DPT Programs in Delaware

There is only one on campus Doctor of Physical Therapy program accredited in the state of Delaware – University of Delaware. Thankfully – those who are looking for more options without leaving the state have a selection of hybrid online Doctor of Physical Therapy programs to choose from. This guide will help you evaluate your options so you can choose which is best 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

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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On-Campus Programs vs Online DPT Programs in Delaware

Whether an online and on-campus DPT program is a better choice really depends on you personally. Some people, for example, are more distracted when learning at home, and may do better when they have a classroom to focus in. Others may already have a jam packed schedule and will require the convenience that comes with earning online in order to consider earning a degree at all.

Online DPT Programs

If you are looking for a DPT degree with online components, a hybrid program is your answer. Because of the hands on nature of physical therapy, some program requirements must be completed in person, making a fully online program impossible. While you will need to go to campus every so often for lab requirements, you will still have the convenience of completing most coursework online. Plus, you will usually be able to complete clinical hours components at placement sites in your own community (make sure to check with the programs you are applying to to learn more about how they can assist you in securing a placement site).

With this model you will enjoy the convenience of completing your coursework in the comfort of home, and varying levels of flexibility of when you complete your work (depending on the program). If live video lectures are a part of the curriculum, you may even be able to forge strong connections with peers right in the virtual classroom!

There are two types of online learning formats:

  • Synchronous – any activity completed in real time where students/professor interact
  • Asynchronous – anything completed on a student’s own time

You should always contact programs directly to best learn how they are delivered.

On Campus DPT Programs

You are probably already familiar with the on campus experience from your undergraduate program – students attend class on campus several times per week in order to complete courses and earn credits. With on campus DPT programs, clinical requirements will still typically be completed off campus at placement sites.

How Long do Delaware DPT Programs Take to Complete?

A DPT program can typically take two and a half to three years to complete, though the exact time frame can be even shorter or longer than this. Even hybrid programs have this level of variation in how long it takes to complete the program.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Delaware 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 Delaware

The following DPT programs have Delaware campuses.

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Delaware

To become a physical therapist in Delaware, 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 Delaware.

Get Licensed – Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation 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 Delaware’s state board for exact requirements.