The correct degree nomenclature for the professional (entry-level) and the postprofessional transition clinical doctorate is "DPT." In these FAQs, the nomenclature "t-DPT" has been used to distinguish the DPT degree conferred upon completion of a transition program from the DPT conferred upon completion of a professional (entry-level) program.
"Postprofessional" in the t-DPT FAQs does not signify the acquisition of advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and behaviors; rather, it is used to signify that the t-DPT program and degree is for US licensed physical therapists who has successfully completed their professional (entry-level) education prior to enrolling in a t-DPT program.
1. What is a transition DPT (t-DPT) degree?
The t-DPT degree is conferred upon completion of a structured postprofessional educational experience that results in the augmentation of knowledge, skills, and behaviors to a level consistent with the current professional (entry-level) DPT standards. The t-DPT degree enables the US-licensed physical therapist to attain degree parity with therapists who hold the professional DPT by filling in any gaps between their professional baccalaureate or master's degree PT education and the current professional DPT degree education.
2. Is the t-DPT just another professional (entry-level) degree?
Yes and no. It is analogous to the professional (entry-level) DPT degree in that the majority of transition program curricula include coursework that reflects the augmentation in professional (entry-level) content that has occurred over the past 5-10 years. Put differently, the t-DPT is fully consistent with the current professional DPT standard; it does NOT indicate the acquisition of advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and behaviors beyond that standard.
While the t-DPT is most analogous to the current professional DPT:
- The program offers content in areas that have been significantly augmented over the past 5-10 years,
- Experienced PTs may augment their knowledge and skills in areas that, together with any specialized knowledge and experience acquired over the years, would position them more strongly as a provider in a health care system that is often characterized as uncertain and competitive.
- A t-DPT program is a valuable and exciting context for learning, including the rich and diverse interactions between PTs whose respective experiences provide an invaluable source of shared learning.
- A t-DPT curriculum may be customized to particular learners based on their knowledge and experience thereby minimizing the prospects for duplication of content.One way of documenting that knowledge and experience is through APTA's Physical Therapist Evaluation Tool (PTET).
- A t-DPT program is not "just another" professional (entry-level) education experience because the learning context, including the learner's experience and discourse, reflects a breadth and depth of experience that cannot be present in a professional degree program with students who have no clinical experience.
3. What's the difference between the t-DPT and an advanced clinical doctorate?
The t-DPT degree does not reflect the acquisition of advanced clinical skills (eg, specialization); rather, it reflects an augmentation in the physical therapist professional body of knowledge and practice over the last 5-10 years. The outcome competencies of the graduate of a t-DPT program are most analogous to those of the current professional (entry-level) DPT standard. The postprofessional advanced clinical doctorate reflects the acquisition of advanced level knowledge and skills associated with specialization, certification, clinical residencies, fellowships, etc.
4. What's the difference between the t-DPT and the PhD?
Both degrees involve mastering a body of knowledge in the particular field of study. The DPT degree (conferred at completion of a professional PT program or a postprofessional transition program) is considered a clinical or applied doctorate similar to those for medicine (MD), dentistry (DDS), education (EdD), clinical psychology (PsyD), optometry (OD), and podiatry (DPM). The t-DPT degree signifies that the learner will apply the newly acquired knowledge – most likely in a clinical setting. The PhD is an academic degree that reflects, in addition to the mastering of a body of knowledge in the particular field of study, completion of an original scholarly work that adds to the body of knowledge in the discipline.
5. Can I practice without a DPT?
Absolutely. The right to practice therapy is granted by states through licensure; licensure requires graduation from an accredited professional physical therapist education program. Graduates possessing a professional baccalaureate, masters, certificate, or doctoral degree are currently licensed in the workforce. However, students who graduated from a CAPTE accredited program after January 2002 and are eligible to sit for the licensure examination hold only the master's or doctoral degrees.
6. If I get a t-DPT, will I get a better job? Will I be paid more?
There are no data to suggest that DPT practitioners get better jobs. Although there are instances where the practitioner has benefited from such a consequence, the lack of data prevents any generalization to the overall DPT population. There are no data to suggest that, as a matter of course, a physical therapist with a DPT will be paid more than one who possesses a master's or baccalaureate degree. Although there are exceptions, they should not be used to generalize to the DPT practitioner population. According to APTA's 2005 Median Income of Physical Therapists Summary Report, years of experience in clinical practice exerts a larger influence on the variation in reported salaries than the degree level of professional education.
7. What is a t-DPT program?
A t-DPT postprofessional physical therapist education program is one that: 1) allows the U.S. licensed physical therapist to obtain the clinical doctorate by demonstrating knowledge commensurate with that of current professional (entry-level) DPT program outcomes and 2) takes into account a learner/applicant's knowledge and experience.
