DPT Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be an accelerated program? 

Tufts DPT still provides a full DPT education (nothing is excluded—the timeline is just condensed). DPT programs generally described as accelerated are completed in seven semesters or less—as opposed to the traditional nine semesters. Tufts DPT programs are accelerated, which means you will graduate earlier than other students who attend traditional, nonaccelerated programs. Tufts DPT’s mission is to produce excellent physical therapists. Part of this is that you will not miss important information to graduate sooner, and you’ll gain a world-class education, as you would expect from a university like Tufts. The hybrid format includes asynchronous content (available on demand), live synchronous sessions (scheduled at various times Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm, based on your program’s time zone), and onsite hands-on clinical skills labs (see academic calendars for each location for dates). This format allows us to teach content in an efficient and effective manner.

What does hybrid mean for Tufts? 

The Tufts hybrid DPT programs offer a diverse curriculum delivery. Throughout the week, you'll access content through asynchronous videos, allowing flexibility to study at your own pace prior to the live synchronous sessions. 

Synchronous sessions bring live interactions with instructors and classmates for deeper understanding and skill development. Attendance is mandatory for live synchronous sessions that are held at various times between 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday, based on your program’s time zone. These sessions are not recorded. At times, lectures may be scheduled outside of these hours to accommodate guest lecturers and clinical experiences. In-person clinical skills labs, held at program locations, provide hands-on practice guided by expert faculty. Attendance at in-person clinical skills labs is mandatory and may include weekends and holidays. Check your program’s academic calendar for specific dates. 

Clinical education experiences offer diverse placements, though travel may be required. Please plan for potential relocation during these rotations.

How are the programs different?

The DPT programs are consistently structured in all locations, provide a similar experience to students, and deliver the same promised excellence, however, they are separately accredited programs.

Does the DPT programs have any informational sessions?

The Tufts DPT Directors of Admissions host online informational webinars monthly during the admissions cycle for applicants to get to know more about our programs and faculty at the respective programs. Visit our DPT Admissions Events page to register for an upcoming informational webinar.

Do you accept transfer credits from other DPT programs?

The Tufts DPT programs do not accept credits transferred from other DPT programs. All DPT students are required to complete the entire physical therapy curriculum.

Do you offer financial aid? Would I qualify?

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Please visit the School of Medicine’s Financial Aid website for further information.

How are the courses set up? What is the typical student schedule? 

Your specific weekly schedule will vary by the semester and may be slightly different between each program location. However, in a normal week, you can expect to have a combination of asynchronous content and synchronous sessions. Each class will generally have one synchronous session per week and are most commonly scheduled on Monday-Wednesday with Thursday and Fridays frequently reserved for assessments and completing asynchronous content. Please note that onsite clinical skills labs—when students are expected to visit campus—may occur over the weekend.

What is the asynchronous coursework like and what are the expectations?

Asynchronous coursework in the Tufts DPT programs offers flexible, self-paced learning through pre-recorded lectures, videos, scholarly readings, and podcasts via the Canvas platform. This format allows students to engage with the material at their own convenience, making it easier to balance with other responsibilities.

Expectations for asynchronous coursework include regular completion of assigned materials, active engagement with online content, and timely submission of assignments. Students should be prepared to integrate this knowledge into live synchronous sessions and practical applications, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the material. Staying on schedule with the coursework is crucial for keeping up with the program and fully benefiting from the learning experience.

What is the synchronous coursework like and what are the expectations?

Synchronous coursework in the Tufts DPT program involves live online classes where students interact in real-time with instructors and peers, and attendance is mandatory. Each class typically includes one synchronous session per week. These sessions include discussions, team-based learning, small group activities, and case-based applications, designed to deepen understanding and enhance collaborative skills.

Expectations for synchronous coursework include mandatory attendance at all live sessions, active participation in discussions and group work, and timely engagement with any assigned tasks or projects. Since these sessions are not recorded, it is essential to attend and contribute fully to benefit from the interactive learning experience. Regular participation ensures that you can integrate the knowledge gained from these sessions with your asynchronous studies and practical applications.

What are the on-onsite skills labs like and what are the expectations?

Students enrolled in our programs must attend eight on-site clinical skills labs which take place at their program's campus location and may include weekends and holidays. Check your program’s academic calendar for specific dates. Many students find these labs to be their favorite part of the program, as they look forward to being on-campus, seeing their peers and faculty, and strengthening the close-knit relationships they've developed.

These labs are also a critical component of learning, providing hands-on practice to develop and refine psychomotor skills with guidance from world-class faculty and clinicians. Attendance is mandatory, and active engagement is expected. This means participating physically, socially, and intellectually to maximize the benefits of the in-person learning experience.

Am I able to attend either city’s onsite clinical skills labs?

No. Once enrolled in a specific program, you must attend the onsite clinical skills labs in that program’s dedicated city (i.e., Boston, Phoenix, or Seattle).

Where will I stay when I come onsite for the clinical skills lab sessions?

Student accommodations during onsite lab activities are the responsibility of the student. There are some opportunities for students to share housing to decrease the cost for each student. Students are very resourceful, and Boston/Medford, Phoenix, and Seattle and their surrounding areas have a variety of hotels and house rentals available for students traveling for these labs.

Am I expected to attend every on-site clinical lab?

Yes, and lack of attendance may result in delay in your graduation or removal from the program.

Will I need to relocate during the clinical education rotations?

Yes, during the clinical education rotations, students may need to relocate or travel to different locations based on site availability, which differs year-to-year. The clinical education phase involves 31 weeks of hands-on experience in diverse settings nationwide, providing exposure to various patient populations and healthcare environments. View more information for students on our clinical education component.

