Considering Online Physical Therapy Programs For Your Education?

With an online doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) program, you can complete coursework without having to physically be on campus. Due to the nature of the hands-on skills needed to become a physical therapist, professional entry-level online DPT programs are often hybrid––combining online coursework with several on-campus, hands-on experiences as well as clinical placements near you, as APTA describes for entry-level DPT education.

Currently, there are a few accredited online DPT programs you can choose from.

Considering Online DPT Programs and Hybrid DPT Programs?

When looking at online DPT programs, it is important to find a program that fits your professional needs. Many online options are for transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (TDPT) programs, which are designed for students who already have a background in physical therapy (many of them became PTs before a doctorate was required and complete a TDPT to increase their knowledge). For those more interested in research than clinical practice, there are also PhD options in physical therapy. Both TDPT and PhD in physical therapy programs are not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which accredits only professional, entry-level physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs.

Those looking to start their physical therapy careers can always look for regular doctor of physical therapy programs (sometimes called clinical DPT programs). These programs prepare students to become licensed as physical therapists for the first time.

Online/hybrid physical therapy program options for both aspiring PTs and current PTs looking to enhance their knowledge base are listed below.

¹Live classes are defined as classes with specific meeting times during which students log on and communicate with each other and the professor, as the professor delivers a live video lecture.

Compare Online Physical Therapy Program

This list of online physical therapy programs includes programs designed for current physical therapists, who are looking to gain additional education, as well as programs for aspiring PTs.

Online Doctor of Physical Therapy Application Requirements

Most, but not all, professional DPT programs require that applications are submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). According to APTA's admissions guidance, common application requirements can include:

• Bachelor’s degree (unless the program combines bachelor’s and graduate education)
• Transcripts
• Observation hours supervised by licensed PT
• References (see specific reference requirements by school)
• Application fee
• Supplemental materials
• GRE scores
• Prerequisite coursework

Accreditation for Online Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs

In order to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and become licensed as a physical therapist in any state, you must hold a degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, or have foreign-trained education recognized as substantially equivalent by a recognized credentialing agency. As the accreditor, CAPTE describes accreditation as a quality-assurance process that helps ensure your education meets standards to prepare you to be a qualified physical therapist. CAPTE maintains a list of accredited programs.

CAPTE does not accredit programs for current DPTs expanding their knowledge through transitional DPT degrees or PhDs in PT.

Evaluating Online Physical Therapy Programs

Online physical therapy programs can differ greatly in terms of how courses are delivered, how many classes you can take at one time, clinical placement opportunities and more. When choosing between programs, some key considerations include:

Hybrid Physical Therapy Programs

Professional, entry-level online DPT programs are generally hybrid: because they prepare new students for hands-on clinical practice, they combine online coursework with required on-campus labs and clinical placements. You can compare different programs to see how often they require you to be on campus–some requirements may be more manageable than others. A couple of campus visits per semester is fewer than several visits per month. Know what commitments will work for your schedule.

Postprofessional transition DPT programs, designed for physical therapists who are already licensed, follow a different pattern. APTA's transition-DPT program directory lists individual programs as distance-learning only, on-site only, or a combination of the two — so a practicing PT pursuing a transitional DPT may be able to find a fully online option, unlike entry-level professional DPT education.

Live vs. Non-Live DPT Classes

Just because you are completing classwork in your living room doesn’t mean you have to forgo an interactive classroom experience. If real-time interaction with professors and classmates matters to you, look for programs that describe their courses as “synchronous” or “live” rather than fully self-paced.

Physical Therapy Program Clinical Experience

In addition to hands-on learning on campus, you typically will need to complete internships that provide clinical experience to prepare for your career in physical therapy. Clinical education is a required part of DPT curricula, according to APTA.

If you are away from campus, make sure the program that interests you offers the level of support you need to find a clinical placement site.

Cost and Financial Aid

When evaluating programs, it’s worth comparing overall cost alongside format and accreditation, since programs can differ in tuition structure and total cost.

Explore our list of physical therapy scholarships that may help offset the cost of your degree.

Why Choose an Online Physical Therapy Program?

1. Online DPT Programs Offer Flexibility

Because you can complete much of the coursework from wherever you are, an online DPT program can make it easier to balance work, family and other commitments alongside your studies.

2. Physical Therapists Work in a Variety of Settings

Physical therapists can work in a variety of settings, ranging from hospitals to nursing homes to private practice, according to APTA.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for physical therapists was $102,760 in May 2025, compared with a median annual wage of $50,980 for all occupations nationally over the same period.

3. Physical Therapy Can Be a Rewarding Field

Through physical therapy, you can help people gain strength, restore mobility and reduce or manage pain, APTA describes physical therapists as helping patients maximize mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, and improve physical function. The conditions and injuries that physical therapy addresses can significantly impact patients’ well-being, and helping them progress and heal can improve their quality of life.

4. Physical Therapists Need a Doctorate Degree

Students newly entering the field in the U.S. must earn a DPT from a CAPTE-accredited program — or complete foreign-trained education recognized as substantially equivalent — to be eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) under FSBPT's eligibility requirements, and then must be licensed by the physical therapy board in the state where they intend to practice.