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Commencement Ceremony • Arena and Convocation Center • 1:30 p.m. (doors open 12:45 p.m., close 1:15 p.m.) • Overflow in Alumni Hall •

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµAPK Commencement 2026

Get all the details for Commencement week — ceremonies, events, and celebrations honoring the Class of 2026.

Visit Commencement Page

DPT Curriculum

Transform The Way You Learn

The Marian Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum is designed around a transformative curricular philosophy that integrates competency-based assessment, Master Adaptive Learner approach, and Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµAPK’s Franciscan values to prepare autonomous, adaptive, and compassionate physical therapists.  

Competency-Based Assessment

Our competency-based assessment framework is aligned with the American Physical Therapy Association’s “ .

Domains of Competence

The Marian DPT program incorporates the APTA Domains of Competence across seven curricular tracks.

APTA Domains of Competence
Curricular Tracks Knowledge for Practice Communication Patient/Client Care & Service Professionalism Practice Management Reflective Practice Education & Learning System-Based Practice
Professional Identity Formation
Evidence-Informed Practice
Scholarly Project
Foundational Science
Integrative Clinical Practice
Systems-Based Practice
Clinical Education

The Marian DPT program utilizes an ongoing assessment framework to provide students with regular updates on their competence progression. We de-emphasize grades to encourage collaborative learning, ensuring that students are competent and ready for interprofessional clinical practice.

Other important curricular threads emphasized throughout the program include collaboration, body systems, lifespan, and continuum of care.

Master Adaptive Learner

A Master Adaptive Learner is a professional who continually improves their practice by identifying learning needs (gaps in knowledge), seeking and applying new knowledge, and assessing outcomes to refine performance. This approach emphasizes:

Curiosity

Motivation

Growth Mindset

Resilience

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµAPK's Franciscan Values

The DPT program curriculum is grounded in the MU Franciscan Values.Franciscan Values Circle

The cross outside the Evans Center

Curriculum Schedule

The Marian DPT curriculum spans 28 months with 7 semesters and 105 credit hours. Learners complete up to 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences.

DPT Curriculum Schedule

yellow square

Didactic Education – Courses occur in a traditional classroom setting

Blue squareClinical Education – Students participate in integrated clinical experiences or full-time clinicals

Gray SquareOff – Break 

 

Each curricular track includes a series of 2-6 courses integrated across the 7-semester curriculum.

Semesters
 Curricular Tracks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Professional Identity Formation
Evidence-Informed Practice
Scholarly Project
Foundational Science
Integrative Clinical Practice
Systems-Based Practice
Clinical Education

DPT Admission Info

(317) 955-6400
GRAdmissions@marian.edu

Program-Specific Info

Stephanie Miller, PT, Ph.D.
Program Director and Professor
(317) 955-6317
smiller1@marian.edu

Health Professions Financial Aid

hpfinaid@marian.edu

July 1, 2026, Financial Aid Updates