Physical Therapy Programs in Florida
Florida offers a variety of options for those seeking a DPT degree. There are campus programs all over the state, and this page also lists online/hybrid programs, which combine online coursework with in-person requirements.
Here’s 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 strongly affect which programs are available to you.
Programs that offer some coursework online are often called hybrid programs, because students complete part of the program online and part in person. DPT programs also include laboratory study and clinical education: according to APTA’s overview of becoming a physical therapist, about 77% of the DPT curriculum is classroom and lab study and the remaining 23% is clinical education.
Ask each school how often and for how long students are required to be on campus before you apply. Because hybrid programs combine online and in-person learning, students can get the best of both worlds, flexibility with the chance to meet and connect with their peers in real life.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Arcadia University’s nationally ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program is available in an online, hybrid model. Led by acclaimed faculty, Arcadia’s DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Students are trained through a mix of online sessions, on-campus immersions, and clinical experiences.
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Complete in 25 months
- 32 weeks of in-person experience
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, as CAPTE’s directory of accredited programs shows.
How Long Will a DPT Program Take?
According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), professional DPT programs typically take three years. 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. Check each program’s published length and class schedule, including how much flexibility students have, before you apply.
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. Also confirm that the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which lists accredited programs in its directory.
| Institution & Program | Delivery Mode | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 25 months | |
Allen CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 3 years |
Baylor UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
Nova Southeastern UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 4 years |
South CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
Tufts UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
| Hybrid | 4 years |
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.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
AdventHealth UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Orlando, FL | 3 years |
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Tallahassee, FL | 3 years |
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Fort Myers, FL | 3 years |
Florida International UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Miami, FL | 3 years |
Gannon University RuskinDoctor of Physical Therapy | Rusin, FL | 3 years |
Nova Southeastern UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4 years |
University of Central FloridaDoctor of Physical Therapy | Orlando, FL | 3 years |
University of FloridaDoctor of Physical Therapy | Gainesville, FL | 3 years |
University of MiamiDoctor of Physical Therapy | Miami, FL | 3 years |
University of North FloridaDoctor of Physical Therapy | Jacksonville, FL | 3 years |
University of South FloridaDoctor of Physical Therapy | Tampa, FL | 3 years |
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 typically takes about three years, and most programs require applicants to earn a bachelor’s degree before admission, according to APTA. Our guide to DPT admissions requirements explains what schools look for. There are also 3+3 options, in which students complete three years of preprofessional coursework before advancing into a three-year professional DPT program, for six years in total (APTA); our overview of physical therapy degree types shows how the formats differ. Look for Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapy programs to ensure you meet Florida’s licensure requirements, because the Florida Board of Physical Therapy requires a degree from a CAPTE-approved program (Florida Board of Physical Therapy, as of September 2026).
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers the NPTE. According to the Florida Board of Physical Therapy (as of September 2026), applicants who have never passed the NPTE apply for licensure by examination, register with FSBPT for the NPTE and the Florida laws and rules exam, and receive an Authorization to Test letter once the Board approves them. FSBPT lists exam fees of $485 for the NPTE-PT and $65 for the Florida jurisprudence (laws and rules) exam, and the Board notes that fees to Prometric, the testing vendor, apply separately.
- Get Licensed – Applicants who have already passed the NPTE must have their score report transferred from FSBPT to the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, while applicants taking the NPTE for the first time have their scores reported after the exam is administered, according to the Board’s process (as of September 2026). Passing the exam does not by itself complete licensure: the Board lists a $180 application and licensing fee, and Florida requires electronic fingerprinting under House Bill 975, so your application cannot be approved until that requirement and all other licensure criteria are met (as of September 2026).
Information last updated: September 2026