How Long Does It Take to Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree?

Anyone beginning the process of exploring what it takes to become a physical therapist might be surprised—even put off—to learn that the entry-level degree necessary for state licensure is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).

But have no fear. The good news is that DPT students have a much shorter course of study than medical students pursuing their MD (which is four years for the degree, plus three to seven in a residency). A DPT typically can be earned in less than three years, including several terms of clinical practice.

In this article, we’ll explain how much time to expect to dedicate toward completing your full-time DPT program, including details like:

• DPT curriculum
• Residential vs. hybrid/online Doctor of Physical Therapy programs
• DPT admissions requirements
• What will my career look like once I earn a DPT?

DPT curriculum

So what can you expect to actually cover in a physical therapist program? First of all, it’s important to remember that PT students already have earned STEM-related bachelor’s degrees and are starting their studies with a range of prerequisite courses on their transcripts.

The first several terms of a DPT program focus on a range of health care subjects: human anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology. These are followed by courses on the techniques of PT itself, incorporating more hands-on labs along the way.

As your studies progress, you’ll have the ability to add electives that are aligned with your intended specialty. These electives will build toward the culmination of the program: clinical education.

Coursework

Every Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited program approaches their DPT curriculum in a unique way. Arcadia University, for example, starts off with 20 courses that all are related to physical therapy cases. The University of Pittsburgh’s program, on the other hand, combines courses in:

• Basic health science
• Clinical education
• Clinical science
• Critical Inquiry
• Leadership and professional development

You should be able to look at any prospective school’s curriculum and discern a clear path from foundational PT courses through to culminating work in a clinical setting.

In the first several terms, you will likely see courses that cover:

• Biomechanics: Study of the mechanical principles of human movement, analyzing forces and their effects on the body.
• Cardiopulmonology: Focus on the assessment and treatment of patients with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
• Exercise Physiology: Examination of the physiological responses and adaptations to physical activity and exercise.
• Geriatric Physical Therapy: Specialization in the treatment and care of older adults, addressing age-related conditions and promoting mobility and function.
• Kinesiology: Study of human movement, incorporating anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to understand motion.
• Musculoskeletal Topics: In-depth study of disorders affecting muscles, bones, and joints, including diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
• Orthopedic Topics: Focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal system injuries and disorders, particularly those related to bones and joints.
• Pharmacology: Study of drugs and their effects on the body, including how medications are used in the treatment of various physical therapy conditions.

As the program progresses, expect to take more courses related to physical therapy devices, approaches, and procedures, such as:

• Biophysical Agents: Use of physical modalities such as heat, cold, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing.
• Clinical Reasoning: Process of evaluating and synthesizing clinical information to make informed decisions about patient care and treatment plans.
• Fitness Theory and Practice: Understanding principles of fitness and designing exercise programs to improve physical health, endurance, strength, and overall well-being.
• Imaging: Utilization of diagnostic tools like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to assess and diagnose musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
• Integrative Care: Holistic approach that combines conventional physical therapy techniques with complementary therapies to address the whole person and optimize health outcomes.
• Manual Techniques: Hands-on methods such as mobilization, manipulation, and massage used to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance function.
• Nutrition: Understanding the role of diet and nutrition in physical health and recovery, and providing guidance on healthy eating habits to support therapy outcomes.
• Patient Communication: Developing effective communication skills to interact with patients, understand their needs, provide education, and ensure they are engaged in their treatment plans.

Some schools also will incorporate topics like business practices and management care systems to help prepare you for the day you’ll be a working physical therapist.

Laboratories/immersions

In such a hands-on field, standard education courses are interspersed with labs, immersions, and on-site clinical work. Students will immediately engage in lab work, putting to practice the complex skills learned through coursework. This provides the chance for students to work under the supervision of faculty before transitioning to a professional clinical setting. Depending on the program, you could spend as many as 36 to 42 weeks working with a professional clinical program.

Winston-Salem State University, one of the top HBCUs that excel in PT, connects with over 200 sites for students to complete their clinical immersion. Over the course of four sections of clinical work, students must establish and achieve clear objectives to smoothly enter their careers. These include:

• Discussing and diagnosing a course of treatment
• Handling a full caseload of inpatients or outpatients
• Mastering professional “entry-level” skills
• Supervising staff
• Understanding patient documentation process

Residential vs. hybrid/online DPT programs

At first glance, you might assume that the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree couldn’t be effectively earned through an online program. With so many practical elements, how is this possible?

