DPT Programs in Maryland

Online DPT Programs vs On-Campus Programs in Maryland

Your decision to pursue either an online or on-campus DPT program may come down to your learning style. An in-person DPT program may be a good choice for those who need a classroom in order to focus or who run into a lot of distractions at home. An online DPT program, on the other hand, may be the right call for someone who is able to focus better in the comfort of home, or when they are not stressed about commuting to and from campus!

The kind of options that are feasible for some aspiring physical therapists can sometimes be limited by schedules and other commitments.

Those who are already juggling work, family, or other responsibilities may find that commuting to campus several times per week or even attending class at a set time is a tall order. In these cases, online learning may make earning a degree all the more possible. From eliminating commute time to allowing students to view lectures when it is most convenient for them, online hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs provide varying levels of flexibility for students.

Online DPT Programs in Maryland

No matter what online physical therapy program you choose to complete, all current offerings will likely require you to come to campus from time to time to complete labs or other in-person activities. There are just some hands-on aspects of learning to become a physical therapist that cannot be taught sufficiently online at this moment in time. Because some trips to campus are required in order to earn a degree, these programs are considered hybrid programs rather than true online programs.

CAPTE’s glossary of delivery models, updated July 2026, describes one model as “online with in-person instruction,” in which a significant portion of the curriculum is delivered online along with required in-person sessions. Despite the campus trips, the fact that much of the coursework is completed online still creates a lot of convenience for many students.

The online portion of these hybrid programs may be delivered in a variety of ways, and each way will fall under one of two categories. First, there is synchronous learning. With synchronous learning you log in to view coursework delivered in real time. Then, there is asynchronous learning, which is not live and is completed on your own time (so long as you adhere to due dates). Examples of synchronous learning include live lectures streamed via webcam or a live chat on a discussion board. Examples of asynchronous learning include readings or viewing prerecorded lectures.

Clinical education is part of the DPT curriculum. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) describes clinical education as a component of DPT programs, and CAPTE’s glossary defines it as the part of the professional curriculum in which student learning occurs by being immersed in physical therapist practice. That immersion gives you real-life experience in the field as you prepare to become a physical therapist. When applying to online programs, ask each school how it helps students secure placement sites and whether those sites can be arranged near where you live.

On Campus DPT Programs in Maryland

Maryland has two on-campus Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, and you would attend class on campus as you completed them. Clinical education is part of both programs: according to one program’s clinical education page and the other’s, each includes part-time and full-time clinical experiences. Ask each program how it arranges placement sites and where they are located before you apply.

How Long do Maryland DPT Programs Take to Complete?

A DPT program is often completed in two and a half to three years. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) says professional DPT programs typically take three years and the traditional program averages two and a half years, while some programs compress academic requirements into a shorter time span. However, some programs take less or more time than that, as the hybrid programs in the table below show.

The table below lists the study length for each hybrid DPT program shown for Maryland students. For the two on-campus programs, check each university’s website for its program length.

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Maryland Students

The following hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are listed for comparison; confirm Maryland eligibility and residency requirements with each school.

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Maryland

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

1. Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree – Consider looking for physical therapy programs accredited by CAPTE, which may help you ensure you meet licensure requirements in the future. APTA states that practicing as a physical therapist in the U.S. requires a DPT degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing a state licensure exam. Maryland’s licensing law also requires applicants educated in the United States to have graduated from a program that was accredited by CAPTE or approved by APTA in the year of graduation. Admission requirements vary, so it helps to compare DPT admissions requirements by school before you apply.
2. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – According to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, you register for the NPTE through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) once you meet the eligibility-to-graduate requirements, request that the board be notified of your score, and must pass the exam to be fully licensed.
3. Get Licensed – Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be sent to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners so that the state can issue your license once you pass, and check with the board to make sure you meet any additional requirements for licensure. As of September 2026, the board’s requirements for licensure by examination for graduates of U.S. programs include an online application with a nonrefundable $150 fee, a criminal history records check, proof of graduation from your program, and a score of at least 90% on the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM), a 35-question online exam based on the Maryland Physical Therapy Act. The board says applications can take up to 60 business days to process and that only licensure-by-examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license. The board lists separate requirements for applicants educated outside the U.S. This is a high-level overview; check the board’s website for exact requirements.

Physical therapist wages in Maryland

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists (SOC 29-1123) in Maryland had a median annual wage of $106,890 in May 2025, compared with a national median annual wage of $102,760. In Maryland, the 10th percentile annual wage was $79,990 and the 90th percentile annual wage was $138,630. These Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates cover physical therapists in wage-and-salary employment and exclude the self-employed, according to the BLS OEWS technical notes, so wages for new graduates and for self-employed therapists may differ. For more on what shapes pay, see our physical therapist salary guide.