experience hands on learning and real-life situations outside of the classroom that are vital to a full circle learning experience. It is important that students expose themselves to various physical therapy settings and truly understand all aspects of the field. Students will be able to ask questions and perform light duties to help them understand how to apply skills they already have with knowledge they gained in the classroom. 

When should I volunteer?

It’s never too early to start volunteering, as students selected for the DPT 4+3 Program will need a minimum of 200 hours in two distinct physical therapy settings under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist by the time they apply to the graduate program. In the spring of sophomore year, students will be taking a course called “Observation in Physical Therapy” that will allow them to complete 50 hours of service in a physical therapy setting of their choosing. This leaves 150 hours of volunteering to be completed. Some of the best times to volunteer are over the summer or during the winter months when classes are not in session.

Will you accept High School Volunteer hours?

It is also worthy to take note that the DPT graduate program will accept hours of volunteering from high school.

If you are looking for places to volunteer, please follow this link to a directory where you can find a list of clinics and contact information: Internship Directory