Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
Tia Hughes, OTD, MBA, OTR/L
Associate Dean of the College of Rehabilitative Sciences for Occupational Therapy
Dr. Tia Hughes joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in June 2020 as Associate Dean of the College of Rehabilitative Sciences for Occupational Therapy. Dr. Hughes has been a faculty member and academic leader at AdventHealth University in Florida since 2002, serving as the Program Director for the occupational therapy programs. Her clinical experience includes settings such as acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, inpatient rehab hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and public schools. Dr. Hughes’s research interests include adult physical rehabilitation, disabled driving, OT in the penal system, and vision therapy.
She is a member of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and has been published by local and state organizations. Dr. Hughes also has authored several chapters in Occupational Therapy for Children and Youth under IDEA, 3rd Ed. (2007), Foundations of Theory and Practice for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (2017) and Guest Editor for DiZazzo-Miller & Pociask’s Preparing for The Occupational Therapy Assistant National Board Exam: 45 Days and Counting (2017).
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida at Gainesville, a Master of Business Administration with emphasis on health care administration from Southern Adventist University and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University.