8. How many t-DPT programs exist?
All of the t-DPT programs are listed on APTA's Web site by state and program delivery method with links to the specific academic programs for more detailed information.
9. Where are t-DPT programs located?
The vast majority of t-DPT programs are located in institutions of higher education that have professional (entry-level) DPT programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. A very few t-DPT programs are offered by regionally accredited higher education institutions without a professional DPT program.
10. Will t-DPT programs always be available? If not, for how long will they be offered?
No. When the demand for the t-DPT is essentially met, transition DPT programs will no longer have the necessary economic incentive to remain in operation. While the time frame cannot be stated with certainty, it is likely that these programs will not exist beyond 2020. Trends from 1999 – 2005 demonstrate continued increased enrollment of physical therapists in t-DPT programs.
11. Why are t-DPT programs different? What are some of the differences?
Transition DPT programs vary in many ways. Because the educational mission of each institution of higher education is unique, including the policies that govern graduate education, the configuration of each t-DPT program is different. T-DPT programs are intended to conform to institutional mission and policy; however, the prospective learner/applicant should evaluate program differences; eg, the curriculum, length, delivery method(s), and price. These differences should be considered in an assessment of program "fit," including whether or not the program's goals serve the learner/applicant's interests and professional career pathway needs.
12. Why do programs vary in length?
The length of a program is ordinarily a correlate of two factors: a) the graduation requirements of the institution, and b) the method of coursework delivery. Of course, whether or not a learner enrolls as a full time or part time student makes a significant difference in the length of the program.
13. Are t-DPT programs accredited? If not, how is quality assured?
No. Postprofessional physical therapist education programs are not accredited by CAPTE. In most cases, quality is assured by virtue of the fact that rigorous standards are applied by regional accrediting agencies to the higher education institutions and by CAPTE to the professional programs, which offer the transition DPT programs. In addition, APTA has attempted to influence the quality level of t-DPT programs by providing consensus-based Outcome Competencies document (including tasks) and a Preferred Curricular Guide for the t-DPT Program. While their use is not mandated, APTA believes that the voluntary use of these foundational documents will help ensure a high level of consistency and quality in t-DPT programs. In all cases, learner/applicants should understand that, as consumers, they are responsible for ensuring that a particular program meets those standards deemed critically important for success.
14. Are any practitioners currently enrolled in a t-DPT program?
Yes. As of October 2005, academic programs reported more than 9,000 physical therapists currently were or had been enrolled in t-DPT programs with more than 2,700 reported graduates.
15. Do t-DPT programs admit clinicians with a baccalaureate PT degree? A Certificate? A Master's?
The vast majority (88%) of transition programs admit US-licensed or licensure eligible physical therapists with a baccalaureate or master's degree or a Certificate; in all cases, the learner/applicant is strongly encouraged to contact the programs of interest directly to determine their admission requirements. As of October 2005, 6 programs reported that they would accept students with licensure equivalency or Canadian licensure.
16. What are the pre-requisites for a typical t-DPT program?
- A baccalaureate, master's professional degree or a Certificate from a CAPTE accredited professional degree program
- A valid US license to practice physical therapy or licensure eligible
- Completion of an academic institution application
- Transcripts from all professional and postprofessional degree programs
- Specified standardized examinations and/or evaluation tools (eg, GRE, PTET)
- Letters (2-3) of recommendation
17. What content is typically found in a t-DPT program?
Program content may include any of the following: clinical decision-making, physical therapy diagnosis and screening, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, health care systems, business, and economics, outcomes measurement, patient/client management, clinical research, principles of evidenced-based practice, specific content related to the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular-pulmonary and integumentary systems, professional issues, and applied case-based analysis or capstone.
18. Is there any agreement about what should be in a t-DPT curriculum?
Among and between t-DPT programs, probably not. Among and between those t-DPT programs that elect to use APTA's Competencies of the Transition DPT Graduate as a foundation or "starting place" for the design of a program-specific curriculum, there will likely be a higher level of consistency. Although voluntary, the t-DPT Preferred Curricular Guide does represent a consensus regarding the preferred content in a t-DPT program. The curricular guide is fully consistent with the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education, Version 2004.
19. Do work and life experiences count when applying for admission? If so, how?
Yes. However, the manner in which the learner/applicant's knowledge and experience is taken into account will vary from program to program. Some programs have less flexibility in adjusting graduation requirements based on knowledge and work/life experiences. Others can make significant adjustments IF the learner/applicant's knowledge can be documented in a consistent manner. These adjustments take the form of course/content waivers, substitution of required coursework with electives, or a reduction in total credits required for graduation.
