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 doctorly prepared practitioners. Core courses within this physical therapy doctoral program include medical screening and nutrition, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, 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.
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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 will declare a track option — a clinical or education track. This will steer your elective choice and your Comprehensive Case Analysis Project in either a clinical or educational realm.
Program Objectives
- Gain the knowledge and skills required to competently screen patients for a variety of 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
Per the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the clinical DPT is now 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.