Physical Therapy Post Professional Programs—t-DPT, DScPT, Orthopedic Residency Program

These post professional programs are designed to provide practicing physical therapists with the opportunity to obtain post professional studies and an advanced clinical doctoral degree in the field of their discipline without the need to terminate or significantly change their regular employment or lifestyle. All courses may be taken to earn academic credit or continuing education units (CEUs).

Transitional DPT (t-DPT)
The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) is designed to provide advanced learning for practicing physical therapists. The t-DPT student will enhance their skills in medical screening, differential diagnosis, education and research. This degree transitions the clinician to the academic standard of the entry-level DPT graduate.

Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT)
The Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT) is designed to enhance the skills of practicing physical therapists in the areas of orthopedic manual therapy. Andrews University is partnered with the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) to provide the clinician with the skills to become a certified manual or manipulative therapist. This degree will further enhance key areas such as medical screening, differential diagnosis, education, research and clinical leadership

Orthopedic Residency Program
A clinical mentorship and postgraduate educational curriculum designed to prepare the physical therapist as an orthopedic clinical specialist with a focus in manual therapy and clinical reasoning.

Program length

For all programs classes are either taught in a short-course format of no more than six days per session or done by distance learning.

• t-DPT: 2 years, 30-38 credits
• DScPT: 3 years, 64 credits
• Orthopedic Residency Program: 18 months, 17 credits

2012–13 Application deadlines

July 15 for Fall semester

Eligibility and admission requirements

t-DPT

• Hold current licensure as a physical therapist in U.S. or Canada.
• Submit graduate application.
• Submit a minimum of three satisfactory recommendations: one from a currently practicing physical therapist, one from a medical doctor, and one from another person familiar with the candidate.
• Graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.
• For candidates holding a bachelor's degree with no advanced master's, receipt of PTET scores.

DScPT

• Hold current licensure as a physical therapist in U.S. or Canada.
• Proof of employment in an orthopedic setting, at least 20 hours per week.
• Submit graduate application.
• Submit a minimum of three satisfactory recommendations: one from a currently practicing physical therapist, one from a medical doctor, and one from another person familiar with the candidate.
• Graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.
• For candidates holding a bachelor's degree, with no advanced master's, receipt of PTET scores.
• For candidates holding a master's degree or DPT degree, receipt of professional portfolio.

Orthopedic Residency Program

• Hold or be in the process of obtaining licensure as a physical therapist in the U.S. or Canada.
• Submit residency program application.
• Submit a portfolio following program guidelines.
• Submit a minimum of three satisfactory recommendations: one from the ACCE of the physical therapy program applicant attended; one from a faculty member of the physical therapy program applicant attended; one from a clinical supervisor the applicant interned with during physical therapy school. In the case of applicants who have been out of school longer than 3–5 years, the letters of recommendation may follow the same standards as the DScPT applicants.
• Submission of a mission statement and reasons for applying to this program

International students

• Additional requirements may apply for international students, please contact ptpostpro@andrews.edu for additional questions.  

Financial summary

$489/credit for regular tuition
$190/credit for competency credit

Next steps

You can read up on application requirements, finances and frequently asked questions; or submit your application.

Have questions? We have answers. Just email gradenroll@andrews.edu, call us at 269-471-6013, or Skype AndrewsGraduateSchool.

You can learn more about the Post Professional programs on the Physical Therapy Deparment website.