Physical Therapy, DPT Hybrid

Arcadia University’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the College of Health Sciences offers its degree in an accelerated, hybrid-format that enables participants to participate online and in person.* It equips participants to apply research-driven knowledge as well as clinical and behavioral skills to diagnose and treat people of all ages and backgrounds with movement dysfunction.

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the necessary degree to enter the profession of physical therapy. Upon successful completion of a DPT program, licensed clinicians may voluntarily pursue a specialization to become board-certified specialists.

A professional Doctor of Physical Therapy is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals with physical impairments or functional limitations. These therapists treat various conditions, such as orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders, cardiovascular problems, sports injuries, and chronic pain.

DPT practice area specializations include:

*Arcadia University. (2024). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 9, 2024.

Arcadia University’s Hybrid DPT program prepares participants for clinical competence and licensure through 20 research-driven courses, all part of a fixed-curriculum structure. Program sequencing is designed to build upon the skills developed in each two-to-four-week course, increasing in complexity and depth.

Three highlights:

Arcadia’s College of Health Sciences takes a comprehensive approach to selecting every year’s cohort. Our Doctor of Physical Therapy admission requirements include a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA from a bachelor’s degree program offered by a regionally accredited institution. Participants are not required to have a background in physical therapy; however, students are required to have completed prerequisite courses that include biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral sciences and statistics. GRE scores are optional.

Completed applications must include

For more detailed information, visit our Application Requirements page.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Arcadia University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 215-572-2950 or email ptadmission@arcadia.edu.

Please refer to the Student Financial Fact Sheet for a general estimate of program costs.

The Arcadia University hybrid DPT program encourages participants to focus on physical therapy as a way to improve the health of society as well as the individual. Physical therapy is more than a career; it’s a lifestyle—and the Arcadia University DPT program redefines what it means to be a physical therapist. 

The career outlook for DPT professionals is very exciting. Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17 percent through 2031—much faster than the average growth for all occupations.** The demand for skilled and innovative experts in the field of physical therapy is on the rise, too, and there are numerous job opportunities for Doctor of Physical Therapy professionals.

Join our passionate community of dedicated physical therapists who are improving the health of society one patient at a time. 

 **Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 23, 2024.