3. What does DPT (Doctorate in Physical Therapy) mean?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a post-baccalaureate degree conferred upon successful completion of a doctoral level professional (entry-level) or post-professional education program. The DPT is the degree conferred upon successful completion of a post-professional physical therapist education program. The “transition” DPT is intended for practicing clinicians and typically offers a didactic and, in some cases, a clinical augmentation that is deemed necessary to meet current and future expectations for physical therapy practice. This augmentation (knowledge, skills, and behaviors) is defined by the difference in content between a practicing clinician’s entry-level education (whatever the year of graduation) and current entry-level education that has not been otherwise acquired through continuing education or specialization (www.apta.org)