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Doctor of Physical Therapy
Credits Required
107
PROGRAM COST
$93,255.85
DELIVERY
Hybrid
START TERM
Summer
The University of Utah DPT, Designed for Flexibility
A University of Utah education, with the flexibility to learn from wherever you call home.
For more than 55 years, the University of Utah's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has prepared students to become skilled, compassionate physical therapists. Our hybrid pathway builds on that tradition of excellence, combining the flexibility of online learning with hands-on, in-person training and clinical experiences.
Through a combination of online coursework, interactive learning, on-campus immersions, and clinical education, students gain the knowledge, practical skills, and professional connections needed to prepare for a career in physical therapy.
One program. Three pathways.
The University of Utah offers three pathways to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree:
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Salt Lake City: Traditional, in-person learning at the University of Utah's main campus.
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St. George: In-person learning in southern Utah.
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Hybrid: A combination of online coursework, on-campus immersions, and in-person clinical experiences.
All three pathways follow the same admissions, prerequisite, and application requirements and lead to the same University of Utah DPT degree.
The University of Utah DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Learn more about our mission and values.
This is a full-time program. We do not recommend that students hold other employment during their studies.
The hybrid online/on-campus DPT option gives students from across the nation the opportunity to earn their DPT from a top-ranked school of physical therapy, without having to relocate. This program combines engaging online learning with in-person immersion experiences at the University of Utah and clinical experiences near students’ communities, which enables students to learn in an intimate and innovative atmosphere while staying close to home.
The curriculum utilizes an innovative layered approach to active student learning. The program includes the following online, live, and in-person elements:
- Asynchronous Lessons: Didactic content and lab skills are introduced through recorded lessons that students complete online.
- Live Sessions: Each class holds weekly synchronous online meetings between students and faculty.
- Immersions: On-campus experiences consisting of physical learning and assessment. Immersions
are roughly 6-7 days in length and occur at the following times:
- During orientation at the beginning of the program (3-days)
- Twice during each fall and spring semester, with one toward the middle and one at the end of the semester. Summer semesters include one immersion only.
- Clinical Education: Students complete 15 weeks (45 hours) of part-time clinical education in the spring semester of the first year and 42 weeks of full-time clinical education, including three back-to-back placements in the final year. Students may also complete optional part-time clinical education during didactic semesters in the second and third year of the program.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Applicants must complete all prerequisite requirements to be admitted. This information is subject to change without notice. Prerequisite requirements are identical for all pathways (residential and hybrid). Go to the DPT prerequisites page to find out more.
$871.55/credit*. Total program tuition at current rates: $93,255.85* ($871.55 per credit x 107 credits).
*Subject to change without notice.
See information on scholarship opportunities.
This program qualifies for the U of U employee reduced tuition benefit.
Current salary information can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook. Physical Therapy has been named as one of the nation's 150 best recession-proof jobs. Physical Therapist ranks in CNN Money's 2013 Top 100 Jobs in America, and PT is included in their 10 Booming Jobs, with the growth over the next 10 years at 30%. The Department of Workforce Services of Utah gives Physical Therapy a 5 Star Rating.
DPT Hybrid Pathway with UOnline: A Conversation with DPT Professor and Director of the Hybrid Pathway, Dr. Jennifer Hale
What should students expect in the hybrid Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Utah? We spoke with Jennifer Hale, PT, DPT, PhD, the Director and Associate Professor with the U, to learn more about the program and get the answers to potential students’ commonly asked questions.
Hybrid Pathway FAQ
- Does the tuition differ based on my Utah residency status? No, we are pleased to offer the same flat rate tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students.
- Are lab immersion costs included in my tuition? While the costs for the required lab immersion classwork in Salt Lake City is included in your tuition, students are responsible for the costs associated with travel to and lodging during immersions. We will often provide lunch during lab immersions, but other meals will also be a cost you should plan for. Often students group together to make lodging more affordable. We will provide you with a list of dates for immersions so you can book airfare as early as possible.
- Can I keep my job and complete the hybrid pathway? While the hybrid pathway offers you the flexibility to live in your community and not have to relocate to Salt Lake City, we highly recommend that you do not work during this DPT program. Your schedule will be full of commitments, including live class sessions, office hours, guest lectures, and homework assignments. The DPT program is a rigorous full-time educational experience that requires approximately 40-60 hours/week.
- What are Live Sessions? These are weekly synchronous online learning experiences in groups of no larger than 15 students led by faculty. Each class has weekly live sessions and student attendance is required, as is their presence on camera. In addition to live sessions, faculty hold weekly online office hours.
- Do I have to move or relocate for my clinical experiences? We will make every effort to identify and secure clinical experiences near your community. That said, clinical site selection and placement is dependent on location availability and almost all of our students in every pathway will need to relocate temporarily for a portion of their clinical experiences.
- What happens if I move during the program? No problem! We simply ask that you notify our clinical education team as early as possible, as it could impact their ability to find a clinical education experience in your community
- How do I practice lab skills and techniques? Upon admission, we will recommend a list of equipment for you to purchase to help you be successful. This will include a physical therapy plinth. Your classes with lab techniques will have innovative ways to help you learn and refine your hands-on skills culminating in lab immersions. We encourage you to begin identifying a set of community partners (friends, family) who can be available for you to practice with. Some assignments, for example, might have you demonstrate a technique on your clinical partner and then submit a video of your demonstration for feedback.
- Are there technology requirements I need to plan for? We require students in the hybrid pathway to have a laptop with a forward-facing camera and a tablet. Stable, high-speed internet appropriate to stream Zoom web meetings is also required. Since you will be on camera often (required during live sessions) and submitting recordings of techniques, investing in some inexpensive lighting for web-meetings is also highly recommended. Additional information can be found on the University of Utah New Student Guide to Digital Resources page. Finally, we utilize Examplify from ExamSoft/TurnItIn, and your technology must meet their minimum system requirements.
- Can I change the pathway that I’m in during the DPT program? No, we do not permit students to change pathways, so you must complete the DPT degree in the pathway to which you were admitted.
- I'm an international student. Am I eligible for the hybrid program? No, international students aren't eligible to be in the hybrid program.
If you still have questions about the DPT program, visit our General FAQ page.