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10 Best Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) – Best Schools and Info Guide

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: March 27, 2024, Reading time: 20 minutes

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The Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree program is an advanced course of study focused on preparing graduates to become skilled physical therapists. The course of study emphasizes the development of clinical and research skills through extensive supervised clinical internships, coursework, and research opportunities.

Physical therapists work in physical rehabilitation centers, clinics, hospitals, or private practice. These health workers provide personalized therapy treatments and care for patients with health conditions or physical injuries.

But the very reason why a doctoral degree in physical therapy is necessary is because most PT jobs require this level of education, together with state licensing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2000, APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) stated in their vision statement that by 2020, all practicing physical therapists must be trained at a doctoral level.

A doctorate in physical therapy is a prerequisite to getting a license. After all, the number of aging Americans is increasing by the day, which is why physical therapists must have this level of education to meet the needs of these elderly.

Remarkably, APTA’s vision rapidly came into reality. Back in 1995, only Creighton University ran a doctorate program in physical therapy across the US.

Today, there are 117 doctorate programs in the entire country. And of the 204 physical therapy programs in the US, more than 50% of these are accredited to enroll doctoral students.

Quick audio summary:

The Lowdown

Mary Jane Harris, the director of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of APTA reiterates that in the healthcare industry, the amount of information one has to learn is nonstop.

Physical therapists need more knowledge and information to be able to function efficiently in the healthcare delivery system. It also pays that they obtain the essential skills in the business management side of the field.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Methodology

With doctoral-level education in Physical Therapy, practitioners dive into research- or application-focused work on identifying and addressing issues in the discipline and the practice. 

Enrich your credentials and qualify for professional practice with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree! Pay attention to outstanding program features, as demonstrated in each of the graduate schools and programs on our list:

Check out our Methodology for our detailed ranking process.

online doctorate in physical therapy

10 Best Online Doctorate in Physical Therapy Schools

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
Online Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

A.T. Still University offers its post-professional online Doctor of Physical Therapy program designed to meet the needs of every practicing professional physical therapist.

This program is offered via ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences and provides students the flexibility they need through the program’s personalized and student-centric curriculum plans.

What Makes This Program Unique:

ASHS is one of the very few schools that offer a complete online post-professional Doctor of Philosophy. Since its inception in September 2002, the school has been accepting 35-75 students each quarter.

Since this is an online program that works on your schedule and terms, you get to receive the best value of education with industry-leading affordability, therefore propelling your relevancy and passion within your community and profession.

This also minimizes career interruptions while expanding new opportunities since you can apply your lessons immediately to your work setting and advance your career.

Did You Know?

This online doctor of physical therapy program may be completed in 22 months, although this will vary on a student’s individualized academic degree plan and course.

Other factors to consider when identifying the program length include requested breaks, the number of required courses by students, and more.

Most doctoral programs have common courses every student has to take like pharmacology, radiology, professional practice physical therapy, differential diagnostic imaging, and evidence-based practice.

For ATSU students, they can complete these courses in less than a year if they commit to spending 10-12 hours per week (2 credit hour course), and 12-15 hours per week (3 credit hour course).

Northeastern University

Northeastern- University
Online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

This is a 100% online program that integrates art and science and professional and experiential learning to provide students with the correct knowledge base for today’s practitioners.

Core courses of this program include human anatomy, diagnostic imaging, medical screening and nutrition, motor control, and pharmacology.

What Makes the Program Unique:

Offering one of the few online courses with a review of advanced pharmacologic management concepts, Northeastern University’s online tDPT discusses physical therapy interventions and pharmacologic management interrelations.

Did You Know?

A graduate degree from Northeastern University– one of the top 50 universities in the US, can help you boost your career through hands-on professional experience and intensive academic coursework in your field of interest.

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University
Online Transitional Doctorate of Physiotherapy Program

The online coursework of this online program is designed for professionals who already have a higher education degree in physical therapy or those who are already practicing therapists.

This online program will prepare professionals to succeed in the physical therapy profession: from geriatric physical therapy to pediatric physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy screening, and many more.

What Makes the Program Unique:

Graduates of this online tDPT program are expected to:

Did You Know?

The tDPT program of Winston-Salem State University is one of the most affordable DPT programs in the US.

WSSU strives to facilitate and promote the delivery and development of credit-bearing courses, degree programs, or certificates supporting every student’s academic enrichment goals.

In many ways, online programs are similar to face-to-face courses. Both options feature cooperative group projects and online assignments, and both require every student to undergo exams to show that they are competent.

Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University
Online Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy

This online transitional doctorate program is ideal for people who have busy lifestyles as practicing clinicians since the courses are offered asynchronously.