How do I apply? 

Students interested in applying must do so through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). There are no supplemental applications. Final applications and required materials should be submitted through PTCAS. Review our How to Apply page for more information.

Does my bachelor’s degree have to be in any specific concentration?

No, your bachelor’s degree can be in any major, as we desire a diverse cohort of training and educational experiences for our students. However, all applicants are required to complete all 12 prerequisite courses, prior to matriculating into the Tufts DPT. Common majors among DPT applicants include Biology, Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine, Psychology, Neuroscience, and more.

Can I apply if I still need to complete a prerequisite course?

Yes, you can still apply to the DPT programs as long as you have seven of the 10 prerequisite courses completed. However, all 10 prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculating into the program and you must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA and prerequisite GPA requirements of 3.0 or greater.

Do I need to have my bachelor’s degree completed prior to starting at Tufts DPT?

Yes, it is required that your bachelor’s degree is completed, and you have final official transcripts submitted prior to matriculating into a DPT program. However, you can apply to the DPT programs while you are completing your bachelor’s degree.

I’m an international student, can I apply? 

International applicants are those who are citizens of any foreign country (including Canada) who do not hold a U.S. permanent resident visa (green card). Applicants who do not hold a U.S. permanent resident visa (Green card) are not eligible to apply. Permanent resident visa status is equivalent to U.S. citizenship for the purposes of our admission process and U.S. federal student loan programs. International applicants who have been granted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy are eligible to apply to the Tufts University School of Medicine DPT programs.

How are each application requirement weighted when looking at applications? 

We are committed to a holistic application review process which ensures that no singular aspect of an application overshadows the overall story of a student’s academic and personal journey. We take into account all application materials including academic factors, volunteer and work history, essay writing and content, letters of recommendation, and custom PTCAS and Tufts DPT questions. If offered an interview, recorded interviews are another opportunity for our admissions committees to get to know applicants beyond their written application and hear why they have chosen an accelerated, hybrid model at Tufts DPT. 

I see that you list official GRE test scores as optional. If I don’t submit my scores will that count against me? 

No! The choice to submit GRE scores is entirely at the discretion of each applicant. An applicant may choose to submit their GRE scores if the applicant feels their scores may help demonstrate academic ability. Please note that lack of scores will not hurt applicants’ chances of admission. And as explained previously, our application review process does not automatically eliminate students based on one singular component. If you had a lower performing semester in college, we strongly encourage you to still apply. In doing so, ensure that the remainder of your application speaks to your passion for becoming a physical therapist and why you be successful in Tufts hybrid and accelerated DPT programs.

Can I take courses from anywhere to meet the requirements?

Courses and undergraduate degrees must come from institutions accredited by agencies that are recognized by the U.S Department of Education.

Does Tufts DPT accept prerequisite courses that are completed online?

Yes, online courses are accepted as long as the course meets all other requirements, including credit hours, course content, and lab requirements.

Does Tufts DPT accept experiential learning portfolios in place of prerequisite courses?

No, in order to prepare students best for success in PT school, it is important for applicants to have completed all prerequisite courses through an accredited university.

I completed some of my prerequisite courses many years ago. Will Tufts DPT still accept them to fulfill the prerequisite courses?

Courses used to fulfill the Anatomy & Physiology I and II prerequisites, including both lecture and lab components, must be completed within 10 years of the admissions cycle. Courses used to fulfill the remaining 7 prerequisite courses do not have a specific expiration date and can be older than 10 years.

Can AP courses and college credit taken in high school fulfill prerequisites?

Yes, AP courses can be used to fulfill prerequisite courses if they were accepted from your undergraduate university towards your degree requirements. (e.g., Chemistry 1, Biology 1, etc.). Similarly, college courses taken in high school can be used as prerequisite courses as long as your undergraduate university accepted these credits.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, my university  changed to (or has the option of) courses graded as pass/fail. Will you accept these courses as prerequisites?

Yes, we will accept courses that are graded as pass/fail for only the spring and summer 2020 semesters that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if you have taken pass/fail courses during previous semesters not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, these will not be accepted as prerequisite courses.

Can I work while I am a student in my program?

Most traditional length programs discourage their students from working throughout the duration of PT school. Working during this accelerated program would be even more challenging. We strongly recommend that students do not work while they are students in Tufts School of Medicine accelerated DPT programs regardless of which program to which they apply.

Our DPT programs are full-time commitments. If you must work, please be aware that you will need to attend all required components, including:

• Orientation: Complete participation is mandatory.
• Synchronous Sessions: These live sessions are not recorded and attendance is required.
• On-site Clinical Skills Labs: Attendance is mandatory, and these labs may occur on weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Class Functions: All scheduled activities and functions are required.

Failure to attend any of these components, even partially, could lead to delays in graduation or removal from the program.

What student support is available to students?

Tufts DPT programs offer comprehensive support to to meet individual needs and promote a successful learning experience.

• Examination Prep and Tutoring: Students have access to one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, learning specialists, and other resources as needed to help with coursework and exam preparation.
• Academic Coaching and Learning Communities: Boston and Seattle programs feature academic coaching with faculty mentors, while Phoenix offers intimate learning communities led by faculty for personalized support.
• Accessibility Services: We provide accommodations and support for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to educational opportunities.
• Comprehensive Support Services: The Office of Graduate Student Services and Talk One2One counseling services offer academic advising, mental health support, and more to help students navigate their educational journey.