Physical Therapy Programs in New York
There are many schools in New York that offer Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. For graduates of a program registered by New York State or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), licensure as a physical therapist in the state requires a doctoral degree in physical therapy; applicants with other education or an out-of-state license follow separate routes, according to the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions (verified Sept. 29, 2026).
New Yorkers can take advantage of on-campus programs, and they can also consider the hybrid DPT programs listed below, which combine online coursework with in-person requirements.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Arcadia University’s nationally ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program is available in an online, hybrid model. Led by acclaimed faculty, Arcadia’s DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Students are trained through a mix of online sessions, on-campus immersions, and clinical experiences.
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Complete in 26 months
- 32 weeks of in-person experience
Should I choose an on-campus or online DPT program?
When looking for the right DPT programs to apply to, ask yourself whether you want to complete your degree online or on campus. Both options are great for different reasons, and knowing your preference will help narrow your options.
Hybrid DPT programs deliver part of the curriculum online and require you to complete other parts in person. How the two are mixed, including how often you would need to be on campus, varies by school, so review each program's schedule before you apply. The benefit of a hybrid program is that you get the best of both worlds: an opportunity to connect with peers and faculty in real life as well as the flexibility that online courses offer you.
Not every hybrid program is the same. Some are delivered through live, synchronous courses that allow you to participate in real time and interact with your cohort via webcam – all helping you stay engaged. Asynchronous courses are completed on your own time and do not require you to attend live sessions – giving you more flexibility as to when you can view your lectures. Consider which format fits your needs most.
If you are looking for an on-campus experience, there are several options for that in New York as well.
How long will a DPT program take?
A DPT program typically takes three years to complete after a bachelor's degree. In the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education's 2025 aggregate program data (fact sheet last updated July 13, 2026), just over half of U.S. programs (54.1%) used a four-year bachelor's degree followed by a three-year professional phase. The professional curriculum averaged roughly 122 weeks, including about 35 weeks of full-time clinical education. Length varies by school and by delivery format, so compare each program's schedule. If a program uses a cohort format, you take all of your classes with the same group of students, giving you the chance to make meaningful connections.
You can see the specific time to completion for the New York on-campus and online DPT programs listed in the tables below.
Online (hybrid) DPT programs in New York
The following are examples of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Be sure to check with the school to see if it is authorized to operate in your state, and confirm its accreditation status in CAPTE's directory of accredited programs (accessed Sept. 29, 2026).
| Institution & Program | Delivery Mode | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 25 months | |
Allen CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 3 years |
Baylor UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
Nova Southeastern UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 4 years |
South CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
Tufts UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Hybrid | 2 years |
| Hybrid | 4 years |
On Campus DPT Programs in New York
From New York City to Potsdam to Albany to Buffalo, New York state is littered with DPT programs:
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
Clarkson UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Potsdam, NY | 2.5+ years |
College of Staten Island CUNYDoctor of Physical Therapy | Staten Island, NY | 3 years |
Columbia UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | New York, NY | 2.5 years |
Daemen UniversityDoctor of Physical Therapy | Amherst, NY | 3 years |
Dominican College of BlauveltDoctor of Physical Therapy | Orangeburg, NY | 3 years |
D’Youville CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | Buffalo, NY | 3 years |
CUNY Hunter CollegeDoctor of Physical Therapy | New York, NY | 3 years |
Tips on how to become a physical therapist in New York
To become a physical therapist in New York, you should consider these steps:
- Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree – Look for Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapy programs, as New York requires graduates of New York State-registered or CAPTE-accredited programs to hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy to be licensed (New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, verified Sept. 29, 2026).
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – New York requires the NPTE, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), or an examination the state determines to be comparable in content. You must file a licensure application and fee with the state, and your education must be approved before you are eligible to take the exam as a New York candidate. The state encourages applicants to apply for the exam online through FSBPT (NYSED, verified Sept. 29, 2026).
- Get licensed – You must be at least 21 years old and of good moral character. The fee for licensure as a physical therapist, which includes first registration, is $294 (NYSED, verified Sept. 29, 2026).
Licensed in another state?
Practicing physical therapy in New York requires a New York license. Physical therapists licensed elsewhere who do not meet current New York education requirements may apply by endorsement, which requires at least three years of practice acceptable to the State Board for Physical Therapy in the seven years before applying and an education acceptable to the state, among other documentation (NYSED, verified Sept. 29, 2026). New York is not among the member states of the Physical Therapy Compact (updated Aug. 11, 2026), and Senate Bill S3598, which would enact it, was still in committee as of Sept. 29, 2026.
Information last updated: September 2026