Enrolling in one of the best online DPT programs can be a great way for those in the PT field to advance their career and earning potential without interfering with their busy day-to-day schedules as practicing physical therapists or PT assistants.
Over the last few decades, professional physical therapist education has evolved into a doctoring profession with greater autonomy and a broader scope of practice.
These changes have occurred in tandem with systemic and structural changes in health care and higher education learning patterns.
Simultaneously, technological advances have opened up new avenues for education, with the emergence of online learning models that supplement or replace face-to-face instruction with distance learning.
So, if you want to work in the booming healthcare field or advance your career from physical therapist assistant or aide to physical therapist, pursuing one of the best DPT program degrees can help ensure you get the job.
Table of Contents
What is a Hybrid DPT program?
A clinical doctorate program is an entry-level degree that prepares students with the skills needed to enter clinical practice and become licensed. In physical therapy, this is commonly referred to as the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
It differs from a Ph.D., which focuses on research and the creation of original scholarly work, and from a “post-professional doctorate” or “advanced practice doctorate,” which provides study in advanced or specialized clinical competencies to professionals who have already earned an entry-level qualification, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Furthermore, an hybrid education is a type of blended learning that employs both in-person and online instructional strategies. Online content can be delivered synchronously or asynchronously in a hybrid learning environment, replacing traditional face-to-face instructional time and reducing “seat time” for students.
Why get your DPT Programs online
The following are the reasons why you should consider an online DPT program:Â
- Flexibility
- Accessibility
- Affordability
- New Skills Development
- Career Advancement.
Flexibility
The most obvious advantage of hybrid online DPT programs is their flexibility. Flexibility means more adaptable class schedules and greater convenience when completing assignments. You can tailor your class schedule and “study time” to your specific needs by enrolling in an online DPT degree program.
Accessibility
Accessibility is defined as the ability to reach, enter, or obtain something. In terms of online DPT programs, accessibility equates to ease of attendance.
No matter where you are, as an online DPT program student enrolling in one of the best DPT programs, you can easily open your lectures (right on their laptops) and begin class.
Affordability
In general, enrolling in an online DPT program is less expensive than attending in-person classes. This is due to the fact that you are not paying for on-campus amenities such as property and land, maintenance and management personnel, or meals and housing options, if applicable. You are also saving money on the costs of commuting to a college campus (gas, tolls, parking, etc.).
New Skills Development
The number of skills developed through an online program is one of the most significant benefits of pursuing a college degree from one of the best DPT programs online – and one that many people are unaware of. By taking classes online, you choose to have complete control over your studies.
You must manage, motivate, and discipline yourself. As a result, you must acquire certain skillsets, such as:
- Time management, to create a schedule that works for you
- Task management, to organize and prioritize projects
- Communication, written and verbal, to stay connected with peers and professors
- Technology know-how, to use online learning tools and virtual conference platforms.
Career Advancement
Another surprising advantage of DPT online college degree programs is that they prepare you for career advancement in the field of physical therapy.
Because of its flexibility and accessibility, online DPT coursework allows you to continue your education while working. If you’ve been eyeing a position or thinking about changing careers, the ability to take classes online makes your goal much more attainable. You can continue working while attending school with little disruption to your daily routine.
What Are the requirements for an Online DPT Program?
Below are the requirements for an online DPT program:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs
- 150 hours of clinical experience in a physical therapy setting
- Prerequisite courses
- Personal statements.
Curriculum for the DPT Program Online
Online DPT programs offer a wide range of courses and clinical experiences. The majority of these hybrid DPT curricula are designed to cover both the content of the National Physical Therapy Examination and the necessary practical knowledge for fieldwork.
DPT students can expect to take courses in a wide range of subjects, such as:
- Anatomy
- Behavioural sciences
- Biology
- Cardiovascular Systems
- Cellular Histology
- Clinical Reasoning
- Communications
- Endocrine Systems
- Ethics
- Exercise Sciences
- Kinesiology
- Lab sciences
- Metabolic systems
- Musculoskeletal systems
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Sociology.
List of Top 10 Best Hybrid Online DPT Programs
The following is a list of the top hybrid online DPT programs:Â
- University of Southern California
- Tufts University
- Baker College
- Arcadia University
- University of South Dakota
- Washburn University
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Andrews University
- Texas Woman’s University
- The University of St. Augustine.
10 Best Hybrid Online DPT Programs
Before applying to any school, including DPT online school, it is critical to conduct research. We’ve vetted some of the best DPT programs online schools to assist you.
#1. University of Southern California
USC’s DPT program is delivered in a hybrid format that combines convenient online delivery of didactic courses with immersive, on-campus experiences designed to instill clinical skills.
Most full-time students finish the fully accredited program in three years and are well-prepared to take the national exam required for licensure.
The 115-credit course of study focuses on evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning through a variety of interactive classes with a low student-to-faculty ratio.
#2. Tufts University
Tufts University offers a hybrid DPT program that consists of 67 weeks of virtual classroom instruction and 31 weeks of full-time clinical training at approved locations nationwide.
