Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) FAQs

A holistic review of all the admissions requirements is conducted, which includes different GPAs such as a core science prerequisite GPA, GRE scores if applicable, resume, statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, clinical observation experiences and if selected, an interview.

Refer to PTCAS for instructions on submitting your GRE scores. Our institution code is 2209.

Applicants who have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher or previously earned a master’s degree are exempt from the GRE requirement. We recommend a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 294 or higher and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher.

For information about program prerequisites, see the DPT Admissions Requirements page.

Admissions recommends that all prerequisite coursework be no more than 5 years old. This is a recommendation and is preferred; it is not a requirement to apply. https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy/dpt-admission-requirements/

The cohort size varies based on the campus, program format & term. Cohort sizes range from 30-65.

Yes, a $100 deposit is required and, in most states, is non-refundable. https://www.usa.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-refund-policy/

Other options will be provided, such as another campus or program format, as well as the opportunity to begin in the next term without having to reapply.

When deciding which DPT program format fits best, think about your learning preferences, schedule, lifestyle, location and how you learn best. No matter which format you choose, all pathways—Residential, Hybrid or Flex—are considered full time.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you compare DPT program pathways:

In the DPT program, the Residential and Hybrid Immersion formats are completed in seven trimesters, while the Flex format takes nine trimesters to complete.* Both pathways require the same 110 credits to earn a DPT degree, but the different timelines let you choose the pace and schedule that best fit your lifestyle and learning preferences.

*Program designed to be completed in this time frame. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.

If you are unable to attend classes on campus during the week per the schedule of the Residential format, want or need to take more time to earn your degree and/or live far from campus, the Flex Doctor of Physical Therapy format might be a good fit for you. Consider these factors before choosing a pathway:

Full-time commitment: Flex is a full-time program. Working full-time while enrolled is not recommended.

Work hours: USAHS does not encourage students to work due to the rigorous nature of the program; however, some Flex DPT students manage part-time work during coursework but reevaluate and minimize work hours as they approach full-time clinical rotations, which require more time and focus.

Weekend labs: Flex includes required 6-8 weekend lab sessions on campus per term, so you will need to plan for travel and availability.

Student-driven learning: You should be comfortable with online coursework and managing your own study schedule.

Switching formats, like moving from Residential to Hybrid Immersion or Flex, is sometimes possible, but it’s handled on a case-by-case basis.

Whether a switch can be made depends on a few factors, including:

• Space in the program you are requesting to transition to.
• Your academic progress.

If you are not sure which path is best for you, your enrollment advisor can help you explore what’s best for you based on your goals and situation.

Here’s an overview of which DPT program formats are available at each campus:

To earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, you’ll need to complete 110 total credits for graduation. This requirement is the same across all program formats—Residential, Hybrid Immersion and Flex—so everyone gets the comprehensive training needed for licensure and professional practice.

When deciding where to attend the DPT program, consider the following factors to find the best fit for you:

• Proximity to home
• Format availability
• Lifestyle preferences
• Cost of living and travel

The first-time and ultimate licensure pass rates averaged over the most recent two years for which there is full data by campus and DPT program format, Residential and Flex, are available on our website’s DPT program page.

https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy/

As a DPT student, you will have the opportunity to work with a clinical placement team and provide areas where you would like to be placed and may have the opportunity to be placed in a city where you will want to practice. All students need to complete a variety of placements in order to graduate, which may not be available in your local area, so travel or temporary housing may be needed for one or more clinical rotations.

As a DPT student, you’ll get hands-on experience in real-world clinical settings that reflect the full spectrum of physical therapy practice. Throughout your rotations, you’ll work with patients across the lifespan, from children and adolescents to older adults, and encounter a wide range of conditions and rehabilitation needs. All DPT students will complete a Category 1 placement.

During your clinical placements, you’ll complete two types of experiences:

Category 1: You’ll work with patients in an inpatient or home health setting.

Category 2: An outpatient, pediatric or specialty clinic where you’ll refine your skills working with specific patient populations.

Clinical rotations in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program begin as follows, based on your chosen pathway:

• Residential and Hybrid Immersion: Trimester V
• Flex: Trimester VII

These clinical experiences mark the shift from classroom learning to focused, hands-on clinical practice in the DPT program.

