DPT Programs in Indiana

There are four accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs within Indiana state lines. Residents therefore can put their eggs in different baskets when applying to schools, even if they limit themselves to in state programs. Aspiring PTs can also add to their in state choices by considering online DPT programs, which allow them to earn a PT degree from a reputable university without having to show up to campus physically more than occasionally. Given that there are a variety of options to choose from, this guide was designed to help you understand which programs are 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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Online DPT Programs vs On-Campus Programs in Indiana

The best option between on campus and online DPT programs is the option that works best for you. How do you know what works best for you? You will want to ask the following questions to figure that out:

How do I learn best? Do I find classroom settings more free of distractions, or would an engaging online program keep me more focused?

How will my degree fit into my schedule? Do I have a lot of other responsibilities taking up my time? If so, I might need the reduction in commuting time and the asynchronous format that some online programs offer. Do I need the structure of having to report to class at a specific time? If so I may be best suited to an on campus program.

Am I looking to network and forge social connections? If you are looking to have a social life that involves meeting up with your classmates, you may want to consider an on campus program. However, know that there are many ways to connect with your peers through online programs too – after all you may be reporting to campus at least occasionally even for online programs!

Last Updated 3/8/2021

Online DPT Programs in Indiana

A hybrid DPT program may eliminate commute time and add varying degrees of flexibility into your schedule (depending on delivery method, described below). All online PT programs are considered hybrid because they all require you to report to campus occasionally to learn hands-on skills that are best taught in person.

The other hands on part of the curriculum – clinical requirements – may actually often be completed at a placement site local to you. When applying to online programs, ask where they are able to place students and how much assistance you might get when securing a placement site that is not local to the university.

The hybrid approach allows you to connect with peers in real life and learn the skills you need to become licensed as a physical therapist, while giving you more flexibility.

Online course delivery is delivered in two ways. Programs will utilize at least one of these two delivery formats.

  • Synchronous – requires logging in at a certain time to “go to class” or complete group activities
  • Asynchronous – as long as you complete requirements before they are do, they may be done at whatever time is most convenient for you.

On Campus DPT Programs in Indiana

On campus programs in the state of Indiana include Indiana University, Indiana State University, University of Evansville, and University of Indianapolis. For these programs, you will need to report to campus frequently in order to attend class.

How Long do Indiana DPT Programs Take to Complete?

On average, a Doctor of Physical Therapy program may take two and a half to three years to complete. This is not a hard and fast rule though – you can find shorter and longer programs as well, which will vary in how demanding the workload is during a typical semester.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Indiana 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. Be sure to check with the state licensing agency for specific state requirements:

On Campus DPT Programs in Indiana

The following DPT programs can be found on Indiana campuses:

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Indiana

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

  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 likely need to get approval from both the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and the state of Indiana.
  3. Get Licensed – You may want to make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Indiana 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 Indiana’s state board for exact requirements.