Transitional Physical Therapy FAQs

Our TDPT program is fully online; there is no requirement to be on campus. 

We accept students with entry-level PT education at the bachelor’s and/or master’s degree level. 

The program is 18 credits for U.S.-educated therapists and 22 or 30 credits (students choose) for internationally-trained PTs.  However, students may apply to waive up to 6 credits. 

Yes, for some courses. But, course waiver requests are evaluated on the specific portfolio review criteria (available when you are accepted to the program). You will be charged an additional fee for review of your portfolio. Please note that course waiver is not guaranteed.

There is some elective coursework that you can take for orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, neurology, pediatrics, or geriatrics (one out of these for 18 or 22 credits or all for 30 credits), but we do not offer a specific track at this point. Please check our website for updates. 

It will take about 1-3 years to complete the required coursework. 

Each semester is broken up into two 7-week sessions. In most cases, students can take up to 4 classes, or 8 credits, per semester. Students can NOT take all four courses in one session. Additionally, students should discuss with an advisor prior to taking the capstone course at the same time as another course. It is recommended you speak with the tDPT team to come up with a customized program map. 

We have rolling admissions at 6 entry points throughout the year, 2 per semester (August, October, January, March, May, June/July). All materials must be received up to 4 weeks before the start of a session. Session dates can be found on the schedule page. 

In general, every course is structured differently based on the content area that is taught. We use a variety of tools such as multiple choice questions, quizzes and self-reflection assignments to test students. Most classes also require synchronous (“live” class discussion) and asynchronous (discussion board) participation. We have many clinicians from the U.S. and around the world representing a vast amount of expertise you can all benefit and learn from. This program is based on principles of adult learning. Adult learning is a lot like what you do in your role as a clinical professional. You cannot learn passively any more than our patients can get stronger with passive exercise! 

You will be awarded a “Doctor of Physical Therapy” degree when you graduate from the program. Words like “online”, “transitional” and/or “distance learning” are not included on the degree certificate.

Visit the Expenses tab on the TDPT program site for details about expenses and payments. Cost of textbooks and materials/resources are not included in our package price. Also, the University charges an additional fee each semester which is not included in the package price.

Students have the option to buy/rent/borrow textbooks as they see fit. The University online library also has many of the textbooks (prior editions) available for online access. There are a couple of courses (PT555 Pharmacology and PT508 Medical Screening) that have a "resource" usage (third-party) fee which is applied to the student account when they register for the course.

At this point, we do not offer an I-20 to students in our post-professional program. 

Yes, currently, you may register for up to three courses pre-licensure for credentialing purposes. Please note: acceptance into a course does not guarantee admission into the program. 

Yes! We welcome applications from all students. Our TDPT program is fully online. The program is highly interactive and capitalizes on the wealth of knowledge clinicians bring with them. 

A U.S. PT License is not needed as long as you are eligible to practice Physical Therapy internationally. 

CAPTE, the accrediting body for Physical Therapy programs, does not provide for accreditation of post-professional programs. However, our entry-level DPT program is accredited.

While the courses in our TDPT program may help in fulfilling educational deficits, the program does not directly qualify you for US PT licensure. All foreign-educated PTs must follow the steps listed by The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. 

Only a credentialing agency that issues work certificates (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), CGFNS International Inc.) or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can determine if the program fulfills their requirements. Since our entry-level DPT is CAPTE-accredited, we believe our TDPT will be accepted by FCCPT/CGFNS, but individuals should check with the respective agencies.

Please see our admissions page here.