Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)

Optional Specializations

All students enrolled in the tDPT program are eligible to earn a specialization in one of the following areas of study:

• Manual Therapy
• Primary Care
• Craniofacial

The required courses for each specialization can be found in the tDPT Curriculum section of this page. Coordinate with your advisor to learn more.

Optional Certification Tracks

Choose an optional Certification Track to specialize in Craniofacial, Primary Care, or Manual Therapy. For more information view the curriculum below.

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Curriculum

Specializations

BS level students choose 4 credits, MS level students choose 15 credits.  Some specialization courses may require a seminar prerequisite.  View our Continuing Professional Education section for more details.

General Electives

*FCO, while not required for certification, is highly recommended

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Curriculum for International tDPT Students

Students Residing Outside the United States 

Please note that many countries have their own accrediting and licensing bodies, and degree recognition and licensure differ from country to country. Additionally, a number of countries do not recognize online degrees for employment or promotion purposes, particularly government agency employment or promotion. University programs are designed to meet accreditation, licensure, and other requirements in the United States. If you reside outside of the United States, it is important that you review and understand the requirements of your country of residence to confirm licensure requirements, as well as recognition of your program for employment or promotion purposes in those countries.

*Disclaimer: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) International (Foreign-Trained) tDPT curriculum has been specifically designed to meet the most common areas of academic requirement by foreign-trained/educated physical therapists seeking licensure in the U.S. However, this is not a guarantee that all academic requirements of the FSBPT or state specific Boards of Physical Therapy will be met upon tDPT degree completion.

License Eligibility

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) has established the credentialing standards (Coursework Tools – CWT) for U.S. licensure eligibility for the NPTE¹. A list of credentialing organizations can be found at the FSBPT website².  In order to become eligible for U.S. licensure, all academic transcripts, including USAHS tDPT transcripts, must be evaluated and credentialed.

All prospective licensees are required to take (and pass) the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). ¹ State specific laws/rules examinations may also be required for licensure once the national exam is complete³. Each state has specific academic requirements for eligibility. The state board of physical therapy in which you wish to practice will have additional details to consider when completing the Degree Completion Plan for the tDPT program.

1. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). (2021). Non-U.S. Candidates. Retrieved from https://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates/NationalExam(NPTE)/NonUSCandidates.aspx
2. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). (2021). Credentialing Organizations. Retrieved form https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/CredentialingOrganizationsforNonUSCandidates.aspx
3. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). (2021). State Licensing Authorities: Contact Information. Retrieved from https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/LicensingAuthoritiesContactInformation.aspx

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the program is open to all physical therapists who entered the profession with a bachelor’s degree or master’s in physical therapy from an accredited institution. It is expected that all applicants are licensed or eligible for licensure in the United States; however, those international students who are not planning to pursue licensure in the United States are exempt from this requirement. If the student plans to complete a clinical residency, he or she must be a licensed physical therapist in the state where the residency is located.

Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning must be submitted directly to the University in accordance with the Application for Admission instructions.

International Students Applying for Admission

Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degree programs can be considered for admission. All instruction at the University is conducted in English. To be considered for admission to the transitional DPT program, the following criteria will apply:

• The candidate must submit transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in the United States. Physical therapists who graduated from a physiotherapy program that is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) do not need to submit a credentialing evaluation as part of the application process.
• The candidate must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if his or her education was completed in a language other than English. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based testing), 210 (computer-based testing), or 83 (IBT—Internet based testing) is required.

Notification of Status

The applicant will be notified via e-mail from the University of his or her admission status after review of all required application materials by the Admissions Committee.

Academic Requirements

To remain in the transitional DPT program, the student must:

• maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA; and
• register for a minimum of one course within 12 weeks of acceptance and a minimum of 12 credits each ensuing full calendar year.

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Tuition & Fees

The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program length will vary depending on the student’s incoming degree – Bachelor’s or Master’s. Students work at their own pace, provided they complete at least 12 credits per year. Total program tuition and estimated fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are as follows.

Financial Aid

Student loans may be available to assist with funding your tDPT program. USAHS has financial aid counselors who are available to explain your options.

Financial aid counselors can be reached by email, phone, or on campus. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in each time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.

Please visit our Financial Aid Contact page for more information.

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Institutional Accreditation

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001.

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402
Alameda, CA 94501
510-748-9001
www.wascsenior.org
For more information visit our Accreditation page.

The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is not subject to accreditation by CAPTE.

State Approvals

USAHS currently is accepting applications for enrollment in the tDPT program for residents of the following states:  Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

USAHS is not accepting applications from states where the institution does not have state authorization. However, prospective students are encouraged to check back in the near future as the program may be offered in additional states.  USAHS’ tDPT program is not designed or intended to lead to professional licensure in any state.

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Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)

Click the program below to view the program data:

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) – 24 Credit Program
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) – 60 Credit Program

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