- Degree Level
- Doctorate
- Graduate
- Degrees Offered
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- school/college
- College of Health Sciences
Arcadia University’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the College of Health Sciences offers its degree in an accelerated, hybrid-format that enables participants to participate online and in person.* It equips participants to apply research-driven knowledge as well as clinical and behavioral skills to diagnose and treat people of all ages and backgrounds with movement dysfunction.
What is a Doctor of Physical Therapy?
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the necessary degree to enter the profession of physical therapy. Upon successful completion of a DPT program, licensed clinicians may voluntarily pursue a specialization to become board-certified specialists.
A professional Doctor of Physical Therapy is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals with physical impairments or functional limitations. These therapists treat various conditions, such as orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders, cardiovascular problems, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
DPT practice area specializations include:
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Hand therapy
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Pelvic Floor
*Arcadia University. (2024). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
DPT Program Curriculum
Arcadia University’s Hybrid DPT program prepares participants for clinical competence and licensure through 20 research-driven courses, all part of a fixed-curriculum structure. Program sequencing is designed to build upon the skills developed in each two-to-four-week course, increasing in complexity and depth.
Three highlights:
- Accelerated curriculum: The DPT program curriculum takes 25 months to complete on a full-time schedule and guides entry-level participants toward becoming licensed clinical practitioners. Upon completion of their DPT program, students will have earned 112 credits and a DPT degree from a nationally ranked program that has been re-accredited through December 2032 by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- Clinical experience: For a total of 32 weeks, participants participate in clinical rotations, gaining exposure to a wide variety of patients across various settings.
- In-person sessions: Participants take part in eight on-campus immersions where they collaborate with peers and benefit from in-person hands-on experiences with renowned faculty members.
DPT Program Admissions and Requirements
Arcadia’s College of Health Sciences takes a comprehensive approach to selecting every year’s cohort. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy admission requirements include a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA from a bachelor’s degree program offered by a regionally accredited institution. Participants are not required to have a background in physical therapy; however, students are required to have completed prerequisite courses that include biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences and statistics. GRE scores are optional.
Completed applications must include
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Four personal statements
- Proof of observation hours
For more detailed information, visit our Application Requirements page.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Arcadia University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 215-572-2950 or email ptadmission@arcadia.edu.
Please refer to the Student Financial Fact Sheet for a general estimate of program costs.
Career Outlook and Salary for a Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Arcadia University hybrid DPT program encourages participants to focus on physical therapy as a way to improve the health of society as well as the individual. Physical therapy is more than a career; it’s a lifestyle—and the Arcadia University DPT program redefines what it means to be a physical therapist.
The career outlook for DPT professionals is very exciting. Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17 percent through 2031—much faster than the average growth for all occupations.** The demand for skilled and innovative experts in the field of physical therapy is on the rise, too, and there are numerous job opportunities for Doctor of Physical Therapy professionals.
Join our passionate community of dedicated physical therapists who are improving the health of society one patient at a time.
**Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 23, 2024.