Physical Therapy (Online), DPT

A.T. Still University’s (ATSU) post-professional doctor of physical therapy, often referred to in the United States as a transitional (tDPT) program, is a custom degree program configured around the unique needs of each practicing professional, offering maximum flexibility and a full team of support. Offered through ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences, the online physical therapy degree offers curriculum plans that are personalized and student-centric, based on one-on-one assessments of personal experience. Classes can be completed one-at-a-time, as practice and personal life requires, or doubled-up to accelerate degree completion.

ATSU’s Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is designed for those who desire to maintain their relevancy while they continue practicing in the discipline of physical therapy. You will accomplish this as standards are elevated to doctoral status per the 2020 vision set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA):

Length of Program

The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a 1 - 3 year degree program dependent upon the individual plan of study. 64 credits and 25 courses

Admissions

Application Process

Applicants will need to create an account at https://apply.atsu.edu for access to the online application. Instructions are included on how to complete the application and provide us with all required documentation. If you have any questions regarding the online application, please contact Admissions at 877.469.2878 or by email at onlineinquiry@atsu.edu.

Application Deadline

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy applications may be submitted at any time during the academic year and are processed on a rolling admissions basis. Applications are processed routinely to ensure that all class openings are filled for the beginning of each quarter.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy online program must meet the following requirements prior to matriculation.

1. Applicants are required to meet all ATSU and ASHS general admission requirements
2. Minimum physical therapy professional program grade point average of 2.70 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Applicants will have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in physical therapy from a regionally accredited college or university.
   1. Applicants who have graduated from a university outside the United States or Canada must provide an official physical therapy degree equivalency evaluation for admission. This evaluation report must state the physical therapy degree earned abroad is equivalent to the physical therapy degree in the United States or Canada. This evaluation will be paid for by the prospective student. We highly encourage you to speak to one of our enrollment counselors prior to ordering your credential evaluation report. The following are the only credentialing agencies accepted by the post-professional DPT program in determining degree equivalency:
      • Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
      • International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
      • International Education Research Foundation, Inc (IERF)
      • World Education Services (WES)
      • International Credentialing Associates (ICA)
      • Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (The Alliance)
      • Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
4. Applicants will submit official transcripts from all educational institutions attended where a degree was conferred.
   1. Additional transcripts from graduate coursework not leading to a degree may be submitted for advanced credit consideration.
5. Applicants will submit proof of licensure as a physical therapist in one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands
6. Recommendation letters from three professional colleagues must be submitted.
   1. Recommendation letters should be addressed to the Admissions Committee and signed by the author of the recommendation letter.
   2. If the recommendation is in email form, a printed copy of the email including where the email originated (the author’s email address) and date sent should be seen on the printed copy.
7. Applicants will submit an Expanded Portfolio. Specific directions on how to complete the portfolio may be found at: https://www.atsu.edu/pdf/transitional-physical-therapy-portfolio-directions.pdf
8. All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to the Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T Still University. See the ASHS English Proficiency section for more details.
   1. [Transitional] DPT minimum TOEFL score requirements:
      1. TOEFL Paper based total score = 550
         1. Minimum of 56 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 61 - 62 on Writing Skills section
      2. Computer based total score = 213
         1. Minimum of 22 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 26 on Writing Skills section
      3. Internet based total score = 80
         1. Minimum of 21 on Reading Skills section
         2. Minimum of 24 on Writing Skills section

Advanced Standing Admission

See the Advanced Credit  section of the ASHS General Admission Requirements.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the online transitional program, all students must:

1. Complete all prescribed didactic and clinical courses and the capstone project (if required)
2. Pass all courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’ and maintain a 2.70 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
3. Discharge all financial obligations to ATSU
4. Ensure that the mailing address in CampusNexus Student Portal is current. This is the address where the diploma will be mailed.
5. Attending commencement is not required but highly recommended.