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Program Menu
At a Glance
The University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is one of the longest established PT education programs in the country. In both our on-campus and hybrid options, students complete this shorter seven-term program through interactive, hands-on learning from our world-renown faculty who are shaping the field of physical therapy practice. Become a confident clinician through 42-weeks of real-world experience.
Rankings by U.S News & World Report.
Application
Start Term
Fall term (August)
Application Opens
June 16, 2025
Application Closes
October 1, 2025
Commitment
and Credits
Duration
2 years and 3 months
(7 terms, including 2 summer terms)
Commitment
Credits
106
Degree
Type of Degree
This degree prepares graduates to be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to become a licensed physical therapist.
Format(s)
Applied Skills
All students (on-campus and hybrid options) participate in 42-weeks of full-time clinical. This consists of 4 different clinical experiences. The program’s clinical partners provide over 1250 clinical sites across the country.
Hybrid option includes 10 in-person immersions in Pittsburgh, PA, as part of the planned curriculum.
Estimated
Program
Costs
Hybrid option: Review travel and stay cost considerations for this program format.
Program Outcomes
Certification
and Licensure
Graduates of the DPT program (on-campus or hybrid) are eligible to sit for the national examination for physical therapists administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
After successful completion of this exam, and meeting varying state-by-state requirements, the graduate can become licensed.
Learn more about the SHRS programs that meet State Licensure Requirements.
Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement
The University of Pittsburgh DPT program (Residential and Hybrid) is accredited by CAPTE. The program prepares students for practice within the United States and meets the educational degree completion requirements for licensure in all 50 states. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national licensure exam (NPTE). Students should note that the requirements for professional licensure could vary drastically by state as well as country. Because such requirements can change frequently and often without notice, it is strongly encouraged, and is the responsibility of the student, to ensure the degree they earn will meet the requirements for licensure in the state or country in which they seek licensure. Students are encouraged to visit their state and/or country licensing board website for further information. International students interested in gaining employment within the United States upon graduation are encouraged to communicate with their advisor in the Office of International Studies.
View the licensure information by state and U.S. territory by clicking here.
Hybrid Option and State Licensure Preparation Information
Updated July 1, 2024
The University of Pittsburgh has determined that the curriculum of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program hybrid option meets the requirements for licensure or certification in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all the U.S. territories listed below (in accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) and 34 CFR 668.43(c)).
Students should review all requirements for licensure specific to the state where they will practice. Non-curricular licensure requirements vary by state and are updated by each state’s licensing board.
The DPT program prepares students for licensure requirements in 50 out of 50 states and various U.S. territories.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Other:
- Washington, D.C.
- U.S. Territories:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Felony Statement
Notice to Applicants: A prior criminal record may negatively impact your ability to fully participate in the University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. Prior to participating in clinical rotations and during the state licensure process, students admitted to the program will be required to complete a criminal background check. Certain convictions may prevent students from entering clinical facilities, which may hinder a student’s ability to successfully complete the program.
In addition, certain criminal convictions may prevent a graduating student from being licensed. If applicable, we encourage you to check with the appropriate State licensing board(s) to determine whether your background may be a barrier to your completion of the program and future licensure. Additionally, the University may require an internal investigation to determine if the conviction would preclude the candidate from successfully completing the education requirements for graduation, including the clinical education requirements.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Pittsburgh 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 Department Chair and Professor James Irrgang at 412-383-9865, or Vice Chair of Doctor of Physical Therapy Education and Associate Professor David Wert at 412-383-5397 or email ptinfo@shrs.pitt.edu.
The Master of Science in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh is not accredited by CAPTE.
