Are you looking to advance your career as a physical therapist? Then you should consider enrolling in one of the 2 year DPT programs discussed in this post. The programs are accelerated, equipping you with professional skills and making you job-ready in no time.
Physical therapy is a profession that offers job security, fulfillment because you’re helping others feel better, a high salary, and it is less stressful compared to other roles in the healthcare field. As a physical therapist, you can work in a range of healthcare settings and even in other industries.
There are many opportunities that come with being a physical therapist which is among the many reasons why the growth rate of this profession is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
To become a physical therapist, you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution, then take the licensure exam to begin practice. For starters, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in a science field before you can apply for the DPT program and then earn your licensure.
It is a long process of education and training that takes a total of 7 years to complete but there are accelerated physical therapy programs that take 6 years to complete and you will get both your bachelor’s and DPT degrees upon graduation and get into the workforce faster.
Here in this article, I have curated a list of the best 2-year DPT programs that you can take online, offline, or both. The 2-year DPT program is a great option for those already in one of the healthcare professions and wants to switch careers or want to advance their careers in physical therapy.
Rather than going back to college and taking 6 or 7 years for the program, they can enroll in one of the accelerated 2 year DPT programs, earn professional skills and training, and become job ready in no time. When you complete this 2-year program, you will equally be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Licensure Exam.
The traditional DPT track takes 3 or 4 years to complete which means you will spend more time and money compared to doing an accelerated 2 year DPT program, which will save you one or two years’ worth of money on housing, books, tuition, and cost of living. Also, while others are in their third year in the program, you are already working and earning over $95k in that year.
Having said that, let’s get into the main topic.
2 Year DPT Programs Online & Offline
2 year DPT program is a fast-track physical therapy program that equips you with professional skills and gets you job ready with a degree and license in as little as 24 months. The program is a rigorous one with three semesters per academic year and shorter breaks in between and few to no summer breaks.
Due to how demanding the program is, it is highly selective and only the best of the bests are selected. But once you’re selected, you will graduate and be job-ready faster than those in the 3-4 year DPT programs.
The following are the 2 year DPT programs offered by various universities to fast-track your academics:
- Transitional DPT – The University of North Carolina
- Innovative Hybrid Doctor or Physical Therapy – Baylor University
- Doctor of Physical Therapy – Tufts University School of Medicine
- Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Online – Arcadia University
- Transitional DPT – Andrews University
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Hybrid Program – South College
- Online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (T-DPT) Program – The University of Michigan–Flint
- Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy – Shenandoah University
1. Transitional DPT – The University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers an accelerated 2 year Transitional DPT (tDPT) program for licensed therapists looking to gain additional skills and knowledge along with a doctoral degree. The tDPT is also for those seeking to advance their clinical knowledge and skills. This is a distance education program that combines online learning with ongoing clinical application.
The program curriculum covers the clinical foundation core, clinical practice core, and specialty practice core. Therapists interested in clinical or academic teaching can also apply for the program.
2. Innovative Hybrid Doctor or Physical Therapy – Baylor University
Baylor University is a prestigious higher institution in the US ranked #22 in best medical schools for research and #16 for best medical schools for primary care by the US News. Here at Baylor, you can enroll in the professional hybrid DPT program that takes 2 years to complete.
As a hybrid program, it combines distance education, on-campus lab immersion sessions, and clinical education to prepare you as a physiotherapist in a short time.
3. Doctor of Physical Therapy – Tufts University School of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine is a world-class institution that offers innovative medical programs. It is ranked #81 in clinical and health studies by Times Higher Education (THE). The Tufts DPT program employs an accelerated, hybrid education model that trains high-performing healthcare professionals to meet team-oriented healthcare demands in the modern world.
The program is offered in two locations; Boston and Arizona, which makes it easier for students to partake in hands-on learning and gain clinical skills.
4. Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Online – Arcadia University
The hybrid DPT online program is offered by Arcadia Health Sciences Online, a division within Arcadia University. The program is delivered through a mix of online lessons, on-campus immersions, and hands-on clinical experiences, this way, students across the country can earn their DPT without relocating.
The program takes 25 months to complete and leaves you as a licensed physical therapist.
5. Transitional DPT – Andrews University
The School of Graduate Studies at Andrews University is offering an online and on-campus transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program that can be completed in 18-24 months. The program is designed for practicing physical therapists to advance their medical skills and knowledge in research, therapeutic exercise prescription, imaging and laboratory science, differential diagnosis, and other areas.
To qualify for the program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university, 2 years of work experience as a physical therapist, English proficiency test scores, 3 recommendation letters, and transcripts from previously attended institutions.
6. Doctor of Physical Therapy Hybrid Program – South College
South College boasts of being the first in the US to offer the 2-year DPT program. The hybrid program is accelerated and designed such that you can complete the program from anywhere in the US. The program combines a unique curriculum, clinical education, and post-professional residency to fast-track your career in physical therapy.
To apply for the program, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a minimum of 3.0 GPA or higher, a GRE score, two reference letters, English language proficiency, an approved criminal background check, and completion of, at least an, 50 hours of volunteer or work experience with a licensed physical therapist.
7. Online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (T-DPT) Program – The University of Michigan–Flint
If you are seeking a DPT program that is offered 100% online, the University of Michigan-Flint is offering one. The online DPT program is designed for practicing physiotherapists with an interest to earn a DPT degree. Enrolling in this program will polish their knowledge and skills, broaden their clinical perspective, and prepare them to become a competent doctoral-level physical therapist.
The program takes 2 years to complete and students will have access to academic and research resources at the Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor campuses.
8. Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy – Shenandoah University
Practicing physical therapists who want to learn new techniques, gain fresh clinical skills and knowledge, and advance their careers may consider enrolling in the 2-year transitional DPT program offered at Shenandoah University. Even if you have a busy schedule, the program is designed to fit a busy lifestyle and not mess up your existing responsibilities.
Graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in just 2 years with professional skills that will improve the way your help others.
From the information here, picking a DPT program that will advance your career will become easier for you, and fast-tracking your academics and career has never gotten better.
2 Year DPT Programs – FAQs
How long are most DPT programs?
Most DPT programs take 3 years to complete.
What type of DPT makes the most money?
The DPT that makes the most money are those that specialize in Sports Medicine and treat athletes. Their salary ranges from $214, 302 to $319,351 per year.