20. What is the cost of a t-DPT degree? Why does the cost vary from program to program?
The price can range from around $4500 to more than $18,000. The price you will pay depends primarily on the number of credits required for graduation. Although this variable is a critically important one, there are other differences that should be taken into account by a learner/applicant. For example, the learner/applicants should consider the faculty, location, delivery mode, institutional/program reputation, institutional/program mission, and, most importantly, personal and professional long-range needs and career goals.
Having said that, one of the major variables in pricing will be the degree to which a t-DPT program chooses to account for the learner/applicant's knowledge and experience; often, that decision directly impacts the design of a learner-centered curriculum, including the number of credits required for graduation. For that reason, it is important to discuss pricing with all of the programs being considered.
21. If I enroll in a t-DPT program, do I have to relocate or travel?
It depends upon the program. Some t-DPT programs will deliver the coursework by distance mode; in these cases you will not need to be in residence but you will need the necessary hardware, software, and internet connection (high speed) required to facilitate distance learning. Programs vary in the amount of coursework that is delivered in distance mode; some use it for all of the coursework while others utilize a combination of distance learning and in-residence learning. Again, the learner/applicant should discuss distance learning capability and/or residency requirements with the individual programs being considered.
22. If the t-DPT is delivered online, what computer hardware do I need? Software?
A. Minimum Hardware Requirements:
- Pentium 450 or higher
- Video card
- Sound card and speakers
- Modem – not less Than 56K; high speed preferred
- 20GB hard drive
- CD-ROM drive or combination DVD/CD-ROM drive
- Floppy drive
B. Minimum Software Requirements:
- MS Office Suite or equivalent (word processing program, presentation/graphic program, and email program)
- Antivirus program
- Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher OR AOL Navigator 6.0 or higher
- Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or higher
23. How does the t-DPT fit into APTA's Vision 2020?
APTA is unequivocally committed to a fully inclusive transition to the status of a doctoring profession. Inclusiveness means that every US-licensed physical therapist will be afforded the opportunity to attain degree parity with those practitioners who possess the professional clinical doctorate (DPT). In addition to the benefits for the physical therapist, an inclusive transition also benefits the profession as a greater critical mass of physical therapists are prepared to practice using the most current body of knowledge and skills, including all aspects of patient/client management .
24. What is APTA's role in the t-DPT?
APTA cannot directly impact t-DPT programs; they are configured, administered, and evaluated by the respective institutions of higher education on the basis of educational prerogatives. However, APTA completed a four-phased plan intended to serve the interests of t-DPT programs and learner/applicants. This APTA Board of Directors Plan in Support of the Transition Clinical Doctorate was approved in November 2000. A Task Force was appointed to oversee the management of the four phase plan to ensure its implementation. The fourth phase was dependent upon the needs of Transition DPT programs for faculty. At this point, programs have been able to function without implementing the fourth phase of providing a faculty course/content pool.
Each phase concludes with a specific outcome or product. They are:
- Consensus-Based Competencies for the t-DPT graduate, including "Indicator" Tasks that demonstrate achieved competencies.
- A Preferred Curricular Model (Modular) for the t-DPT Program
- The Physical Therapist Evaluation Tool (PTET) – a valid instrument for evaluating the knowledge and experience of the learner/applicant.
- A Faculty Course/Content Area Pool – a resource for t-DPT programs that wish to augment existing faculty to provide quality coursework for which institutional credit can be granted.
25. What is the PTET?
The PTET is the Physical Therapist Evaluation Tool. The tool is a valid mechanism for documenting a learner/applicants knowledge and experience when applying to a t-DPT program. The tool is comprised of two major components: 1) a Professional Portfolio and 2) a Tasks Performed component (scored). The items in the Professional Portfolio are "linked" to the tasks in the Tasks Performed component. This linkage can be used to further document that a learner/applicant possesses the knowledge needed to achieve some of the consensus-based outcome competencies of the t-DPT graduate. Between the portfolio and Tasks Performed components, a t-DPT program can more easily and accurately make decisions about how the learner/applicant's curriculum should be customized.
The PTET does not measure how well a learner/applicant performs the identified tasks. Rather, the PTET documents the learner/applicant's knowledge and experience using a scored frequency-based assessment of tasks. The Tasks Performed component of the PTET provides a measure of the frequency (number of times) with which the practitioner performs 148 possible tasks during everyday clinical practice. Each of these tasks is correlated with a set of competencies that describe the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of a graduate of a Transition DPT program. In addition, a second component of the PTET, the Professional Portfolio, provides an opportunity for the applicant to fully describe the degree-based experiences completed since graduating from the professional physical therapist program as well as practice, education, and scholarly experiences that have been completed in the past 10 years. All of the items included in the Professional Portfolio are related to the 148 possible tasks included in the Tasks Performed. Thus, the applicant has more than one way to demonstrate his or her knowledge, skills, and experiences when applying to a t-DPT program.