The University of Pittsburgh offers a hybrid option that nearly mirrors its in-person degree program. Hybrid students complete the majority of their school work online from home. Synchronous lectures are mixed in with asynchronous, self-driven coursework.

However, twice a semester, these off-campus students travel to Pitt for six to nine days, where they have the opportunity to work directly with faculty, complete in-person labs, and connect with their classmates.

DPT admissions requirements

Unlike many doctoral programs, you do not need a master’s for admission to a DPT program. You will, however, need a bachelor’s in a STEM-related degree.

Here’s what you can expect from the DPT application checklist:

• Career-focused essay questions
• An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• Minimum number of hours of PT observation
• Prerequisite health science courses
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• Undergraduate degree (traditionally a bachelor’s)

Take note that the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers a program known as the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, or PTCAS. Much like the common application for undergrads, the PTCAS offers a standard application process to apply for several universities at once. Not all schools participate, but it can help streamline your application process.

How long does it take to earn a DPT?

The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree takes between two and three years to complete. Most schools require taking between seven and nine consecutive terms for completion.

Additionally, you can expect to enroll with your cohort of students at the same time. New York University, for example, starts in the summer, with application deadlines the fall and winters before. Pitt, on the other hand, always launches in the fall and ends just about two years later.

When looking for the ideal school, keep an eye out for the two or three-year graduation or pass rate. This is a key indicator of how often students can balance the intense program and clinical placement over the many terms.

3 + 3 programs

Some schools permit students to combine their undergraduate and doctorate degree in what’s called a 3 + 3 program. This APTA-approved curriculum provides a PT career path for students right out of high school.

In the first three years, students complete the necessary prerequisite undergraduate courses necessary to advance to the DPT program, and spend the remaining three years taking their DPT coursework.

What will my PT career look like once I earn a DPT?

So much of choosing a career path comes down to imagining what your day-to-day life will look like after graduation. As a physical therapist, you can make a direct impact on someone’s quality of life every day. You’ll get to know your patients over the course of many sessions, build a dynamic plan for their recovery, and watch them move past the challenges of illness and injury.

You can also tailor your career to your specific passions and the current demand for experts in the field. For example, you may choose to work with children with developmental disabilities. Or, since PT is becoming even more important after the COVID-19 pandemic, you can study geriatric PT to work with older adults who were essentially shut-in during the pandemic lockdown or treat their symptoms of long-haul COVID.

After you pass your state licensure exam, you will have the option to work in a very wide field of PT specialties, including:

• Acute Care Physical Therapist: Specializes in providing therapy to patients in hospital settings, focusing on early mobility, function restoration, and preventing complications during hospitalization.
• Adult Neurological Physical Therapist: Works with adults who have neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis to improve movement, balance, and overall function.
• Cardio and Pulmonary Physical Therapist: Focuses on treating patients with heart and lung conditions, helping to improve cardiovascular endurance, respiratory function, and overall physical fitness.
• Geriatric Physical Therapist: Specializes in the care of older adults, addressing age-related issues such as arthritis, osteoporosis, balance disorders, and mobility limitations.
• Occupational Physical Therapist: Helps patients improve their ability to perform daily activities and work tasks, often integrating physical therapy techniques with occupational therapy principles.
• Oncology Physical Therapist: Provides therapy to patients with cancer, aiming to improve quality of life, manage symptoms, and address the physical side effects of cancer treatment.
• Orthopedic Physical Therapist: Focuses on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, including fractures, sprains, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
• Pediatric Physical Therapist: Works with infants, children, and adolescents to address developmental delays, congenital disorders, and injuries, promoting optimal physical development and function.
• Sports Physical Therapist: Specializes in the treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries, helping athletes recover and improve performance through targeted exercise and rehabilitation programs.
• Travel Physical Therapist: Works on short-term contracts in various locations, providing physical therapy services in diverse settings, often filling in where there is a high demand for therapists.
• Vestibular Rehabilitation Physical Therapist: Focuses on treating patients with balance disorders and dizziness, often related to inner ear problems, to improve stability and reduce fall risk.

According to US News and World Report, physical therapy is one of the top healthcare jobs, with average salaries around $90,000 a year (though you may earn much more, depending on your industry and location).

However, the report also considers the stress level of being a PT specialist above average, and for good reason. The physical demands—both being on your feet and performing the techniques themselves—can be taxing over time, leading to burnout.

As a professional physical therapist, you must keep a balanced and physically healthy life yourself to care for patients with such a wide range of needs. However, the right DPT program and clinical residency will effectively prepare you for your career so you’re ready for whatever challenges come your way.

Questions or feedback? Email editor@noodle.com