DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy

Physical therapists (PT) diagnose and treat patients of all ages with injuries, movement disorders, or post-surgical rehabilitation. They work in healthcare settings across the care spectrum including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health. To practice as a physical therapist in the United States, you are required to have a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program and pass a state licensure exam.

Costs: Since DPT programs are offered at such a wide array of learning institutions, tuition costs vary significantly. However, the average cost of tuition is $10,000-$25,00 per year.

The admission requirements for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree will differ based on the program. The most common applicant criteria include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 to 3.0

• A CV/Resume 

• Personal Statement attesting to professional goals

• Professional Letters of Recommendation

• Work-related experience (volunteer service, internship experience, and/or paid work)

Some programs will require graduate school entrance exams such as the GRE or MAT.

Some DPT programs will admit students directly from high school into a DPT admission program pending completion of the required college course work with a minimum GPA.

The length of the DPT program is about three years. The didactic curriculum generally covers physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, and musculoskeletal. DPT students spend about 80% of their program in the didactic portion and the remaining 20% in clinical experiments. 

The Commission accredits DPT programs on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service allows DPT applicants to apply to multiple programs via a single online application.

PTs may also become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. These certifications validate expertise in specific specialties within the PT’s practice, such as geriatrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, and women's health.

Other related certifications include:

• FSBPT National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Oncologic Clinical Specialist (Oncology)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

• ABPTS Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

• Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)