DPT Programs in North Carolina

From Duke University to Winston-Salem State, there are a variety of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs offered in the state of North Carolina. In order to maximize your options, you will likely apply to multiple programs. If you are looking to stay local and have even more choices or a more flexible option, you may want to consider online hybrid DPT programs as well. With all of the schools and degree formats available, making a decision can be hard. This resource will help you figure out what programs are a good fit for you.

Arcadia University

College of Health Sciences

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Doctor of Physical Therapy

Earn your DPT from a hybrid program. Experience on-campus immersions and apply skills learned online to patients in person. Complete the program in 25 months. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree but do not need to submit GRE test scores for admission.

• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 
• Complete in 25 months  
• 32 weeks of in-person experience

Request more info from Arcadia University.

University of Southern California (USC)

USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy

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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

With USC’s Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, aspiring physical therapists can earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in an innovative hybrid format. Bachelor’s required.

• Full-time, three-year program 
• 44 weeks of rich, varied clinical experiences 
• Regular visits to USC for on-campus, skill-building immersions

Request more info from the University of Southern California.

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When deciding which DPT programs are worth applying to, eliminating anything that does not mesh with any scheduling needs that you have is a good start. For example, don’t choose a program that mainly offers night classes if you need to be taking your classes during the day and have other evening commitments. Also consider your commute. If getting to campus would be a challenge for you, you may want to put more of your efforts into looking at online/hybrid options. If you are in need of added flexibility in your schedule, you may also want to consider online DPT programs.

Last Updated 2/3/2021

Any online offering of an accredited doctor of physical therapy program is going to fall under the category of hybrid. Because there is a skills component to physical therapy that is best learned in person, any online program currently in existence does require you to report to campus on occasion for in person activities. Fortunately, these visits may be infrequent and your coursework will still be largely online, allowing you to reap the benefits of online learning. Just make sure to ask the schools you are interested in how often you will need to travel and consider how far you need to go so you can make a decision as to whether the travel is feasible for you.

The online aspect of a hybrid DPT program is either taught asynchronously or synchronously (or through both of these modes of delivery). Synchronous learning is anything that happens live, requiring students to join a lecture or activity in real time. If a student can complete an activity or view a lecture on their own time, they are learning asynchronously. Those who are looking to have a learning experience that is as close to the campus version as possible will want more synchronous learning. Those who need more flexibility will appreciate that asynchronous learning allows them to work on their studies when it is most convenient for them.

As with any program with a clinical component, you will need to report in person to clinical placement sites to get the experience you need to become certified as a PT. Check with the programs you plan on applying to about whether they will be able to place you at sites close to home.

Anyone with an undergraduate degree is likely familiar with the process of going to class and taking exams at an on campus program. The coursework component of an on campus graduate program will have many similarities to this experience. As for the clinical requirements, these will likely take place off campus but in the community surrounding the university.

Earning a DPT may take two and a half to three years to complete, but could also take more or less time depending on the program. Ask the programs you are interested in about the specific layout of their curriculum and how long it will take to complete.

You can see the specific program lengths for all North Carolina on campus and online DPT programs in the tables below.

The following hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are available to students in North Carolina.

The following DPT programs can be found on North Carolina campuses:

To become a physical therapist in North Carolina, here are some common steps: