Doctor of Physical Therapy

Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy at a world-class school of medicine.

Tufts School of Medicine is nationally—and internationally—renowned for excellence in medicine, population health education, and advanced research. Our rigorous online coursework is coupled with eight in-person clinical sessions in Boston, Phoenix, or Seattle, and students graduate in just seven semesters.

Applications for Summer or Fall 2024 are now being accepted.

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Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy at a world-class school of medicine.

Tufts School of Medicine is nationally—and internationally—renowned for excellence in medicine, population health education, and advanced research. Our rigorous online coursework is coupled with eight in-person clinical sessions in Boston, Phoenix, or Seattle, and students graduate in just seven semesters.

Applications for Summer or Fall 2024 are now being accepted.

Request Information

Tufts DPT graduates are market-ready physical therapists ready to serve society as human movement specialists. Tufts University offers our hybrid DPT programs in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle.

The Tufts Difference

The Tufts DPT programs offer an accelerated, hybrid education model. Our programs train high-performing healthcare professionals to meet team-oriented healthcare demands in the 21st century and to serve the health and well-being of diverse populations. Tufts DPT programs are offered in Boston, Massachusetts, Phoenix, Arizona, and Seattle, Washington. Students who apply for and enroll in a specific DPT program, will be required to attend the clinical skills labs that take place in that program’s city.

Aerial shot of Boston

DPT-Boston

Offered in Boston, MA, and the program starts in the summer.

Aerial shot of Downtown Phoenix

DPT-Phoenix

Offered in Phoenix, AZ, and the program starts in the summer.

Aerial shot of Downtown Seattle

DPT-Seattle

Offered in Seattle, WA, and the program starts in the fall.

Two DPT students practice exercise techniques during lab

Embark on a Fulfilling Journey—Become a Physical Therapist

Discover the profound impact of physical therapy—a profession dedicated to restoring movement, providing holistic care, and creating healthier communities. As a physical therapist, you’ll be at the forefront of improving lives, promoting well-being, and contributing to the overall health of communities. Choose a fulfilling journey with Tufts and experience a profession that goes beyond healing bodies—it enriches lives.

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Discover Excellence with Tufts DPT

Tufts University, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is renowned for fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. In our DPT programs, our faculty—who are not just educators but advocates and researchers—bring unparalleled expertise. With advanced training in online teaching, our faculty ensures a dynamic learning experience. They also actively contribute to shaping the profession by being engaged in professional service, including roles within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

View Faculty News & Research
DPT faculty member lectures during lab

Students during a clinical skills lab in Phoenix, AZ.

Enjoy a Transformative Physical Therapy Education

Experience an innovative approach to physical therapy education at Tufts. Our accelerated, hybrid model jumpstarts your professional journey with an evidence-based curriculum in an online virtual classroom that is complemented by eight on-site clinical skills labs to reinforce decision-making and hands-on skills. In the last three semesters, students apply their knowledge in diverse clinical education experiences. Please note that during this period, students should anticipate travel or relocation based on site availability.

Check Out Our Programs’ Curricula

Experience Optimized Support at Tufts DPT

Tufts DPT embraces a holistic approach, prioritizing student support beyond the classroom. To help students navigate the rigorous academic journey, Tufts DPT offers a blend of academic coaching, learning communities, and counseling services to address individual needs. Moreover, our dedicated faculty stands as your unwavering support, readily available to guide you through coursework and career planning and committed to nurturing your growth and success.

Learn More About Our Student-Centered Approach
Two DPT students speak with their faculty mentor.

DPT students practice clinical skills lab and faculty member supervises

Join an Accessible Community of Learning

With programs strategically located in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle and a hybrid curriculum, our innovative approach allows students and faculty nationwide to join us, fostering flexibility, diversity, and excellence. The combination of online and in-person clinical skills labs fosters diverse networking opportunities. Students can interact with peers, faculty, and industry professionals both virtually and face-to-face, creating a broader professional network that can benefit their future careers.

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Headshot image of Marannie

As someone who works well under pressure, and who appreciates organization and values time, consolidating a program into a little over two years instead of three, with high-level faculty, classmates who are really focused, has been awesome for me to just get in, get the work done, and absorb as much material as I can. It's the best decision I've made yet.

Marannie Rawls-Philippe, DPT25

Mission & Core Values

Our programs prepare future professional physical therapists to positively impact societal health and improve the human experience through our commitment to excellence, inclusion, discovery, and meaningful service. All our DPT programs value academic, personal, and moral growth within a safe, challenging, and responsive community. In alignment with the Tufts University School of Medicine, our core values guide the program's quality, student experience, and program mission. These values include a commitment to excellence, humanism, social responsibility, and professionalism.

Accreditation Status

DPT Program in Boston, MA

Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Boston, MA, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 617-636-4075 or email dpt.program@tufts.edu.

Any member of the Tufts University community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint without fear of retaliation. Anonymous complaints may be made by reporting online at Anonymous Reporting.

DPT Program in Phoenix, AZ

View DPT-Phoenix's Accreditation Timeline

Effective May 10, 2022, Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Phoenix, AZ, has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 617-636-3880 or email eric.hegedus@tufts.edu.  

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation. 

All credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program. 

Any member of the Tufts University community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint without fear of retaliation. Anonymous complaints may be made by reporting online at Anonymous Reporting

DPT Program in Seattle, WA

View DPT-Seattle's Accreditation Timeline

Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Seattle, WA, is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. On December 1, 2023 the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Any member of the Tufts University community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint without fear of retaliation. Anonymous complaints may be made by reporting online at Anonymous Reporting

Preparation for Professional Licensure

All Tufts Doctor of Physical Therapy programs meet the educational requirements for professional licensure as a Physical Therapist in all 50 states.

Connect With Us

Follow us on social media @TuftsDPT!

Attend Our Virtual Open Houses

Attend one of our upcoming virtual events to meet faculty and students and get to know our programs.

Visit our Admissions Events page.