Tufts Doctor of Physical Therapy program to be offered in Phoenix, AZ

Tufts University School of Medicine will launch a new hybrid, accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program in Phoenix, AZ enrolling an inaugural class in Summer 2022. The School of Medicine initially launched Tufts DPT in May 2020 with its first program, based in Boston, MA.

Tufts DPT combines virtual face-to-face classes, onsite hands-on skills labs, and patient-focused clinical education experiences to build innovative and rigorous DPT programs in a world-class medical school. Students complete the programs from anywhere in the country and attend eight immersive onsite skills labs critical to developing patient management skills.

“Tufts DPT hybrid accelerated model makes the wave of the future a reality in the present,” said Director of Curriculum and Assessment Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PhD. “It exemplifies cutting-edge excellence and a student-first approach. We are committed to maximizing student welfare by providing flexibility, leveraging technology to provide geographical convenience, and allowing students to get into the workforce sooner—without sacrificing the quality of the experience.”

The curriculum comprises 108 weeks of education including 31 weeks of clinical education consisting of three unique experiences.

The School of Medicine’s decision to introduce a new location for Tufts DPT comes as the physical therapist job market sees significant continued growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2020 to 2030.”

“The projected employment need for physical therapists in Arizona is over 40%, and so, we are committed to addressing this need by developing the highest quality professionals under the Tufts banner,” said Program Director Eric Hegedus, PT, DPT, PhD, MHSc. “We are also excited to be a dynamic partner with professionals in the Valley of the Sun.”

Tufts DPT is committed to developing doctors of physical therapy who are dedicated to excellence, life-long learning, critical inquiry, and meaningful service to positively impact the human experience and societal health.

The DPT-Phoenix program consists of 127 total semester credit hours delivered in seven consecutive semesters over just two years. The application opens October 1, 2021. Instructions for prospective applicants are available on the DPT program website.

The program in Phoenix is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Read more here.