Choosing a School for Your DPT

As of May, 2007 there are 210 accredited physical therapy programs in the United States, 34 of which are at the Master’s degree level; the remaining 176 now offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Since all are accredited, the level of degree is one choice any prospective student needs to consider. A Master’s degree does not necessarily mean the length of study or the credits are substantially different than the DPT, and through the standards of accreditation, no less rigorous in terms of preparing the entry-level physical therapist. So it becomes important for you to carefully evaluate the schools you might wish to consider based on cost, location or other selection criteria you may consider as important in your decision. By visiting the web site of the American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) you can review schools in an organized way and compare key criteria including a general description of the program, faculty, admissions process, tuition and fees, length of the program and the degree conferred, among others. You can also link directly to the program’s web site to further explore the more specific elements of the program and school in general. The APTA web site also provides substantial information regarding the preparation of physical therapists, the changing field of physical therapy, employment opportunities, practice issues, research, government affairs and accreditation. Only graduates of accredited programs may take the national licensing examination that permits you to practice, once graduated. The accrediting agency is the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

With so many factors weighing into your decision, it is our recommendation that, at minimum, you carefully consider:

• The depth, breath and experience of faculty and faculty:student ratio.

  At UM, we believe the faculty should be a blend of research trained faculty (PhD or equivalent) and clinically trained faculty (DPT, specialization and/or many years of experience). Preferably, all faculty will have both clinical and research/scholarship expertise at varying levels. The practice of contemporary physical therapy is grounded in scientific evidence, what we often refer to as evidenced-based practice (EBP). New graduates in physical therapy should be trained as practitioners of EBP and versed in the necessary requisites for good clinical research practice so they may best evaluate the evolving science of physical therapy practice.

• Availability of on-site clinical experiences.

  Regardless of where you attend school you will be required to spend a portion of your education in clinical environments under the supervision of a physical therapist. Attending a school where there is an on-site clinic enhances the learning potential through convenient experience under the supervision of clinical instructors and faculty obviously proving patient care consistent with the curricular philosophy. In addition, patients/clients are more readily available for evaluation in the context of regular on-campus course work. At UM we are pleased to have two clinical environments, the Nora Stael Evert Physical Therapy Clinic and the New Directions Wellness Center.

• A location that you love to live in for three years.

  Physical therapy school is challenging, so finding a location for your training that is comfortable and speaks to your outside interests is important to maximize your enthusiasm and energy for school. Look for an environment that decreases excess stress – consider the ease of commuting, access to essential services and a recreational scene that suits your interests. Can you ride your bike or walk to school? Is the bus service low cost (at UM it’s free)? We have provided links to help you better understand Missoula and the surrounding area and would encourage you to examine the pros and cons of the communities you are considering in relation to the school.

We strongly recommend you pick several schools in your application process to maximize your chances of being admitted, so think carefully about all the factors we’ve identified here – and others we may have missed that are important to you.