Overview

The transition Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) degree is a post-professional educational experience designed specifically for practicing physical therapy professionals. The tDPT degree enables a licensed physical therapist to bridge the gap between their professional master’s or bachelor’s degree physical therapy education and the current entry-level clinical doctorate (DPT) education. The program is offered in a web-based, distance education format to accommodate clinicians’ scheduling demands at work and home.

Curriculum

The tDPT degree is offered as 16 credits beyond an entry-level master’s degree in physical therapy. The program consists of four web-based courses (4 credits each) in the areas of: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Pharmacology, Pathology, and Diagnosis. All four courses are offered entirely on-line with optional on-campus discussion/review sessions offered one or two times each semester. Each course also includes a clinical case-based research component that culminates with a capstone experience (see below) in the final semester (in PT 754T Diagnosis). Additional coursework is required for students admitted with an entry-level bachelor’s degree (25 credit program).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess a valid physical therapy license and must have completed at least one year of clinical experience as a physical therapist. Successful applicants with an entry-level master’s degree in physical therapy will be admitted to the 16 credit tDPT program. Applicants with an entry-level baccalaureate degree in physical therapy will be assessed on a case-by-case basis (by means of a Professional Portfolio) to determine the prerequisites for entry into the tDPT program.

Capstone Experience

The tDPT curriculum contains a clinical research component in which students use an actual patient case to augment course material. Each of the four tDPT major courses focuses on an aspect of patient case management relevant to the course material. The Diagnosis course integrates all of the areas into a final case report project that is prepared in accordance with the guidelines for manuscript submission of the Physical Therapy journal.

tDPT Requirements for Entry-Level Master’s Degree Students

tDPT Requirements for Entry-Level Bachelor’s Degree Students

* Taken during final semester