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, synchronous sessions, and hands-on clinical skills labs, which allows us to teach content in a very 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. Synchronous sessions bring live interactions with instructors and classmates for deeper understanding and skill development. In-person clinical skills labs, held at program locations, provide hands-on practice guided by expert faculty. 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 eight of the 12 prerequisite courses completed. However, all 12 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 10 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 current Covid-19 pandemic, my university has 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.