Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarning a DPTWhat They DoWhere They WorkWhat to ExpectPT vs. DPT
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Earning a DPT
What They Do
Where They Work
What to Expect
PT vs. DPT
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) helps people improve their mobility and physical functioning, manage pain, and prevent disability. Someone earns a DPT degree after completing the necessary training and passing a state licensure exam.
If you’re injured or ill and are having trouble moving normally, or if pain limits your ability to complete everyday tasks, you may benefit from working with a DPT. Physical therapists with a DPT are considered clinical doctors who can assess your condition and offer treatments that can help you quickly and safely recover.
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Training and Salary
After earning an undergraduate degree, a person can enroll in a DPT program, which is typically three years. The curriculum includes courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (movement), neurology,cardiopulmonary(heart and lung) rehabilitation, behavioral sciences, and pharmacology.
Clinical rotations are a major component of DPT education. Students spend time working closely with licensed therapists to gain experience. They may perform clinical rotations in various settings including a PT clinic, hospital, nursing care facility, rehabilitation clinic, and school.
At the end of their coursework and clinical rotation, a student earns a DPT degree but still must pass a state licensure exam to practice as a physical therapist.
On average, a DPT in the U.S. makes $99,710 per year, according to 2023 statistics.
Is a DPT the Same as an MD and PhD?While a DPT may use the title “Dr,” they are different from an MD (medical doctor). A Doctor of Physical Therapy is a clinical doctorate that denotes a person who has gone through post-graduate and clinical training. Unlike an M.D., a DPT cannot write prescriptions. A DPT is also different from a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). DPT is treatment-focused, whereas the PhD is research-focused.
Is a DPT the Same as an MD and PhD?
While a DPT may use the title “Dr,” they are different from an MD (medical doctor). A Doctor of Physical Therapy is a clinical doctorate that denotes a person who has gone through post-graduate and clinical training. Unlike an M.D., a DPT cannot write prescriptions. A DPT is also different from a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). DPT is treatment-focused, whereas the PhD is research-focused.
A doctor of physical therapy is a movement expert who helps peopleimprove their mobilityand manage their pain after an injury or illness.DPTs use a variety oftechniques and treatments, including:
DPTs also use their expertise to help prevent disability or movement problems. So, if you have any problems with mobility, working with a DPT may be helpful.
Physical therapists work with people of all ages, from birth through the later adult years. A DPT may work in a variety of settings, such as:
During yourfirst visit, your physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and goals. They’ll ask you questions about your previous level of function and how your condition is affecting your life and take measurements of the impairments that may be causing your problem.
A DPT will use the information they gather in your initial evaluation to set up an individual treatment plan. For example, if you’ve had a heart attack orcardiac surgery, a DPT will prescribe the right amount ofaerobic exerciseto improve your cardiac and respiratory function. You will receive a prescribed number of weekly physical therapy sessions, and in some cases, home treatments may be recommended as well.
What if My PT Doesn’t Have a DPT?
A DPT has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a PT (physical therapist) has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy. Both DPTs and PTs are qualified to examine and treat movement difficulties.
Summary
DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy. It involves three years of schooling after a bachelor’s degree, as well as clinical work and passing a licensing exam.
DPTs work in a variety of medical settings as well as in schools and with sports teams. They’re movement specialists and can help people recover from injuries and manage mobility-limiting conditions.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.Physical Therapists.The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.DPT/PhD Dual Degree.Rodeghero J, Wang YC, Flynn T, Cleland JA, Wainner RS, Whitman JM.The impact of physical therapy residency or fellowship education on clinical outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(2):86-96. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5255
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.Physical Therapists.The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.DPT/PhD Dual Degree.Rodeghero J, Wang YC, Flynn T, Cleland JA, Wainner RS, Whitman JM.The impact of physical therapy residency or fellowship education on clinical outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(2):86-96. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5255
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.Physical Therapists.The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.DPT/PhD Dual Degree.Rodeghero J, Wang YC, Flynn T, Cleland JA, Wainner RS, Whitman JM.The impact of physical therapy residency or fellowship education on clinical outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(2):86-96. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5255
American Physical Therapy Association.Becoming a Physical Therapist.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.Physical Therapists.
The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.DPT/PhD Dual Degree.
Rodeghero J, Wang YC, Flynn T, Cleland JA, Wainner RS, Whitman JM.The impact of physical therapy residency or fellowship education on clinical outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(2):86-96. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5255
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