New Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Launching Spring 2018

Scheduled to launch in January of 2018, a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program in the Baylor Graduate School aims to provide an innovative, career-focused education to develop skilled, empathetic care providers in a profession in which doctorate programs are struggling to keep pace with demand.

“In addition to our long-standing and highly ranked program with the U.S. Army, Baylor will now offer a civilian DPT program that is open to all applicants around the country,” said Dr. Larry Lyon, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School.

The Department of Labor projects job growth for the physical therapy profession at 40 percent over the next 10 years. In current DPT programs, more than 425 qualified applicants vie for every 40 slots, and an additional 73,500 therapists will be needed by 2022.

Baylor’s new program will use blended learning strategies to maximize educational efficiencies, reduce the overall program duration to two calendar years and ultimately decrease the cost of DPT education for students. The curriculum blends faculty-directed online and onsite learning activities and nationwide clinical education settings to deliver a unique and challenging educational experience. Laboratory immersion sessions will be held in Dallas, while orientation, student events and graduation will be held on Baylor’s Waco campus.

The curriculum will consist of 66 weeks of didactic education and 31 weeks of clinical education, with a six-month terminal clinical experience that prepares graduates for entry-level practice and serves as a foundation for post-professional residency opportunities in several specialties within physical therapy practice.