Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T) program provides the required educational preparation for a professional career as a physical therapist. Program graduates are knowledgeable, self-assured, adaptable, reflective, and service-oriented practitioners who by virtue of critical thinking and ethical values render informed and independent judgments concerning patient/client needs, promote the health and quality of life of the client, and enhance the professional foundations for practice.
These practitioners contribute to society and the profession through practice, teaching, administration, and the discovery and application of new knowledge about physical therapy. The educational philosophy of the program is to maximally challenge each student and facilitate his or her development of skills for life-long learning, professional development, and leadership.
In 1998, the University of Southern California awarded the DPT degree to graduates of the program in physical therapy. USC has been a leader in the transition to doctoral level education in physical therapy. The need for a primary care practitioner who can diagnose and treat the causes of movement dysfunction and the increased scientific and evidence base for physical therapy are forces for the dramatic shift to a doctoral degree as the primary preparation for a professional degree in physical therapy.
Why to choose doctor of Physical Therapy Program