Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, T.D.P.T.

About the Transitional Physical Therapy Degree Program

• All post-professional D.P.T. courses are 2-credit, fully online courses.
• The program can be completed in one to three years.
• Pricing schedule makes the program affordable and competitively priced.
• Students can start any semester, and there is no required course sequence.
• Course waivers based on experience are possible for up to 6 credits.
• Students network and connect with nationally recognized faculty and peers.
• Students can take two courses before formal application and matriculation.
• Arcadia’s Physical Therapy program is ranked 14^th among the 210 accredited programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The profession and practice of physical therapy is rapidly changing. The demands imposed upon a physical therapist today are very different from those of even five or 10 years ago. These demands often go beyond the formal education provided in more traditional entry-level programs. Therapists increasingly are required to justify their practice patterns based on research evidence, to take on consulting and supervisory roles, and to provide administrative expertise and leadership.

Offered completely online, this program gives practicing clinicians easy access to make their formal education congruent with students graduating from entry-level D.P.T. programs. The program’s goal is to educate clinicians who achieve practice consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Vision 2020 and beyond. Graduates will function with a high degree of professionalism and possess the requisite knowledge, skills and behaviors to practice physical therapy in a truly scientific manner (i.e., using evidence-based practice).

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to do the following:

• Solve clinical problems based on evidence.
• Critically evaluate current literature and popular theories.
• Communicate professionally through scientific writing.
• Function as an effective teacher at multiple levels—with patients, students, peers, and the public.
• Lead others and advocate effectively (serve as a consultant or manager).
• Use skills required to be an independent and lifelong learner.

This is a program for practicing professionals who want to interact with nationally recognized faculty and network with exceptional peers. The program is highly interactive and capitalizes on the wealth of knowledge clinicians bring with them.

Admission to the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program

Students can take two courses before formal application and matriculation. Acceptance into a course does not guarantee admission.

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate students, the following program-specific requirements must be met:

1. Proof of graduation (transcript) from a physical therapist degree program accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education (currently CAPTE) with a GPA of 2.75 or better
2. Additional information for internationally educated physical therapist
3. Current state professional license
4. Three written recommendations (professional or academic)
5. Brief essay articulating goals for D.P.T. study
6. Basic computer skills including Internet and e-mail
7. Computer system requirements that can be found at http://student.arcadia.edu/online/require_all.htm

Expenses

• $800/credit
• Student trained in a CAPTE accredited program and matriculating into the program 2015-2016: $10,000 total program, billed over 6 equal installments of $1,667/semester. Prior to matriculation students will be charged per credit, which will be applied to the $10,000 tuition total upon matriculation.
• All students may choose to be billed on a course by course basis at the current cost/credit fee.

Academic Policies & Procedures

A student accepted into the Transitional Physical Therapy program is expected to abide by the regulations set forth by Arcadia University. For a discussion of the general academic policies and procedures for graduate students, see the Academic Policies.

Registration

• Register for a Course—Students can take two courses before formal application and matriculation. Acceptance into a course does not guarantee admission.
• Apply for Admission—Use this link to formally apply to the program.

Transitional D.P.T. Course Schedule

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Requirements

(12-22 credits)

The program curriculum for US educated physical therapists is 12-18 credits. A minimum of 12 credits are needed. Credit waivers are available for up to 6 of these credits (3 courses) based upon a student’s prior professional experiences and coursework as demonstrated in a portfolio. (A portfolio review charge of $200 will be applied to review material submitted for consideration of course waivers.)

Students can start any semester, and there is no required course sequence except that PT 702 Case Analysis  must be taken last. A student must maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average to remain in the program. If the student GPA falls below 2.7 the student may be dismissed.

Students are only required to take one course per semester but may take more as they are able. Therefore, most students will take two years to complete the program, but it may be completed in one to three years depending on student preference and experience.

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and addresses core competencies to enrich the practice of physical therapy. All courses are held online, both synchronously and asynchronously.