DPT Programs in New Mexico

There is one on campus Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program offered in the state of New Mexico – at the University of New Mexico. Likely, you will want to apply to multiple programs to maximize your chances of getting into physical therapy school. For those who want to stay local and still widen their search (particularly if they live far from the state’s only campus), there are also some online hybrid options to consider. This guide will help you better understand the choices that you have so that you can apply to the programs that are the best fit 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 New Mexico

When making that list of DPT programs to apply to, consulting your schedule is a good place to start. If you would be unable to attend class at night, for example, you would want to make sure not to apply to any programs that are heavy on night classes. Additionally, if there are no campuses within reasonable commuting distance from your house, you will want to think about whether you want to relocate or limit your search to options that you can complete online. Those who are in need of higher levels of flexibility will also want to consider online DPT programs.

Last Updated 12/13/2021

Online DPT Programs in New Mexico

The online doctor of physical therapy programs that currently exist are what are considered to be hybrid programs. This is because there are some on campus requirements for each of these programs, due to the fact that some skills needed cannot be adequately taught online at this time. Luckily, these requirements are infrequent and you will still benefit from the fact that much of your class work will be completed online. Just make sure to get a sense of how frequently the programs you are interested in will require you to travel and whether making it to campus at the required times will be possible for you.

The online portion of these hybrid programs will be taught either synchronously or asynchronously (or through a mix of these two formats). Any live component that requires students to log in at a specific time and interact with others is synchronous. Anything that can be completed at a student’s convenience is asynchronous. Synchronous learning will appeal to those looking for a program that more closely mirrors the on campus experience, while asynchronous learning will appeal to the students who need more flexibility.

Hybrid physical therapy programs will require you to complete clinical requirements in person at clinical placement sites. These experiences will help prepare you to treat patients in real life and are necessary for certification. Make sure to check with the programs you are interested in about whether they can place you at sites near your home.

On Campus DPT Programs in New Mexico

Anyone with an undergraduate degree is likely familiar with the process of going to class and taking exams at an on campus program. The coursework component of an on campus graduate program will have many similarities to this experience. As for the clinical requirements, these will likely take place off campus but in the community surrounding the university.

How Long do New Mexico DPT Programs Take to Complete?

Earning a DPT could take two and a half or three years from  start to finish, or depending on the program more or less time. The best way to get a sense of how long it will take you is by asking the programs that you are interested in directly.

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

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to New Mexico Students

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

On Campus DPT Programs in New Mexico

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

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

To become a physical therapist in New Mexico, 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 Mexico.
  3. Get Licensed – You may want to make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the state organization governing PTs 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 Mexico’s state board for exact requirements.