DPT Programs in Maine

Husson University and University of New England are the two on campus options Mainers have for pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree within state lines. Maine is a big state – for many, these in-state programs may still pose a rough commute. For those who are looking for more options without having to relocate, there are also some hybrid online options that aspiring PTs can apply to that minimize the amount of trips out of Maine that they need to make in order to earn your degree. This guide can help you understand what 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 Maine

Your learning style may strongly influence your decision to go with an online or in person Doctor of Physical Therapy program. For those who have many distractions at home or just learn better in the classroom, an in person DPT program may be your best bet. For those who learn better on their own couch or at their desk or dining room table, an online DPT program may be a better fit.

For some, the decision to opt for an online program is made for them by their schedules. Some aspiring students lead busy lives juggling family, work, and other obligations. These students may need the reduced commuting and added flexibility that an online program may offer. Some programs even allow students to view lectures on their own time – measures like these can greatly improve a busy student’s ability to fit a degree into their life. For those who do need or prefer the structure of weekly set class times, other online options utilize live virtual “classrooms” which allow students to participate in live classes and discussions.

Last Updated 7/6/2021

Online DPT Programs in Maine

Because some of the learning involved in earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is particularly hands-on, those completing an online degree do typically need to report to campus from time to time for lab work and other activities. This means that any current accredited online offering is what is considered a “hybrid” program – where much of the coursework is completed online but some in person requirements exist. These trips to campus may be no more than a few times per year.

There are a variety of ways in which online DPT coursework may be delivered. All delivery methods fall into one of two categories – synchronous or asynchronous. If you are logging in at a specific time to view a lecture or take part in a verbal or chat discussion, you are experiencing synchronous learning. If you are completing coursework or other learning activities on your own time, you are engaging in asynchronous learning.

In addition to any in person lab work, there is another component of any DPT degree that cannot be completed in your living room. Clinical hours, where students gain much needed real world experience, must be completed at clinical placement sites. If you are looking at online programs, talk to representatives about if they can place you in a site local to you and how they will support you in finding and securing that site.

On Campus DPT Programs in Maine

Husson University and University of New England are the two on campus Doctor of Physical Therapy programs offered in Maine. For these programs, you would attend class on campus as you would in any other on campus program, and clinical hours would likely be completed in the community surrounding the university.

How Long do Maine DPT Programs Take to Complete?

A DPT program typically takes two and a half to three years to complete. However there are programs both shorter and longer than this time frame available.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Maine Students

The following hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are available to students in Maine.

On Campus DPT Programs in Maine

The following DPT programs can be found on Maine campuses:

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Maine

To become a physical therapist in Maine, 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 Maine.
  3. Get Licensed – You may want to make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Maine Board of Physical Therapy 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 Maine’s state board for exact requirements.