Overview

Building on the foundation of a master's degree in physical therapy, UNC-Chapel Hill's Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program will give you the clinical competence to identify and develop new clinical services and to practice autonomously as a primary clinical care practitioner. The curriculum is built around three interactive core components: a clinical foundation core, a clinical practice core, and a specialty practice core. 

The DPT program enrolls graduates of BS/MPT programs and experienced physical therapy clinicians seeking advanced clinical knowledge and skills. Graduates are expected to return to clinical practice and to serve in policy-making and leadership positions in their communities. Graduates with significant clinical experience may also seek board certification as clinical specialists and/or positions as clinical faculty in physical therapy education programs. All of the transitional DPT curriculum is offered through web-based instructional technologies that allow you to begin or continue in practice while you pursue your degree, but not all of your work is online. 

Program Objectives

Based upon our program mission and philosophy, the program objectives reflect the outcomes we expect from our students at the completion of the program. With satisfactory mastery of the program objectives, students are well prepared for licensure and clinical practice in a variety of clinical settings.