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

About the Program

Arcadia University offers a Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program for physical therapy students.

• Students are eligible to apply with U.S. PT license or international equivalent.

• Pricing schedule makes the program affordable and competitive.

• Students can start any semester, at one of 6 entry points (2 per semester), and most courses can be taken in any sequence.

• The program can be completed in 1-3 years, or 1.5-3 years for the internationally educated.

• All tDPT courses are 2-credit, fully online courses with both synchronous and asynchronous components.

• Course waivers, based on experience documented in a portfolio, are possible for up to 6 credits.

• Students can take up to 3 courses before formal application and acceptance into the program.

• Non-degree seeking students can take up to 3 courses for credentialing.

• Students network and interact with nationally recognized faculty and peers.

Arcadia’s Physical Therapy program is ranked among the top 10% of accredited programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Arcadia’s Transitional DPT Experience

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 DPT programs. The program’s goal is to educate clinicians to achieve practice consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Vision. 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 using 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).

• Enhance skills required to be a lifelong independent learner.

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

Degree Requirements

The Degree Requirements Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (TDPT) program are as follows:

• U.S.-educated Physical Therapists

  • 18 credits (9 courses)

• Internationally-educated Physical Therapists can choose from one of these options based on individual needs:

  • 22 credits (11 courses)

  • 30 credits (15 courses)

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and addresses core competencies to enrich the practice of physical therapy. The program is entirely online. Most courses include both synchronous (i.e., all students participate at a specific date and time) and asynchronous (i.e., on your own time) components. Students are only required to take 1 course per semester, but many take up to 3.

Students can start any semester. Most courses can be taken in any order, with the following exceptions:

• PT 505 Clinical Decision Making must be taken before the Clinical Practice Series courses.

• PT 702 Case Analysis is designed as a capstone-like experience, and must be taken last.

Students with professional experience and/or coursework in certain areas may request waivers for up to 6 of these credits (3 courses, indicated in the course description below) by submitting a portfolio documenting their experience.  Detailed instructions are included in the acceptance packet.  Students submitting a portfolio will be charged a $200 portfolio review fee.

Students must maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average to remain in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this may lead to dismissal from the program.

The curriculum consists of Core Courses and the Clinical Practice Series. All courses are 2 credits.

Options for Non-degree Seeking Students

Non-degree seeking students are eligible to take up to three of the 2 credit courses, in addition to the 0.5 credit modules linked below. 

All 2 credit courses taken for credentialing may apply towards degree completion after formal application and acceptance into the program. Tuition paid toward the 2 credit courses prior to admission will be deducted from the overall package price (University fees are not included). 

• 2 credit courses

• 0.5 credit modules (PT686A Documentation & Delegation, PT686B Wound Care, PT686C Community Reintegration) 

These brief, asynchronous courses provide an efficient means for students to address credentialing deficiencies on a variety of topic. Please note that these course are separate from, and do not count towards, the DPT. Each course is 0.5 credits, and students will be billed on a per credit basis.