Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program, integrating professional and experiential education, provides the necessary knowledge base for today’s doctorally prepared practitioners.
Part-Time
Specifically designed for practicing physical therapists, the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is an innovative, 100%-online program. Integrating art and science, as well as professional and experiential education, the degree curriculum provides you with the necessary knowledge base for today’s doctorally prepared practitioners. Core courses within this physical therapy doctoral program include differential diagnosis and medical screening, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, nutrition, and motor control. The capstone course, Comprehensive Case Analysis, is a culmination of all work within the transitional DPT curriculum. Students will prepare a comprehensive and publishable case report or other scholarly work in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
More Details
Unique Features
- Designed for practicing physical therapists who currently hold a baccalaureate or master's degree in physical therapy.
- Online program allows for flexibility for working professionals.
- Students with a unique concentration interest can complete a directed study on a pre-approved topic of their choosing.
- Includes concentrations in a variety of areas such as orthopaedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, advanced nutrition, education, and business management.
Program Objectives
- Gain the knowledge and skills required to competently screen patients for musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and pulmonary, and integumentary conditions, interpret clinical findings, and make sound clinical judgments
- Evaluate the clinical interpretation of various medical imaging techniques, including plain film radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computerized tomography
- Write, refine, and analyze a comprehensive and publishable case report that addresses the patient/client management model, clinical decision-making processes, and resource utilization
- Examine current motor control concepts, along with state-of-the-art technology and equipment
- Review advanced pharmacologic management concepts, including the interrelationship between pharmacologic management and physical therapy interventions
Career Outlook
By the year 2020, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) envisions that the clinical DPT will become the profession’s terminal degree. In addition, degree-holders can expect to enjoy excellent job prospects for years to come. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow much faster than average for the foreseeable future. This growth can be attributed to an increasing elderly population, as well as medical and technological advancements—all of which are expected to drive demand for advanced rehabilitative and therapeutic services.
One recent DPT graduate wrote upon graduation, “A stagnant clinician is no longer acceptable. Today’s dynamic healthcare system requires an advanced clinician, and I believe this doctorate program provided the knowledge and practical skills a clinician needs to meet these demands. I, for one, feel I have evolved. I have left behind some old treatment patterns and comfort zones. Instead, I now strive to deliver the most current, evidence-based practice available.”