Colleges in Texas are known for their innovative medical and healthcare programs. In this blog post, I have uncovered a host of hybrid DPT programs in Texas that you can enroll in to gain 21st century knowledge and skills and advance your career as a physical therapist.
If you are seeking career advancement in physical therapy, it is best you get a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A DPT degree will equip you with the latest physiotherapy techniques, practices, and knowledge, as well as, prepare you for leadership roles in the healthcare field.
You can go for a DPT degree right after high school but in this case, an accelerated DPT program will be best because it takes only 6 years, instead of 7, to complete and confers both a Bachelor’s and DPT degree at the same time. You may also go for the DPT program if you are already a licensed and practicing physical therapist but want to advance your career.
Those already in the healthcare field, maybe practicing as a medical assistant or massage therapist who are considering switching careers can also go for the DPT program to gain professional skills and equally advance their careers. In this case, it’d be best to go for the accelerated 2-year DPT program so you can graduate faster and get working. The traditional track takes 3 years.
You may also consider a hybrid program that will not interfere with your busy schedule, this way you can still be working in your current position while taking classes for your DPT degree. This is why hybrid programs exist, to make learning flexible for working professionals while taking your career to the next level.
What is A Hybrid DPT Program?
Before I go on to explain what the hybrid DPT program means, let’s take a brief look at what a hybrid program is.
A hybrid program is an innovative learning and teaching model that combines online learning with in-person or on-campus instructions to enable the program offered to become flexible for busy individuals. It is also known as a blended degree program.
According to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) – which also offers one of the best hybrid DPT programs in Texas – a hybrid DPT program is a blend of online and on-campus learning models that consists of 8 semesters and 96 credit hours. The program is designed to equip learners with a range of real-life skills beyond the classroom like independent research skills, proficient communication, and time management to optimize learning.
What Are The Benefits Of Hybrid DPT Programs?
If you need reasons to enroll in a hybrid DPT program, here they are:
- You can graduate in as little as 24 months and start working
- Students get to learn from the comfort of their own homes and take clinical rotations at a facility close to them.
- It does not interrupt your current work and builds a work-life balance for you.
- You get to connect with professionals like yourself from different parts of the world thereby building a network of friends from around the world.
These are the benefits of hybrid DPT programs and the reasons why you may want to consider going for them.
Hybrid DPT Programs In Texas
As I mentioned earlier, Texas is home to some of the most innovative medical schools in the country, so it does not come as a surprise that schools in the state have these hybrid DPT programs. I have listed and discussed these programs below with the schools offering them so that you can easily find one that suits you best.
The hybrid programs in Texas are:
- New Hybrid DPT Program – The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
- Innovative Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – Baylor University
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) –Texas Woman’s University
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) – The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
- Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Online – Arcadia University
1. New Hybrid DPT Program – The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
First on our list is the New Hybrid DPT program offered by UTMB. The program is a blend of online and in-person learning that consists of 8 semesters and 96 credit hours. To apply for the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 CGPA on a scale of 4.0 and submit GTRE scores, transcripts, three recommendation letters, and other student profile data.
Application for the program is done online.
2. Innovative Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – 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 (DPT) –Texas Woman’s University
Here is another hybrid DPT program in Texas that you may consider applying for. The program is offered by Texas Woman’s University. The degree consists of 8 semesters, 98 credit hours, and 32 weeks of clinical experiences/rotations that take 33 months to complete.
Interested applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any major, math and science GPA above 3.0, a GRE score, and a minimum of 80 hours observing two physical therapists.
4. Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) – The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
This program has two formats and you can go for anyone that suits you best. The first is the Residential Format which consists of 8 trimesters and takes 2 years and 7 months to complete. The program is a blended didactic course plus in-person labs on weekdays. While the Flex Format consists of 12 trimesters that take 4 years to complete. This program is online coursework plus in-person labs on weekends.
Requirements to enter the program include a bachelor’s degree, GRE score, statement of purpose, two references from two licensed physical therapists, and 80 hours of work in a physical therapy facility.
5. 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 26 months to complete and leaves you as a licensed physical therapist. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. To apply, you must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 from your bachelor’s degree, submit GRE scores, official transcripts, and personal statements, and have some experience working with a physical therapist.
These are the few hybrid DPT programs in Texas. They aren’t many but you can make a choice from here or apply for the traditional track which is offered only on campus.