Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT

Designed for practicing physical therapists, the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) is an innovative, 100 percent online program. Integrating art and science, as well as professional and experiential learning, this curriculum provides the necessary coursework to earn a terminal doctoral degree in physical therapy.  Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy will enter the program as Direct Entry students and will be required to take a core of six courses plus two electives (33 quarter hours).  Students who have previously earned a master’s degree in physical therapy will be required to take five core courses and one elective (24 quarter hours).  All students will culminate their tDPT curriculum with the capstone course, Comprehensive Case Analysis (PTH 6900).  Students have an opportunity to prepare a comprehensive and publishable case report or other scholarly work in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a tDPT degree.

Upon entrance to the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students will select either the educational or clinical track to follow. Selecting the educational track will enable the student to focus their coursework within the educational realm. Selecting the clinical track will allow the student to focus on current clinical practice in their elective(s) as well as completing a capstone project within their clinical domain.

One of the two elective requirements may be waived in certain circumstances, i.e., if the physical therapist holds an ABPTS or similar certifications. In certain circumstances, other elective options may be considered with program director approval.  Students work with their advisor and the program director for their individual course plan of study. 

Note: 33 quarter hours are required for students entering with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PTH 6110	Diagnostic Imaging	4
PTH 6101	Medical Screening and Nutrition for Physical Therapists	5
PTH 6130	Pharmacology	3
PTH 6140	Motor Control	4
PTH 6200	Research Methods and Statistical Analysis	5
PTH 6900	Comprehensive Case Analysis	4

Upon entrance to the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students will select either the educational or clinical track. 

Educational Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PTH 6430	Educational Strategies for Effective Healthcare Delivery	4
PTH 6235	Administrative and Management Keys for Contemporary Physical Therapist Practice	4

Clinical Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete two of the following:		8
PTH 6480	Evidence-Based Exercise for the Older Adult
PTH 6490	Pediatric Physical Therapy: Emerging Topics and Evidence-Based Practice
PTH 6563	Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint
PTH 6564	Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lower Extremity: Hip, Knee, Foot, and Ankle

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

33 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required

Note: 24 quarter hours are required for students entering with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Core
PTH 6101	Medical Screening and Nutrition for Physical Therapists	5
PTH 6110	Diagnostic Imaging	4
PTH 6130	Pharmacology	3
PTH 6140	Motor Control	4
PTH 6900	Comprehensive Case Analysis	4

Upon entrance to the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students will select either the educational track or clinical track.

Educational Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PTH 6430	Educational Strategies for Effective Healthcare Delivery	4

Clinical Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following:		4
PTH 6480	Evidence-Based Exercise for the Older Adult
PTH 6490	Pediatric Physical Therapy: Emerging Topics and Evidence-Based Practice
PTH 6563	Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint
PTH 6564	Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lower Extremity: Hip, Knee, Foot, and Ankle

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

24 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required