| University | Format | Campus Visit Requirement | Study Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | Hybrid | Twice per term | 3 years |
| Arcadia University SPONSORED | Hybrid | Eight on-campus immersions | 25 months |
| Baylor University | Hybrid | Twice per semester | 2 years |
| Nova Southeastern University | Hybrid | Every 4th week | 4 years |
| South College | Hybrid | Quarterly | 2 years |
| Tufts University | Hybrid | Eight visits | 2 years |
| University of Southern California (USC) SPONSORED | Hybrid | Up to twice per semester | 3 years |
| University of St. Augustine | Hybrid | Twice per month | 4 years |
Physical Therapy Programs in Florida
Florida offers a variety of options for those looking to earn their DPT degree. There are campus programs all over the state, as well as online/hybrid options that allow you to earn a good chunk of your degree from the comfort of your own home. Here is some information on the DPT programs available to Floridians.
Should I Choose an On Campus or Online DPT Program?
One question to ask yourself as you start researching DPT programs is whether you want to have an on campus or online experience. Both are great options, but your preference will have a strong effect on what program options are available to you.
Currently, any DPT program with online coursework is considered a hybrid program, as there are always requirements for students to come to campus multiple times per semester. While these on campus requirements exist, the hybrid option still requires far less campus time than a traditional program. Because there are some campus requirements – students can in a sense get the best of both worlds – flexibility with the chance to really meet and connect with your peers in real life.
Arcadia University
College of Health Sciences
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
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
SPONSORED
It is important to note that not all hybrid programs offer the same experience. Some will have online requirements that are mainly asynchronous – not live and completed at a time when one chooses. Others will have live, synchronous courses where students and professors sign on simultaneously for virtual classes. Synchronous coursework allows for more live engagement amongst students, while asynchronous coursework allows for more control over exactly what time class is attended.
If you are looking for an on campus experience, there are several options for that in Florida as well.
How Long Will a DPT Program Take?
You can expect that your DPT program will take about 3 years to complete, though some programs will take longer and some will take less. For hybrid programs, some will take as many as four years but recently, some accelerated two year hybrid options have become available. Most programs will be in a cohort format, meaning that your class schedule will be predetermined for you and there will be minimal flexibility in terms of what course load per semester will look like.
You can see the specific time to completion for all Florida on campus and online DPT programs in the tables below.
Typical Online (Hybrid) DPT Programs Available to Students in Florida
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 Florida
The following DPT programs have campuses located right in the state of Florida. There are campuses all over the state – from University of North Florida in Jacksonville to University of Miami in Miami to University of Central Florida in Orlando.
| University | Location | Study Length | GPA Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth University | Orlando, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Florida International University | Miami, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Gannon University Ruskin | Rusin, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Tampa, Florida | 4 years | 3.0 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of Miami | Miami, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville, Florida | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, Florida | 3 years | 3.2 |
Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Florida
To become a physical therapist in Florida, here are common steps:
- Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree – This will probably take you about 3-4 years. There are also 3 and 3 options for those who want to earn their bachelor’s and doctorate in 6 years total. Loop for Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapy programs to ensure you meet certification requirements in the future.
- 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 Florida.
- Get Licensed – Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Florida Board of Physical Therapy so that the state can issue your certification once you pass.
Last Updated June 2020