Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program FAQs
When may I apply and what is required with the application?
You may apply at any time. We have a “rolling admission,” which means you may enter the program at any time of the year. After all required application documents have arrived at the University, it takes approximately three to four weeks for the review process. You will need to provide a copy of your PT license, resume or curriculum vita, three professional references, official transcripts and the completed application form. Foreign trained students have additional requirements (credentialing evaluation and TOEFL if English is not your native language).
What choices do I have in completing this program?
You have several. The University of St. Augustine offers two delivery methods of coursework: purely online or through a combination of attending seminars and completing an online t-DPT credit assignment following the seminar. You have a wide selection of courses to choose from. Your course selection is up to you based on your professional interests and selection of delivery formats.
How long does this program take to complete?
Master's degree students entering the program will need to earn 24 credits and it will take approximately four years (part-time). Bachelor’s degree students entering the program will need to earn 60 credits. It is important that you take courses each semester so you are able to graduate within these time frames. Most of our t-DPT students work fulltime and are able to complete their coursework in the evenings and on weekends.
Are the University and its programs accredited?
We are licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education to offer all of our degree programs. The University of St. Augustine’s entry level DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has accredited our entry level OT program. The University is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is authorized by the Department of Education to accredit distance education programs.
What does the Transitional DPT Program cost?
The program would cost approximately $10,700 to $13,000. This cost is determined upon the courses you choose and previous completion of some seminars for Continuing Education. Online course tuition is $443/credit for pure online courses and $190/credit when a seminar is a prerequisite. Seminar fees and tuition are subject to change. If you have already completed a certification with the University, you will only need to pay for the online learning credit assignment and the cost is approximately $5,800.
Will I have to come to St. Augustine and for how long?
You will only need to come to St. Augustine if you choose to take one of the University’s Certification Examinations. Most seminars are offered throughout the country and the credit assignments are completed online.
What is Certification and how does it work?
Certification is a specialty track of study you follow. At the completion of all seminars in the track, you register and attend the Certification Preparation week. Comprehensive written, oral and practical exams are held at the end of the review week. The Certification exams are held several times a year in St. Augustine. We currently offer certifications in Manual Therapy, Primary Care, and Cranio-mandibular- Head-Neck & Facial Pain.
May I complete my Certification first and then enter the program?
Yes, some people have already received their Certifications prior to applying to the program. The certification course is three credits. Once enrolled in the t-DPT Program, you may receive these credits with no time limit for when you completed the certification.
How many years after taking the seminar do I have to take the online portion?
There is no time limit between when you attend the seminar and when you start the program. You may need to purchase an updated seminar manual in order to closely follow the online credit assignment.
I’ve never taken an online course before. How will I know what to do?
The University of St. Augustine has an online orientation program to help you to learn how to navigate the online learning platform and prepare you for being an online learner. There is also a help section on all courses and tech support that is readily available to all online learners. Anyone who can send an email and search the web for information has the skills necessary for completing an online course.
How do the online courses work?
After your register, you’ll receive a password to enter the course through the USA website. The entire course is taken online with a group of students with instructor led discussions on a bulletin board, audio/video clips, required readings, and weekly quizzes. You will be guided through the course content with a unit-by-unit breakdown of the information that includes asynchronous interaction with students and faculty.
How do the seminar + online courses work?
Seminars are held all around the United States and abroad. You register for the seminar and attend at a convenient location. After the seminar, you take the online t-DPT Credit Assignment. The credit assignment consists of articles and/or textbooks to read and completion of an online course as described above.
Are there any required courses I have to take?
For students entering with a bachelor’s degree, there are 8 required courses: Differential Diagnosis, Pharmacology, Imaging, and Clinical Integration I, Clinical Integration II, Clinical Integration III, Clinical Integration IV, Clinical Integration V. All students in the program complete either the Capstone Project or a Clinical Residency.
What does the Capstone project consist of?
The Capstone Project is the final course of your program. You may choose to write a patient case report on a patient you have recently treated or one article on a health related topic (that is publishable quality). You are assigned a faculty advisor who will oversee your proposal development and the writing of the project.
When do I do the clinical residency?
The Clinical Residency is optional and is an alternative to the Capstone Project. If you are planning to complete a residency, it is recommended that you apply for the residency at the beginning of your program. There are two forms that need to be completed and reviewed by the University. It takes approximately three months to get the approval. In the meantime, you may attend seminars and complete credit assignments.
How many credits will I need and may I transfer in credits?
At any time during the degree program you may transfer in credits that pertain to the physical therapy course of learning. The University will consider up to three graduate credits from other institutions provided they meet our criteria and have not been applied to another degree.
Does the University have Financial Aid available?
There are loans that are available, but there are no scholarships or grants at this time. Please contact Donna McCutchan in the Financial Aid office at (800) 241-1027, ext. 208 for more information.
May I teach with a DPT degree?
This is a clinical degree that is equivalent to the entry-level DPT that students entering Physical Therapy are now earning. Therefore, this degree will probably not help you to garner a faculty position at a University. Ultimately, it would be up to the University you were applying to. If you wish to teach, then you should consider the DHSc or EdD programs, which is a research-based academic degree.