SHRS is now offering a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Hybrid option. The hybrid format is an expansion of the Department of Physical Therapy's long-standing, highly ranked residential program. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) recently approved PT's hybrid offering and a reduction in the length of its entire DPT program—both residential and hybrid options—from 8 to 7 terms (about 2.3 years).
“The DPT-Hybrid option will allow students from diverse backgrounds and geographic areas to take advantage of the education offered by Pitt’s top-ranked DPT program. One of the goals of developing the program is to offer DPT education to students who might be limited by financial costs, an inability to relocate or family commitments,“ explains Dr. Kim Nixon-Cave, director, DPT-Hybrid option. “Students will complete their clinical experiences in or near their home communities which will hopefully encourage graduates from the program to stay in these areas creating increased access to PT services in regions that are typically underserved."
“PT’s hybrid offering will make use of the same curriculum and plan of study as the residential DPT program. Hybrid students will participate in asynchronous and synchronous online learning activities and will come to Pittsburgh twice per term to learn and practice the hands-on and clinical decision-making skills required of physical therapists,” says Dr. James Irrgang, chair, Department of Physical Therapy. “In the DPT-Hybrid option, students will complete 42 weeks of full-time clinical education in their communities to hone their clinical skills. Upon graduation we expect hybrid students to achieve the same exceptional educational outcomes for which our program is known.”
Students may apply to the DPT program beginning June 15, 2021, on PTCAS. The Department will accept 30 students into the DPT-Hybrid format this August and up to 90 hybrid students each fall starting with the 2022 cohort.
To view a list of all SHRS online and hybrid programs, click here.