DPT Programs in New Jersey

Anyone looking to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the state of New Jersey has multiple choices to consider, including Keton University, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and Stockton University. If you are looking for additional options, you can look to online hybrid DPT programs that allow for the completion of coursework from wherever is most convenient for you. Since there are a variety of ways to complete a DPT program, it can be a challenge to figure out what kind of program is best for you. This guide will help yourself weigh your options so you can determine which programs you want to apply to.

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 New Jersey

A good place to start when making a shortlist of DPT programs to apply to is with your schedule. Think about whether there are times during the day or week where attending class would be less convenient, and make sure to see which of your options best accommodate any limitations that you have. Then, consider where you live in reference to the various campuses, and think about which commutes would be reasonable for you. If you are already becoming concerned about how you will fit a degree into your busy life, you will want to keep reading this article to learn more about online DPT programs, which may offer you more flexibility.

Last Updated 12/13/2021

Online DPT Programs in New Jersey

Any current online doctor of physical therapy program offerings are in actuality hybrid programs because they do require some trips to campus for skills learning that is better taught in person. While these trips do mean you need to travel to campus at times, they are infrequent and you will still benefit from the ability to complete much of your coursework online. Just make sure to consider how feasible these trips to campus will be for you given your schedule and the location of the schools in reference to where you live.

Online classes can be delivered in one of two formats – any live format that requires students to log into class at a certain time is what is called synchronous, and any format that allows you to learn on your own time is what is called asynchronous. Synchronous learning benefits students who want an online experience that mimics the benefits of traditional classroom learning, such as class discussion. Asynchronous learning benefits students who have limited availability and need the highest level of flexibility in order to complete their degrees.

Any DPT program, even the online ones, will require you to report to clinical sites to complete clinical requirements. The real world learning that takes place at these sites is critical for your preparation to enter the field. Ask the hybrid DPT programs that you are interested in if they are able to place you at sites local to your home so that you do not have to travel or relocate to complete these requirements.

On Campus DPT Programs in New Jersey

If you have already earned your bachelor’s degree, you are likely familiar with the on campus learning experience. On campus programs require students to report to lectures and take exams in the classroom to earn credits towards their degrees. As for the clinical component of on campus programs, you will likely report to placement sites located in the community surrounding your university.

How Long do New Jersey DPT Programs Take to Complete?

Earning a DPT can take about two and a half to three years to complete, or even more or less time depending on the program. Always consult the specific programs that you are interested in to get clear information on the curriculum timeline.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to New Jersey Students

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

On Campus DPT Programs in New Jersey

The following DPT programs can be found on New Jersey campuses:

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in New Jersey

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