2026-2027 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog
Physical Therapy, DPT - Hybrid Program
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Program Requirements
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is the entry-level professional degree designed to prepare students for a career as a licensed physical therapist in the United States. The program is a 2.3 year (7-semester) course of study that includes both didactic education and clinical internships. The program is built to develop self-directed and accountable practitioners who can deliver cost-effective, evidence-based care across a wide range of settings and patient populations. Graduates are equipped to enhance human movement and function using evidence-based practice principles and are prepared with a strong foundation for continued growth in specialized areas, as well as for contributing to the advancement of the physical therapy profession.
The curriculum is structured around four key areas: basic science, clinical science, leadership and professional development, and critical inquiry. Through an integrated plan of study, students connect foundational sciences with clinical application while engaging in comprehensive coursework across major areas of practice, including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, cardiopulmonary, geriatric, and pediatric physical therapy. To ensure graduates are fully prepared for entry into professional practice, the program combines rigorous didactic instruction with extensive clinical education. Students complete 42 weeks of full-time clinical internships, beginning with early clinical exposure in the second semester and culminating in two 15-week terminal clinical experiences. This emphasis on early and continuous clinical integration supports the development of confident, competent practitioners ready to enter the workforce. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), a requirement for licensure and clinical practice. Students are responsible for understanding and meeting licensure requirements for the state or country in which they intend to practice. Because these requirements may vary and are subject to change, it is strongly recommended that students regularly review the applicable regulations to ensure compliance.
NOTE: In order to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act and if you have a criminal record you may not be able to become licensed to practice as a physical therapist after graduation. Should you have concerns regarding your eligibility, we recommend you contact your state licensing board for further clarification. Additonally, many clinical sites will require a Child Abuse clearance (Act 33), Criminal Background check (Act 34), and a drug screen prior to participation in a clinical education experience. If you do not have a clean background check for either Act 33/34 clearance, or a clean drug screen you may not be able to participate in Clinical Education and therefore will not be able to meet the DPT requirements for graduation.
Contact Information
Will Pitt, PT, DPT, PhD
Director of Hybrid DPT Education
Associate Professor
Director of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Curriculum
Department of Physical Therapy
Bridgeside Point 1
100 Technology Drive, Suite 210
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130
412-383-3263
Fax: 412-648-5970
E-mail: ptinfo@shrs.pitt.edu
Website: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | Pitt SHRS
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements and procedures listed below are for the DPT Residential and Hybrid program formats.
Prerequisites
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
Completion of the following courses, while not required, it is preferable that courses be completed within the past 5 years with a minimum of a C grade or higher. At the time of the application no more than 4 courses can be outstanding or in progress. Any offer of admission will be contingent upon the successful completion of any remaining prerequisites by July 1 prior to the start of the DPT Program. Academic performance on outstanding coursework should not deviate from the performance reflected in the application materials.
- Chemistry I and II sequence with labs, 8 credit hours.
- Physics I and II sequence with labs, 8 credit hours.
- Biology I and II sequence with labs, 8 credit hours.
- Anatomy (human, vertebrate, comparative or anatomical kinesiology), 3 credit hours.
- Physiology (human physiology preferred), 3 credit hours.
*A two course sequence of anatomy/physiology may meet the anatomy and physiology requirements as long as there is a total of 6 credit hours.
**Science courses must be for science majors or pre-med majors. Introductory or remedial courses are not accepted as prerequisites.
- Two courses in Psychology that should include a general psychology course and a specialized psychology course such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, psychology of disability, sports psychology - 6 credit hours.
- Statistics, 3 credit hours.
- English Writing (English composition or an upper-division writing course), 3 credit hours.
NOTE: While not required, faculty have found taking an undergraduate course in Exercise Physiology benefits students during their first term in the DPT program. GRE not required.
Transcripts
Applicants are required to provide official transcripts from every U.S. college and university attended.Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.
Letters of Recomendation
Submission of three (3) letters of recomendation attesting the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.
- One (1) letter MUST be from academic reference - a professor/instructor from a course(s) for which the applicant was enrolled. The academic course must either be a pre-requisite for the DPT program OR a course associated with student’s major area of study. The letter should include insights regarding the applicant’s potential for successful navigation through a graduate-level professional degree program and provide specific examples of observed characteristics that support such insights.
- One (1) letter must be from a physical therapist that the applicant has shadowed.
- One (1) letter of recommendation may be completed by any of the following: physical therapist, professor/instructor, academic advisor, minister, employer/supervisor, life coach/mentor, research faculty, internship supervisor/faculty, or athletic coach. While it is preferred that the letters of recommendation be completed by individuals from a variety of settings, it is permissible to submit Two (2) letters from a similar source (two different physical therapists, or two different employers/supervisors, two different professors, etc.).
Experience
Applicants must have demonstrated evidence of adequate exposure to the field of physical therapy and an appreciation of the breadth, depth, and scope of practice. This can be accomplished through either volunteer or paid work experience in a physical therapy setting; 50 hours of exposure required. It is preferable for applicants to show evidence of the willingness to work with a variety of patients in different physical therapy settings; we prefer to see the 50 hours completed in at least two (2) different clinical settings.
Technical Standards
The Department faculty have outlined the Technical Standards deemed essential for successful completion of the DPT curriculum. Students admitted to the DPT program must review the Technical Standards and submit a signed form indicating that they meet the Technical Standards at the time of matriculation into the program.
Application Process
Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is offered on a full-time basis only. The program begins annually in the Fall Term. The application cycle opens in mid-June and closes on October 1 each year. All applicants must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants can access the application through the Department website.
Within the PTCAS application, applicants must select the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the application portal. Applicants will also be required to indicate their preferred program format (Residential, Hybrid, or Either) within the system.
A complete application includes the following components:
- Completed PTCAS application
- Application fee
- PTCAS personal statement
- University of Pittsburgh essay question (included within the PTCAS application)
Applicants who are interested in the dual degree Doctor of Physical Therapy/PhD in Bioengineering program must apply directly to that program in the PTCAS application portal.
NOTE: There is a specific designation for the Pitt DPT/PhD dual degree program and at this time, the dual degree DPT/PhD program is only available to students participating in the DPT Residential option.
If applicable:
- Enter all international (non-United States/foreign) institutions you have attended on your PTCAS application. Order a WES ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation from World Education Services (WES) through the PTCAS application.
- Verification of English Language Proficiency is required unless the following apply:
- the applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English
- the applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., or
- the applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.
- If required, provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores in your PTCAS application, and request an official TOEFL scores report be sent to TOEFL code “5312” by the application deadline.
Community Engagement & IPE Requirement
Prior to graduation, students in the DPT Program are required to complete 2 Community Engagement activities and 3 Interprofessional Education (IPE) experiences, totaling 5 unique activities across the 7-term program. Additional details regarding this requirement can be found in the Student Handbook.
DPT Curriculum
Plan of Study*
Statute of Limitations
All requirements of the DPT must be completed within three years. Extension of the statute of limitations may be granted if there are extenuating circumstances. Such requests, listing reasons for the extension and the amount of additional time needed, must be approved by the department chair.
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.
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