Transitional DPT Program

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

A Message from the Department Chair

Welcome to the Department of Physical Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University!

If you want a career that involves helping people of all ages to meet their individual health needs and improve their quality of life, then physical therapy is the field for you. If you want to pursue a physical therapy degree from a highly ranked program with a great reputation, located in a dynamic medical environment, in a vibrant urban setting, with a faculty devoted to graduating students who are prepared to practice in tomorrow's healthcare environment, then the DPT program at Thomas Jefferson University is the program for you!

Jefferson's Department of Physical Therapy offers two programs, the entry-level Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program and a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program for practicing clinicians.

The entry-level DPT program is a three-year post-baccalaureate program based on a clinical problem-solving approach to healthcare issues. The curriculum features a strong basic science background with emphasis on evidence-based physical therapy practice and a variety of opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through laboratory and clinical education experiences. Graduates of the program are not only prepared to examine and treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems, they are also prepared  to provide patients with information on injury prevention and to develop health maintenance programs for people at all stages of life. They are prepared to apply scientific knowledge, humanistic values, critical analysis and a systematic approach to patient care when making clinical decisions.

Practicing physical therapists that have a BSPT or MSPT may earn a transitional DPT degree at Jefferson in as few as 12 months. This program is designed for students who work full time. The hybrid design includes online coursework and on-site classes, usually one or two days during the weekend per course. The curriculum focuses on topics that are not typically included in many baccalaureate and master's level programs, such as differential diagnosis, pharmacology and radiology and integumentary systems.

A Jefferson education involves more than simply learning the skills and facts that a physical therapist needs to know; students also learn how to adapt quickly to today's dynamic healthcare environment. The curriculum emphasizes the professional behaviors advocated by the APTA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, such as respecting the rights and dignity of patients, acting in a trustworthy manner, and maintaining and promoting high standards for physical therapy practice, education and research.

Ann E. Barr, PT, DPT, PhD
Chair and Professor

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