In the DPT program, you will complete three sequential clinical experiences: Terminal Clinical rotations. Together, they total 32 weeks of supervised clinical practice.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Terminal Clinical I: 12 weeks
• Terminal Clinical II: 10 weeks
• Terminal Clinical III: 10 weeks

During the DPT degree program, the Terminal Clinical rotations are where you get to put everything you’ve learned into real-world practice. You will be placed in clinical sites to practice your skills and apply your knowledge while working with a licensed physical therapist. These Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) rotations provide you with supervised, hands-on experience in clinical settings.

Here’s the timeline for these progressive experiences:

• Trimester V
  • Terminal Clinical I: 12 weeks
• Trimester VI
  • Terminal Clinical II: 10 weeks
• Trimester VII
  • Terminal Clinical III: 10 weeks

As a student, you don’t get to choose your exact clinical placement sites; however, you work with our clinical education team to determine the best placements for your learning style and career goals. The DPT program will work to place you as close as possible to your preferred locations while balancing availability and DPT program requirements.

The Integrated Foundational Sciences course is one of the first major steps in your journey toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. By connecting traditionally separate subjects into a cohesive learning experience, you will discover the interconnections in the human body to lay the groundwork for your future clinical practice.

In this newly designed foundational course, you’ll build core scientific knowledge to support advanced clinical practice. It covers key subjects, including:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics

This course promotes the beginning of your clinical reasoning skill development from day one of your DPT curriculum and fosters knowledge retention to prepare you for advanced clinical practice and a lifelong career as a physical therapist (PT).

In the DPT program, pro bono clinical experiences allow you to apply your learning and work with real patients while developing clinical skills.

These opportunities are hands-on, faculty-supervised and community-focused. They complement your DPT curriculum by bridging the gap between coursework and full-time clinical rotations.

As a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you will get hands-on clinical experience through a variety of innovative immersive lab experiences. Designed to bring coursework to life, this experience is about more than learning concepts. From working through scenarios with fellow peers to simulations with mock patients to working with real patients through our Pro Bono Clinics, apply your education through dynamic, real-world practice. These experiences are built into the DPT curriculum to help you refine your clinical skills.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Clinical simulations
• Pro bono clinical opportunities
• Faculty mentorship

Our Career Services team works with you to help you discover your professional interests and strengths as you prepare for internships and full-time positions. This includes Handshake, career preparation resources, career fairs and events, and job skills coaching. https://www.usa.edu/student-services-at-usahs/career-services/

As a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you’ll be able to choose elective courses that align with your interests and career goals. The successful completion of an elective results in a micro-credential. Completion of three electives in a designated subject area results in a micro-certificate. These credentials help you develop specialized knowledge and skills and will highlight your interest in a PT practice area. Additionally, these micro-credentials will enable you to differentiate yourself in a competitive market.

You can choose electives that lead to micro-credentials and/or a micro-certificate in the following PT practice areas:

• Sports performance & physical therapy
• Orthopaedic manual therapy
• Business leadership & entrepreneurship
• Neurologic physical therapy
• Pelvic health & wellness

For more details about what’s available, please connect with your enrollment advisor.

Choosing electives in subject areas like sports therapy, orthopaedic manual physical therapy or entrepreneurship can give you a competitive edge in your career and an opportunity to explore future specialization options for your career path.

You will benefit from:

• Specialized skills in in-demand areas of practice
• Advanced professional leadership capabilities

You will want to budget for books, fees, materials & associated school fees. You will also be required to become a student member of APTA and attend a minimum of two days at a professional conference during your enrollment in the program. Depending on your living situation & program format choice, you will want to budget for housing, food and transportation costs. 

The publication of Financial Fact Sheets is required by CAPTE and includes average student debt by program, by campus and by program pathway. All available information can be found here (deep link to the DPT Student Outcomes & Financial Fact Sheets drawer).  
 
Beginning in fall 2024, students began a revised curriculum; the first cohorts of the revised curriculum will graduate beginning December 2026 to April 2028, dependent on program pathway. As a result, the average total student debt after completing the DPT program for students who graduated or will graduate between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025, is not available.