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At a Glance
Imagine the possibilities of this highly competitive dual-degree program. You will be engaged in the didactic coursework and clinical experiences of Pitt’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and qualified to take the DPT licensing exams. In addition, you will follow a plan of study in a specific area of bioengineering and delve into extensive research that will lead to a PhD.
This dual-degree program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or an engineering-related discipline, with a strong interest in making a difference in the fields of physical therapy and bioengineering.
Application
Start Term
Fall term (August)
Starting with curriculum of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program
Application Opens
June 16, 2025
Application Closes
Priority Deadline: November 3, 2025
Final Deadline: December 1, 2025
Commitment
and Credits
Duration
Minimum of 6 years
(19 terms minimum, including some summer terms)
Commitment
Credits
106 for DPT
72 for PhD
Degree
Type of Degree
This program is co-directed from leadership in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Swanson School of Engineering.
Format(s)
Applied Skills
The DPT portion of the degree will require the student to participate in four (4) clinical education placements. Students also participate in two (2) research lab rotations.
PhD students are required to complete two teaching practicums before presenting their PhD proposal (comprehensive examination). No more than one practicum can be undertaken in a term. There is no course registration for this educational experience, and fulfillment is monitored by the department.
Students are required to write and orally defend a dissertation to complete their PhD degree.
Estimated
Program
Costs
Program Outcomes
The program combines the entry-level DPT leading to licensure as a physical therapist, with a PhD in Bioengineering that will prepare the student to become an independent researcher.
Average Class Size
3
Certification
and Licensure
Graduates will have their DPT degree and will be 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.
Accreditation
Doctor of Physical Therapy
The DPT portion of this 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 James Irrgang at 412-383-9865 or Program Director David Wert at 412-383-5397 or email ptinfo@shrs.pitt.edu.
Student
Handbooks
No handbooks found for this department.