This online program brings out the reflective and critical thinker in you and shapes you into becoming a compassionate licensed physical therapist, and an ethical learner committed to providing contributions to your community, the nation, and the world.

What Makes the Program Unique:

This online doctorate degree has three tracks:

Qualified students for this program include those who hold a master’s degree in physical therapy and BSPT-trained people who have finished an advanced master’s degree in any health-related field.

Did You Know?

The school has financial aid options and scholarships. While most online programs only provide scholarships to US residents, SU offers aid to both US and Canadian licensed practicing PTs. However, they should have a documented PT practice experience in the US of at least a year.

The University of Michigan- Flint

The University of Michigan- Flint
Doctor of Physical Therapy

This two-year doctoral degree is designed for current physical therapy practitioners who wish to augment their bachelor’s or master’s degrees to earn a DPT degree.

Offered 100% online, this program can help contribute to your professional growth by broadening your clinical perspective, improving your skills and knowledge, and preparing you to become a competent doctoral-level PT practitioner.

What Makes the Program Unique:

While the majority of online programs are offered full-time, UM-Flint has full-time and part-time enrollment options so that each student has the choice of how to fit their coursework into their schedules.

Since the program may be completed online, you can earn your degree and work as a full-time physical therapist in a clinical setting. The convenience of getting the online format gives you the flexibility of completing your courses anytime, anywhere.

Did You Know?

UM-Flint’s College of Health Sciences is very engaged in research. The subject matters are very diverse which allows faculty to engage with their colleagues, students, the community, and the industry on different projects.

When you become a part of the University of Michigan community, whether as an online or on-campus student, you are given access to various research and academic resources not only at the Flint but also at the Dearborn or Ann Arbor campuses.

The College of Saint Scholastica

The College of Saint Scholastica
Transitional Online Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program

Designed and created for those who are already working in the physical therapy field, this transitional doctor of physical therapy degree is distance learning. All courses are delivered online, thus giving students the ability to interact with their colleagues and faculty easily.

What Makes the Program Unique:

Every course is offered each semester (summer, fall, and spring), thus giving students to get an individualized learning plan. To make sure academic excellence is maintained, the program only accepts 24 learners per course.

Because the enrollees are relatively smaller, it becomes easier for the course faculty to maintain individualized and more personal contact with distant or international students.

Did You Know?

For many physical therapists practicing the field but only hold undergraduate programs related to physical therapy, this program is the key to becoming licensed physical therapists.

With quality education and professional involvement, St. Scholasticas’ online t-DPT program is bent on helping enrollees accomplish the goals set by the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) to prepare students to become effective and efficient doctoral-level therapists.

Utica University

Utica University
Online Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Online programs prepare students for the mastery and skills they need to stand out in their field.

At Utica College, the school’s transitional doctor in physical therapy program is perfect for physical therapists as this will give them the industry-standard skills, experience, and knowledge needed to improve on what they have learned as practicing physical therapists. This graduate physical therapy degree can be completed in just 16 months.

What Makes the Program Unique

Full-time working students looking for online physical therapy programs can take advantage of Utica’s online DPT program since you will only take two courses per 16-week semester. You are also qualified to earn CEUs (continuing education units) for every successfully completed course.

These CEUs may meet certain state physical therapy license requirements, depending on every individual state’s prerequisites.

All the DPT courses are taught by experienced, qualified, and real-world professionals in clinical practice to guide students as they complete their practicum and an online doctorate in physical therapy.

Did You Know?

Utica University provides its students with the best experiential learning opportunities through its virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). This tool gives students better access to technology and easier tech support and file recovery.

Software demonstrations become more simplified and working with multiple systems and larger files is faster and more seamless.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Hybrid Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program

While most programs are delivered online, there are also hybrid programs for doctors of science in physical therapy like the one offered by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

This physical therapy education is considered one of the most thorough and unique post-professional orthopedic physical therapy degree programs in the US.

What Makes the Program Unique

When you complete the program, you are qualified to sit for the National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination (NPTE), and then apply for state licensure. For two years (2020-2021), DPT program students of TTUHSC had an average graduation rate of 94%.

From 2019-2020, 99% of TTUHSC graduates passed the licensure exam. During those same years, 100% of the graduates immediately found employment in the field of physical therapy just within 6 months after they successfully passed the licensure examination.

Just by looking at these numbers, TTUHSC’s online DPT program is one school that’s indeed worth trying.

Another great thing about the school’s DPT program is the research-centered faculty who are all committed to research, service, and teaching.