26. What does the frequency with which I perform tasks have to do with competency?
Although a practical examination is ideal, the frequency with which designated tasks are performed can and does relate to competence. However, as in the case of the PTET, the tasks must be linked to the desired outcome competencies of the t-DPT graduate. Using a norm referenced group, a scoring key can be developed based on the frequency with which tasks that are correlated with desired clinical outcome competencies are performed. An instructive analogy would be the case of choosing a competent surgeon using a recommended criterion – the frequency with which the surgeon in question has performed the particular surgical intervention.
27. What will I learn in a t-DPT program that I don't know already?
You could potentially already know some or all of what is included in a Transition DPT program as a result of your ongoing review of professional literature, completion of continuing education programs, postprofessional education degree-based programs, clinical residencies or fellowships, earned board certified specialist certification, and ability to remain current with professional issues. However, it is also possible that you may not have learned and applied all of the content associated with knowledge that has been augmented in the past 5 to 10 years in professional (entry-level) physical therapist programs. For more specific content typically found in Transition DPT programs, please refer to Question 17.
28. Why is it important for clinicians to acquire the t-DPT?
The DPT is not required for the practice of physical therapy. Even so, there are several reasons for acquiring a DPT:
- There is value in any educational experience that augments knowledge, skills, and behaviors in a way that will help better position a practitioner in a very uncertain health care environment.
- The t-DPT program will provide practitioners with a degree-based opportunity to acquire new knowledge, skills, and behaviors and to do so with colleagues who bring a wealth of experience in the application of the science and art of physical therapy.
- Today, preparation to be a physical therapist requires an educational experience that is, in fact, commensurate with doctoral preparation; the DPT is the appropriate degree for that preparation.
- The t-DPT program provides the US-licensed physical therapist to achieve degree parity with graduates of professional physical therapist education programs.
- The DPT is the foundation of a doctoring profession; the doctorally-prepared practitioner will be perceived as possessing all of the rights, privileges, and obligations associated with being a member of a doctoring profession.
- The DPT is fully consistent with the profession's intentions regarding the role and responsibilities of the physical therapist as expressed in APTA's Vision 2020.
29. What factors should I consider in deciding whether or not to pursue the DPT?
There is little data regarding the consequences of having or not having the DPT. However, in the absence of data, learners should consider a variety of factors in deciding on a particular professional development pathway: a) available personal resources (time, money, energy), b) the perceived value of additional degree-based learning, c) the experiences of mentors and colleagues who can attest to the benefits of certain professional development/educational opportunities, and d) the prospects for job opportunities and enhancement.
30. Is the t-DPT only for practicing physical therapists?
No. The Transition DPT degree is available to anyone with a US license or is licensure eligible to practice as a physical therapist and who has earned a professional baccalaureate, certificate, or master's degree in physical therapy. Thus, physical therapist practitioners, educators, administrators, managers, and researchers can pursue a Transition DPT degree. Specific requirements for graduation may vary, however, depending upon your earned professional physical therapist degree, current knowledge, skills, and experiences, and the specific Transition DPT program that you elect to complete.
31. Can I get a t-DPT degree if I am not US-licensed or licensure eligible as a physical therapist?
For 90% of the programs offering the t-DPT degree, US licensure and licensure eligibility are required. The remaining programs do consider licensure equivalency and Canadian licensure on a case-by-case basis. APTA does have a position, Transition DPT: Accessibility to Degree Programs (.pdf), that states:
"All transition Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree programs should be accessible to graduates of baccalaureate, masters, certificate, or equivalent physical therapist programs. Transition DPT degree programs should allow for a learner-centered curriculum that takes into full account the knowledge and experience of the physical therapist applicant who is licensed in a US jurisdiction."
32. Once I get a t-DPT degree, can I be called "Doctor ______?"
Yes, and possibly, no. Conferral of the DPT degree means that the graduate is entitled to all of the rights and privileges associated with the doctoral degree. However, whether, where, or when a practitioner exercises those rights and privileges (eg, a request to be referred to as Doctor Jones) is a matter of professional judgment based on a variety of factors, including the need for sensitivity during a period of transition for physical therapy to a doctoring profession. The right to call oneself "Doctor" is accompanied by the responsibility of indicating that one is a physical therapist. Use of the term "Doctor" is subject to jurisdictional law.