DPT Programs in Alaska

Alaska does not have any accredited on campus Doctor of Physical Therapy programs that students can attend – thankfully there are online or hybrid DPT programs that Alaska residents can apply to and can complete without relocating!

On-Campus Programs vs Online DPT Programs in Alaska

It is important to consider the following when choosing between on-campus and online DPT programs in Alaska. To start – there are no on campus accredited DPT programs in Alaska, so one would have to move out of state to attend a program on campus. Such a move is worthwhile for students who learn significantly better in an in person environment. For those who learn well in an online environment, online programs eliminate commute time and may offer additional flexibility such as the ability to complete work on your own time. Other online programs do require meeting for class at set times – but this may come with the advantage of being able to interact with your peers in real time, through video streaming, chat, or other mediums. It is important to note that currently, accredited online physical therapy programs are all hybrid, which means occasional trips to campus will be required for lab and hands on assignments and activities.
Last Updated: 12/21/20

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

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

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Online DPT Programs

Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs allow students to complete the coursework portion of their degree from the comfort of home. While they will still need to report to campus every so often for hands on sessions, this online component adds a significant degree of flexibility to the program. Clinical experience requirements can often be completed locally.

Online Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are delivered in two main ways:

  • Synchronous – delivery of coursework is in real time 
  • Asynchronous – students complete course requirements on their own time

These two forms of delivery vary greatly and mean that online courses can be very different experiences depending on the program. Make sure to know what delivery formats are offered by the programs you are applying to.

On Campus DPT Programs

On campus courses are completed in a classroom, but such programs are not currently offered in the state of Alaska.

How Long do Alaska DPT Programs Take to Complete?

DPT programs often take two and a half to three years to complete, but sometimes more or less time. Hybrid programs range from accelerated options to longer four year programs if classes are spaced out for flexibility. Often hybrid programs follow a cohort format.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Alaska Students

The following are examples of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Be sure to check with the school to see if they are authorized to operate in your state.

On Campus DPT Programs in Alaska

There are currently no accredited on campus DPT programs in Alaska.

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Alaska

To become a physical therapist in Alaska, here are some common steps. Be sure to check with the state licensing agency for specific state requirements:

  1. Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree – Consider looking for physical therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) which may help you ensure you meet certification requirements in the future.
  2. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – To do this, you will need to get approval from both the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and the state of Alaska.

Get Licensed – Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Alaska State Physical Therapy Board so that the state can issue your certification once you pass and check with the board to make sure you meet any additional requirements for licensure. This is a high-level overview, make sure to check out Alaska’s state board for exact requirements.