Within the School of Health Professions, the Center for Rehabilitation Research is comprised of four clinical research laboratories: Clinical Postural Control, Clinical Biomechanics, Clinical Anatomy, and Clinical Musculoskeletal.

Did You Know?

Admissions to the program are open to people with clinical experience who also hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy. Since this is a hybrid curriculum, the courses are presented in a weekend format with web-based course enhancements.

Although the course will require you to report to campus once in a while, students are encouraged to still go on with their clinical employment while enrolled.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - School of Medicine
Online Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy

This online transitional doctor of physical therapy is a program for licensed physical therapists who wish to add more skills and knowledge in the field together with their doctoral degrees.

This program is a combination of web-based instruction and distance learning with ongoing clinical application.

What Makes the Program Unique

This online tDPT program mainly focuses on clinical expertise and experience, giving students the chance for students to specialize in their preferred practice area.

After you complete this online Doctor of Physical Therapy program, you can either continue in your clinical practice, pursue teaching roles, or serve in leadership and policy-making positions in your community.

Those who have extensive clinical experience in the field can also seek board certification and become clinical specialists or secure positions in physical therapy education programs as clinical faculty.

Did You Know?

UNC-Chapel Hill is the very first public university in the US. It is an international student-accepting public university, which isn’t a common attribute of US higher education institutions.

However, for the distance learning program, international applicants must presently be licensed PT within the United States.

University of Southern California

University of Southern California
Hybrid Online/On-Campus Doctor of Physical Therapy

This online learning offered by the US is a combination of hands-on, immersive training and online coursework. For full-timers, this physical therapy degree online may be completed in three years.

What Makes the Program Unique:

After you graduate, you can take the National Physical Therapy Examination to become a full-fledged licensed physical therapist.

You will also become more effective in caring for individuals with different needs– from prevention to wellness, to persons with debilitating and complex medical conditions.

For years, USC has produced leaders in the field of physical therapy who have integrated advances in research, technology and practice to give the best experience for clients and patients.

Did You Know?

Before admission, you need to have a bachelor’s degree from any regionally accredited university or college in the country. Official transcripts are also required, along with three letters of recommendation.

However, like most online DPT programs, USC also requires students to have at least 150 hours of clinical experience in a PT setting.

What to Expect from Physical Therapy Online Programs

To become a licensed physical therapist, you need to earn a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy. However, you can also pursue other specialties within this field, like sports clinical therapy, geriatric physical therapy, neurology, and many more.

Salary: In certain environments, physical therapists can take home a huge paycheck, especially if they hold a doctoral. The median salary for therapists in 2022 was $97,720, according to information compiled by the American Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most physical therapists holding a doctorate and working full-time can earn over $127,110 every year.

Job Opportunities: When you hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy, you have so many employment opportunities waiting ahead. You can secure a career in practically any medical facility or practice, teach at a medical school and handle different courses like human anatomy, women’s health, motor control, and even health promotion.

Physical therapy degree programs also help you open your own practice or get involved and commit to spending observation hours in research.

Stability and Outlook: Online DPT programs are the gateway to securing one of the fastest-growing vocational opportunities today. Because most baby boomers have started to retire, this makes the growing aging population needs more physical therapists than ever.

Based on a report by the BLS, PTs have a projected growth of 15% between 2022 and 2032. Therefore, having a doctorate– whether it is in physical therapy online or an on-campus program, gives you an advantage over any available career opportunity.

Performance: Physical therapy is a very crucial area of health improvement and maintenance, just like occupational therapy. People with chronic health conditions heavily rely on therapists to give them a better quality of life. With a Ph.D. in physical therapy, you are guaranteed to have the highest level of technical competence in the field, thus making you more efficient in the field.

Online Doctor of Physical Therapy - fact

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the online Doctor of Physical Therapy program take?

Completing a doctor of physical therapy online usually takes three years. But there are also some programs allowing students to finish the whole course in just two years. For those working full-time and only studying part-time, the doctorate program takes about 4-5 years to complete.

The online doctorate program is the best option for those who plan to gain more knowledge on physical therapy but have no time to go to school full-time. Since online courses offer flexibility, you can complete your tasks and assignments without having to go to class physically.

Are online DPT programs worth it?

A Ph.D. in physical therapy, whether earned through face-to-face or online DPT programs, is worth it knowing this is a prerequisite for the career. To become a licensed PT, a doctorate degree is required. And with job growth of 15% between 2022 and 2032, a Ph.D. in physical therapy is one career worth having.

Can a Doctor of Physical Therapy program be completed entirely online?

No, most Doctor of Physical Therapy programs cannot be completed entirely online. Most programs include clinical placements, which cannot be completed online.

Summary Points

Additional Information: