Physical Therapy Working For You: Doctor of Physical Therapy/title> </head> <body> <div id="container"> <div id="header"> <div id="logo_w1"></div> <div id="logo_w2"></div> <div id="header_text"> <p></p> </div> <ul> <li><a href="/site.html">site index</a> | </li> <li><a href="/links.html">links</a> | </li> <li><a href="/pt.html">physical therapy</a> | </li> <li><a href="/glossary.html">glossary</a> | </li> <li><a href="/clinics.html">clinics</a> | </li> <li><a href="/about.html">about</a> | </li><br /><br /> <li><a href="/store.html">product store</a> | </li> <li><a href="mailto:drhubbard@ptworkingforyou.com">email</a> | </li> <li><a href="/index.html">homepage</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="content"> <div id="left"><br /><br /> <p align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></p> <h1><br />The Doctor of Physical Therapy</h1> <p>The <i>Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)</i> is a post-baccalaureate degree conferred upon successful completion of a doctoral level professional (entry-level) or post-professional education program. <br /><br />The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree serves as a credential. It signifies completion of the current requirements needed to enter the profession and represents the completion of a comprehensive program and the fulfillment of high standards of clinical performance in professional preparation. <br /><br />The DPT degree was created by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Their Vision 2020 states that "By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health." <br /><br /> Even though, the Physical Therapists holding a BSPT (Bachelor's degree) or MSPT (Master's degree) are not required to obtain a DPT, they are encouraged to do so for the advancement and growth of the profession of Physical Therapy. </p> <p align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></p> <br> <b>Professional degree (the entry-level)</b><br> <br> The "first professional" DPT is the current degree conferred upon successful completion of a physical therapist professional (entry-level) education program in the United States. This program prepares the graduate to enter the practice of physical therapy. The entry-level DPT Program is designed for individuals just entering the field of physical therapy for the first time. This three year program prepares students holding a bachelor’s degree in a field other than physical therapy to become a licensed physical therapist.[<br> <br /><br /> <b>Transitional degree</b><br> <br> The "transitional" DPT is the degree conferred upon successful completion of a post-professional physical therapist education program. The "transition" DPT is intended for licensed physical therapists who are already practicing clinicians and typically offers a continuing education which includes current topics in physical therapy practice. Several universities offer post-professional "transitional" DPT programs. Most of these are completed in one to two years of part-time, or they may be completed online.<br /> <b>Advanced clinical science degree</b><br> <br> The "advanced clinical science" doctorate (eg, DPTSc, DHSc, ScD etc.) is one of several degrees conferred by institutions upon successful completion of a post-professional physical therapist education program. This program is intended to provide an experienced clinician with advanced knowledge, behaviors, and clinical skills, usually in a specific specialty area. These programs may include specialization, certification, or clinical residencies.<br /> <br /><br /> <b>Related Links</b><br> <a href="/dpt1.html" target="_blank">List of schools currently offering a DPT or tDPT degree</a> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Vision_20201&CONTENTID=48048&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm#BM1" target="_blank">FAQ about the DPT (APTA)</a> <br><br> <a href="http://www.rehabpub.com/features/102001/2.asp" target="_blank">The Future of PT</a> <br><br> <a href="http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Vision_20201&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=285&ContentID=32061" target="_blank">APTA Vision 2020</a> </p><br /><br /> <div id="photos"> <img src="/images/photo1.jpg" alt="photo" /> <img src="/images/photo2.jpg" alt="photo" /> <img src="/images/photo3.jpg" alt="photo" /> <img src="/images/photo4.jpg" alt="photo" /> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <h2><br />Diagnosis Specific Information</h2> <p align="center"><html> <body> <p> <form action="http://www.ptworkingforyou.com/searchr.html" id="cse-search-box"> <div> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="partner-pub-4756479705648351:47acxkymtpp" /> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:10" /> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="ISO-8859-1" /> <input type="text" name="q" size="30" /> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" /> </div> </form> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/coop/cse/brand?form=cse-search-box&lang=en"></script> </p> <p><a href="/ankle.html">Ankle Sprain</a><br> <a href="/acl.html">Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (ACL)</a><br> <a href="/oa.html">Arthritis</a><br> <a href="/avn.html">Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)</a><br> <a href="http://www.bestbabysigns.com" target="_blank">Baby Sign Language</a><br> <a href="/bpsafe.html">Backpack Safety</a><br> <a href="/tbi.html">Brain Injury</a><br> <a href="/sb.html">Bursitis</a><br> <a href="/cp.html">Cerebral Palsy</a><br> <a href="/cva.html">Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)</a><br> <a href="/cervical.html">Cervical Pain</a><br> <a href="/dm.html">Diabetes</a><br> <a href="/falls.html">Falls</a><br> <a href="/disc.html">Herniated Disc</a><br> <a href="/hip.html">Hip Pain</a><br> <a href="/knee.html">Knee Pain</a><br> <a href="/lbp.html">Low Back Pain</a><br> <a href="/ss.html">Lumbar Stenosis</a><br> <a href="/meso.html">Mesothelioma</a><br> <a href="/ms.html">Multiple Sclerosis</a><br> <a href="/cervical.html">Neck Pain</a><br> <a href="/oa.html">Osteoarthritis</a><br> <a href="/parkd.html">Parkinson's Disease</a><br> <a href="/pf.html">Plantar Fascitis</a><br> <a href="/rc.html">Rotator Cuff</a><br> <a href="/sb.html">Shoulder Bursitis</a><br> <a href="/shoulder.html">Shoulder Pain</a><br> <a href="/st.html">Shoulder Tendonitis</a><br> <a href="http://www.bestbabysigns.com" target="_blank">Sign Language</a><br> <a href="/ss.html">Spinal Stenosis</a><br> <a href="/cva.html">Stroke</a><br> <a href="/st.html">Tendonitis</a><br> <a href="/thr.html">Total Hip Replacement</a><br> <a href="/tkr.html">Total Knee Replacement</a><br> <a href="/tort.html">Torticollis</a><br> <a href="/tb.html">Trochanteric Bursitis</a><br> <a href="/vs.html">Venous Stasis</a><br> <a href="/wound.html">Wound Care</a><br> <br> </p> <p>Looking for a Physical Therapy School? <br> » <a href="http://www.dptschools.com" target="_blank">DPT Schools</a></p> <p>Need information about Hip Fractures??<br> » <a href="http://www.brokenhip.us" target="_blank">Hip Fractures</a></p> <p>Need information about a Total Hip Replacement?<br> » <a href="http://www.totalhipreplacement.us" target="_blank">Total Hip Replacements</a></p> <p>Need information about a Total Knee Replacement?<br> » <a href="http://www.totalkneereplacement.net" target="_blank">Total Knee Replacements</a></p> </body> </html> </p> </div> <div id="footerline"></div> </div> <div id="footer"> <p align="center"><html> <body> <p align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <br><br> <font color="white"> Copyright © 2005 Physical Therapy Working for You. <a href="mailto:drhubbard@ptworkingforyou.com">Contact us</a> <a href="/disclaimer.html">Disclaimer</a> <script language="JavaScript">  </script> <br><a href="http://www.dadwon.com" target="_blank">Common Sense Divorce and Custody Information</a> </p> </font><br /><br /> </body> </html> </p> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-4912246-3"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-4912246-4"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); </script> </body> </html>