Program Overview
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) - PhD in Bioengineering program combines the entry-level DPT leading to licensure as a physical therapist, with a PhD in Bioengineering that will prepare the student to become an independent researcher.
Contact Information
Patrick Sparto, PhD, PT
Co-Director, DPT-PhD Program
Department of Physical Therapy
Bridgeside Point 1, Suite 210
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130
Phone: 412-383-6732
E-mail: psparto@pitt.edu
Application Process
The application opens in mid-June and will need to be submitted through the PT Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) by December 1 for admission to the program the following August. The application is reviewed by faculty in both departments.
Admission Requirements
Students will need to meet the admission requirements of both programs.
Prerequisite Coursework (minimum credit hours listed is based on a semester system equivalent)
Students will need to meet the prerequisite requirements of both programs.
Academic Standards
In addition to the University-wide academic rules and regulations as detailed in the General Academic Regulations section of this catalog, the DPT program is regulated by the SHRS Academic Standards, as well as the policies and procedures in the SHRS Graduate Student Hanbook and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Handbook.
Curriculum Overview
Students will follow the typical plan of study for DPT residential students for the initial seven terms (i.e., 2.3 years) of the program. Then students will follow the plan of study for PhD students in Bioengineering. Clinical internships and research experiences will be performed throughout the program. At a minimum, the program will take 6 years to complete. After completing the didactic and clinical requirements of the DPT program, the student will be allowed to take the licensing exam. Students are required to write and orally defend a dissertation to complete their PhD degree.
DPT Curriculum
Our rigorous curriculum is built around 4 key areas: basic science, clinical science, leadership & professional development,and critical inquiry. The DPT plan of study integrates the basic sciences and clinical practice, emphasizes evidence basedpractice and includes a comprehensive array of course off erings in musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary,cardiopulmonary, geriatric, and pediatric physical therapy, as well as course content related to leadership & professional development. The first 5 terms are comprised of both didactic instruction as well as two full-time clinical education experiences that are a duration of 6 weeks. The curriculum concludes with two 15-week terminal clinical educational experiences (Summer-Fall). The curriculum is designed to emphasize early and intensive integration of our students into the clinical environment throughout their educational program.
PhD Requirements
The Department of Bioengineering follows university guidelines on students working toward joint degrees like the DPT-PhD in Bioengineering. Typically, we have waived the life science requirement (6 credits) as comparable coursework is covered in the physical therapy curriculum. The remaining course requirements closely follow requirements for the PhD in Bioengineering.
- Bioengineering Track Courses - 9 credits*
- Life Sciences (successfully completing the lecture and lab components of Human Anatomy coursework fulfills this requirement) - 6 credits
- Graduate Electives (successfully completing Musculoskeletal I & II fulfills this requirement) - 6 credits*
- Graduate Engineering Mathematics - 3 credits
- Statistics for Bioengineers - 3 credits
- Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Bioengineering (or equivalent bioethics course) - 3 credits
- Seminar - 6 credits total, 4 credits must be BIOENG 2023 - BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR SERIES . One of the four seminars can be substituted with a Preparation for STEM academic career course, when combined with appropriate certification. The other 2 credits may be from BIOENG 2023 or any other seminars deemed appropriate by the Graduate Program Director. Please see list of Approved Seminar Courses for suggestions.
- BIOENG 2900 - GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND PROPOSAL-WRITING WORKSHOP (grant writing) - 1 credit
- Students should refer to SSOE policy regarding the minimum number of dissertation credits (BIOENG 3997 and BIOENG 3999) required for graduation.
*The standard policy for PhD students is 9 credits of track courses and 6 credits of electives. There is an exception for the Bioimaging and Signals track, for which the requirement is 12 credits of track courses and 3 credits of electives. DPT-PhD students in this track must take all four track courses, in which case only 3 elective credits are waived.
Total number of credit hours: 72 credits minimum, which includes 6 credits to fulfill life science requirement but does not include credits from foundational courses if applicable.
DPT/PhD students are also required to complete two teaching practicums before presenting their PhD proposal (comprehensive examination). No more than one practicum can be undertaken in a semester. There is no course registration for this educational experience, and fulfillment is monitored by the department.
Please see the Department of Bioengineering’s PhD Requirements page for more details.
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