DPT Programs in Montana

University of Montana – Missoula is the only campus in the state of Montana that offers an on campus Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Fortunately, for those in Montana who wish for more options, there are also hybrid online programs that they can complete without relocating. It can be hard to decide between on campus and online DPT programs. This guide will help you think about what factors you should consider when deciding 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

Request more info from Arcadia University.

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

Request more info from the University of Southern California.

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One of the first things you should consider when determining which programs to apply to is what constraints are placed upon you by your schedule. For example, if you have other commitments during the day, you may want to gravitate toward programs with class times that don’t conflict with your other responsibilities. Additionally, Montana is a big state, and Missoula may not be very close to you. In that case, an online program may be the only kind of program you can complete if you do not intend to move in order to earn your degree. If you are a busy person, you may not have time to commute to campus even if you live close to Missoula, and in that case you may also want to consider an online DPT program.

After considering all of your schedule constraints, you may want to start thinking about your learning style and how that would influence which programs are best for you. If your home is full of distractions, you may find the traditional classroom setting up healing. However, if you learn best in the comfort of home, you may want to go with an online program. Today’s online programs sometimes offer some of the benefits once exclusively associated with on campus programs. For example, some programs that are online are delivered via webcam streaming, allowing professors to have discussions with students, leading to a more engaging learning experience.

Last Updated 10/18/2021

At this point in time, there is no such thing as a fully online DPT program. This is due to the fact that becoming a physical therapist requires some level of hands-on learning, which just cannot be done exclusively online. To ensure that students get the experience that they need, students are required to report to campus every so often for in person learning. Despite the occasional trips to campus, online programs still allow students to complete much of their degrees from home.

Online learning can be done in one of two formats – synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous learning is done live, and students must login at specific times to complete deliverables in what is usually a collaborative virtual environment. Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, can be done on one’s own time. Delivery methods such as pre-recorded lectures make asynchronous learning possible. Those who are interested in a collaborative learning environment with maximum interaction between professors and peers may be interested in a synchronous learning environment. Those who need the highest level of flexibility in order to complete their degree may opt for asynchronous learning. It is not uncommon for a program to utilize both synchronous and asynchronous elements.

In addition to reporting to campus for skills learning, online DPT students will also need to complete clinical placements at a physical location. Many online programs will be able to help students secure placements local to them, so although they will have to leave the house, they will not have to relocate. Make sure to ask any programs that you are interested in about if they offer support in securing local placements and what they can do to help you.

As mentioned before, the University of Montana – Missoula is the only on-campus DPT program in the state of Montana. Those who are interested in an on-campus program are probably familiar with the on-campus experience. Students will report to class regularly in order to attend lectures. Clinical placement sites will typically be completed off campus, but in the community surrounding the university.

It may take between two and a half to three years to complete a doctor of physical therapy program. It could also take shorter or longer, depending on the program. Check with the programs you are interested in to see what the timeline looks like.

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

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

The following DPT programs can be found on Montana campuses:

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