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
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is currently accepting applications for enrollment to the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program from the following states: AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, ND, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY.
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 twelve credits each ensuing full calendar year.
