Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Transition to a Doctorate Completely Online!
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- Arcadia’s Physical Therapy program is ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- All post-professional D.P.T. courses are two-credit, fully online courses.
- The program can be completed in one to three years.
- Revised 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.
- Interested students can participate in international experiences through service learning projects.

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 ten 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. 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.