Bryan Currie, DPT22
The Tuft University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs can provide you with flexibility you need. Hear from current student in the Boston program, Bryan Currie, DPT22, about his experience.
Why did you choose to pursue this degree?
"Exercise, health and wellness have always been of interest to me. Being able to combine those while directly improving patients' quality of life drove me towards the medical field and eventually to physical therapy."
Why did you choose Tufts?
"The biggest factors for me were the length of the program and the flexibility of online coursework and not having to relocate during the didactic portion. I unexpectedly had the choice between five different PT schools before choosing Tufts. Tufts called me first. No other school called. The atmosphere and attitude of faculty during the virtual open house and following acceptance solidified my decision. This is a student-centered program, and that expectation was set from the start."
What has your experience it the DPT-Boston program been like so far?
"I started the program with a spouse and an 18-month-old at home. Our second child was born during semester four. That process was brutal, but I couldn't have done that in a traditional program. The hybrid program allowed me to stay at home with my daughter during class while my wife worked. Not having to commute to class every day allowed me to be immediately present for my family even one minute before or after class. Balancing life and school can be tough. This is true of any graduate program, though, and Tufts' hybrid structure has allowed me to maximize the amount of time I spend with my family despite being a full time student."
What is your favorite aspect about the program?
"The hybrid format, as I noted above. You would think that online classes would put a barrier between you and your peers. That has not been the case at all. Academic groups of 4-5 students each semester rotate, giving us opportunities to work together closely at a distance and the intimately during lab immersions. Lab are a BLAST. So much information is packed into several days and learning everything firsthand from phenomenal faculty is a joy. The social aspect is like nothing else. We spend so much time apart that when we are physically together, it makes for some truly special moments."
What is your proudest personal accomplishment while at Tufts?
"Along with a couple of my peers and the support of the DEAR (Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism) Council, we were able to organize an online training on ableism in healthcare with local disability rights leaders from the group EPIC. It ended up being tied into our curriculum and a mandatory part of one of our courses while also being open to the entirety of Tufts Public Health & Professional Degrees."
What do you wish to accomplish upon graduation?
"My ultimate goal is to open a pro-bono clinic to provide free treatment to people in my community who are otherwise unable to pursue physical therapy. In addition to patient care, the clinic would perform community outreach projects including screenings and educational opportunities."