The doctorate degrees in Physical Therapy that are available online include the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and the Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). Both of these degrees provide students with the highest degree in the field of Physical Therapy. The only difference between them is that the Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy is designed for those who have a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy while students with any sort of Bachelor’s degree can enter Direct Entry Doctorate in Physical Therapy programs. The DPT degrees provide students with an honorable credential that can be used to promote their careers, knowledge, and expertise.
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Originally, only a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy (BAPT) was needed in order to practice Physical Therapy. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that masters and doctorates in Physical Therapy slowly began to replace the bachelor’s degree. Since then a few combinations of these graduate and postgraduate degrees have been developed including the Direct Entry Master’s in Physical Therapy Degree, the Transitional Master’s in Physical Therapy Degree, the Direct Entry Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and the Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy Degree.
In order to practice Physical Therapy legally, one only needs a BA in Physical Therapy. However, the more advanced degrees in the field are highly recommended in order to further one’s career as well as to contribute to the growing field of Physical Therapy. Created by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is intended to serve as a prestigious credential for a Physical Therapist. The degree signifies that the advanced studies in the field of Physical Therapy have been completed. Online Physical Therapy Doctorates provide students with opportunity to earn these highly respected degrees without having to give up on their jobs or their family lives. Most of the requirements for these programs can be completed online. Each school varies in terms of on-campus requirements.