The program, which is housed within Tufts’ School of Medicine, consists of 127 credits spread across six consecutive terms and is designed to be completed in just two years.
This program combines cutting-edge technical training with integrative hands-on experiences, providing students with a robust and comprehensive course of study that prepares them for a wide range of specializations.
The online DPT program at Tufts University is fully accredited and offers an evidence-based curriculum taught by expert faculty and experienced clinicians from all over the world.
Classes cover the fundamentals of the field as well as more focused topics such as musculoskeletal practice, orthotics and prosthetics, therapeutic intervention, and advanced diagnostics.
#3. Baker College
Baker College is Michigan’s largest non-profit private college.
It is an excellent option for physical therapy programs. It is also ranked first in our list of online physical therapy schools.
This institution offers classes both online and at various campuses. The school is designed for non-traditional students who require flexibility. You can easily access your virtual classroom with Baker Online. You may do so at any time and from any location.
Baker College also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree program. The program is intended to prepare future physical therapist assistants. It is a 78-credit program.
Classes on campus are required of you.
#4. Arcadia University
Arcadia University’s fully online doctor of the physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and has a 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is required to become a licensed physical therapist.
The program requires full-time work and takes 25 months to complete. Students will take synchronous and asynchronous live online classes, as well as 32 weeks of clinical rotations and eight short immersion experiences on campus.
#5. University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota’s online DPT programs develops scholars, practitioners, and lifelong learners who provide evidence-based physical therapy services throughout patients’ lives. Under the instruction and mentorship of expert faculty, their students gain the practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and confidence they need to thrive as team members and leaders in physical therapy.
#6. Washburn University
Washburn’s PT program is primarily in person with some classes online during clinical rotations. Students learn the didactic and evidence-based clinical knowledge to be competitive in the workforce.
They also learn the importance of professionalism and interprofessional teamwork within the health care field.
#7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Through the University Center at MCC, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center offers an online Bachelor of Science degree. Students in this program can transfer hours from an approved AAS degree in addition to core curriculum coursework taken at MCC.
Students will work with an academic advisor to choose between two-degree options. Certified radiology technologists, emergency medical services, respiratory care practitioners, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants, licensed vocational nurses, and clinical laboratory technicians are all options in the Healthcare Professional concentration.
#8. Andrews UniversityÂ
This institution’s online DPT program provides advanced learning for practicing physical therapists, including medical screening, differential diagnosis, clinical leadership and administration, imaging and laboratory science, therapeutic exercise prescription, education, and research.
This degree brings the clinician up to the academic level of an entry-level DPT graduate and truly prepares the clinician to work as a direct access practitioner.
#9. Texas Woman’s University
TWU provides individualized programs for physical therapists seeking a Ph.D. in specialized fields. TWU’s unique program offering includes: working with students to accommodate specific clinical and/or research goals
#10. University of St. Augustine
Nationally recognized in the US for its leadership in physical therapy education, USAHS has the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program to fit your career goals and working life—whether you are new to the field or a longtime practitioner.
Each of their PT programs includes three trimesters of supervised clinical experience.
Hybrid Online DPT Programs cost
The hybrid DPT program can cost you a total tuition cost of $114,090.
It’s a good idea to look into various funding options for your degree, such as grants and scholarships, employer-sponsored tuition assistance, military education benefits, and federal student loans. If you want to apply for federal student aid, you can do so while applying for admission.
DPT Jobs
Physical therapists examine patients and create a treatment plan that includes techniques to improve movement, reduce or eliminate pain, restore function, and prevent disability.
Physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat movement problems, despite their association with the treatment and recovery phases of patient care.
DPT job responsibilities include:
- Examining patients to establish diagnoses, prognoses, and plans of care.
- Providing interventions needed for patient care.
- Re-examining patients and modifying care plans as needed.
- Developing and implementing discharge plans.
Physical Therapist Salary
Physical therapist salaries vary depending on factors such as education level, years of experience, work environment, and location.
However, the median annual wage for physical therapists ranges from $87,930 and above.
FAQs about Best Hybrid Online DPT Programs
What is the easiest DPT program to get into?
The most straightforward physical therapy schools to enter are: University of Southern California, Tufts University, Baker College, Arcadia University, University of South Dakota, Washburn University
Is DPT hard?
A physical therapist's job will be physically demanding. One of the most significant disadvantages of working as a physical therapist is that you will be on your feet all day, lifting heavy patients and using muscles you didn't even know you had.
How long are most DPT programs?
The typical DPT program lasts three years, but some programs compress academic requirements into a shorter time frame, which may help you manage the total cost of your education experience and enter the field sooner.
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ConclusionÂ
When looking for the best DPTh programs online, consider the type of degree being offered, the credit hours required, and any minimum GPA requirements that must be met for admission.
Comparing DPT online programs is an excellent way to find a degree program that fits your schedule and provides the best return on investment.