June 3, 2021: After receiving 5-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in November of 2020, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam for the inaugural class, a milestone moment for the program.

“It is a milestone for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, but also one for Marist, as this is its first doctoral offering,” Dr. Claudia Fenderson, Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, said.

Years in the making, the DPT program is a full-time 115-credit program preparing students to take the National Physical Therapy Exam, their gateway into a career in Physical Therapy. “For the DPT Program, this is the culmination of a six-year journey that spans the demonstration of the need for the Program, building support from the community, gaining State approval, recruiting faculty, staff and students, and finally gaining full national accreditation,” Fenderson said.

The inaugural cohort of the DPT program graduated in May and left a lasting mark on the program in a way that no other class would have the opportunity to. The students grasped their significance in shaping the course and provided valuable feedback to instructors so the courses can be shaped into a leading Physical Therapy program.

“The first cohort understood that their feedback was valued and necessary as it was used to inform the decision-making process about many areas of the Program, including the curriculum, teaching methodology, and the need for additional resources. When they engaged in full-time clinical experiences, the students provided information regarding their perceptions of strengths of the program and areas needing improvement,” Fenderson said.

Yara Adely (left) and Jose Reyes (right) at the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony

One of the key benefits that are offered at Marist is the ability to create one-on-one relationships with professors in your field of study, a value not lost in the DPT program either. “All of their courses are taught by the program faculty who get to know the students extremely well,” Fenderson said. “The close interaction between faculty and students allows for support of the students academically, professionally, and emotionally.”

Walking across the stage at the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony, the inaugural class is leaving Marist with a wealth of knowledge and the support of proud faculty. “I am delighted to welcome these students into the physical therapy profession. I value being able to view them as my peers and wish them the best in all of their future endeavors,” Fenderson said.