For Texans looking to earn a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) in state, there is no lack of options. The state is dotted with campuses, and there are a variety of hybrid/online programs that students can attend as well. Here are the options for earning a DPT in Texas, as well as some information on things to look out for as you are selecting a program
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Should I Choose an On Campus or Online Doctor of Physical Therapy Program?
When looking at DPT programs, make sure to start thinking about whether you want to attend an online or on campus program before you start shopping around. Both options are good ones, but your choice will affect which schools you should look at.
Physical therapy is a discipline that requires a certain degree of hands-on learning to master. Because of this, online doctor of physical therapy offerings are all in a hybrid format, where courses are taken online but lab work and hands on learning are completed on campus. While some hands-on components (clinical experiences) can be completed near a student’s home, there are some program requirements that need to be completed on the university campus. This allows students to reap the benefits on an on campus program (networking, hands-on learning, etc.) while being able to complete a lot of the requirements in a convenient online format.
While a fair amount of current online programs are alike in having on campus requirements, these programs vary significantly in other ways. Some will offer coursework that is completed on one’s own time (asynchronous), while some will be more interactive, requiring students to tune into a virtual classroom to learn in real time. There are benefits to both of these options – synchronous learning can be more engaging and facilitate more discussion, while asynchronous learning allows students the flexibility to learn on their own time.
If you are looking for an on campus experience, there are several options for that in Texas as well.
How Long do DPT Programs in Texas Take?
Oftentimes, these programs take two and a half to three years to complete, though some programs will take longer and some will take less. For hybrid programs, most options are in the three to four year range. Your course load will often be predetermined as many of these programs function in a cohort format.
You can see the specific program lengths for all Texas on campus and online DPT programs in the tables below.
Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Students in Florida
The following hybrid doctor of physical therapy programs are available to students in Texas.
| School Name | Type | Live Classes | On-Campus Requirements | Time to Complete |
| Arcadia University (Sponsored) | Hybrid | Yes | Unspecified | 2 years |
| Baylor University | Hybrid | Some | Twice per semester | 2 years |
| Nova Southeastern University | Hybrid | Some | Every 4th week | 4 years |
| South College | Hybrid | No | Quarterly | 2 years |
| Tufts University | Hybrid | Yes | Ten visits | 2 years |
| University of Southern California (Sponsored) | Hybrid | Yes | Up to twice per semester | 3 years |
| University of St. Augustine | Hybrid | Some | Twice per month | 4 years |
On Campus DPT Programs in Texas
The following DPT programs have on campus programs in Texas. There are campuses all over the state – from Texas State in San Marcos to Texas Tech in Lubbock.
| Program | City | Time to Complete | GPA Requirement |
| Angelo State University | San Angelo | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Army-Baylor University | Waco | 2.5 years | Unknown |
| Baylor University | Waco | 2 years | 3.0 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene | 2.5 years | Unknown |
| Texas State University | San Marcos | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock | 3 years | 3.0 |
| Texas Woman’s University | Denton | 3 years | 3.0 |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio | 3 years | 3.2 |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | 2.5 years | 3.0 |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth | Fort Worth | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | 3 years | 3.0 |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas | Dallas | 2.5 years | 3.5 |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | 3 years | Unknown |
Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Texas
To become a physical therapist in Texas, here are some common steps:
- Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree – This will typically take you about 3-4 years, if not doing a 3 and 3 bachelors/DPT program. Loop for Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapy programs to ensure you meet certification requirements in the future.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – To do this, you will need to get approval from both the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and the state of Texas.
- Get Licensed – Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Texas 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.
Last Updated July 2020