Tufts DPT Programs Expand Student Debt‑Relief Opportunities Through Innovative Employer Partnership

How can a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program make high quality education more accessible while meaningfully reducing student financial burden? Tufts University School of Medicine’s DPT programs are addressing this challenge through a hybrid, accelerated model and, more recently, through employer partnerships that generate an estimated $2.5 million in financial relief opportunities for Tufts DPT students.

A Mission Driven Approach to Physical Therapy Education

Tufts DPT is committed to training high-performing healthcare professionals who can meet the team-oriented demands of 21st-century healthcare. The program emphasizes academic excellence, clinical collaboration, and whole-person care, preparing graduates to serve the health and well-being of diverse populations with a holistic, compassionate approach.

Central to this mission is a commitment to access. Tufts DPT is designed to support students for whom traditional nine-semester, fully in-person programs may not be feasible due to personal obligations, family responsibilities, or geographic location. The Tufts model prioritizes flexibility without compromising academic rigor or clinical training.

A Hybrid, Accelerated Model That Reduces Time and Cost

To meet these needs, Tufts offers a hybrid, accelerated, seven-semester DPT program model designed to help students complete their degrees more efficiently. By blending online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, students can enter the workforce sooner, reducing overall educational costs and helping them minimize student debt.

Expanding Affordability Through Employer Partnerships

Building on its hybrid, accelerated model, Tufts DPT has expanded its affordability strategy through mission aligned employer partnerships that strengthen the physical therapy workforce while reducing student financial burden. These collaborations have led to employer sponsored scholarship matching and post-graduation debt relief incentives.

Employer-Sponsored Scholarship Matching

Employees of participating partner organizations may receive scholarships directly from their employer upon enrolling in a Tufts DPT program. Tufts then matches this funding, creating a powerful, collaborative model that significantly lowers student tuition and supports workforce development.

Post-Graduation Debt-Relief Incentives

All Tufts DPT students can explore loan-repayment and debt-relief programs offered by clinical partners. These incentives vary by employer, but many provide repayment support for graduates who commit to working within partner networks or in high-need care settings.

“Through these innovative programs, we are thrilled to be able to help our clinical partners with their physical therapist shortage and even more excited that our clinical partners are generously paying it forward to reduce student debt,” said Eric J. Hegedus, PT, DPT, PhD, MHSc, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. “It’s rewarding to be part of a program where everyone wins.”

These initiatives complement existing Tufts merit- and need-based scholarships, which cover up to 25% of tuition, and reinforce the program’s commitment to making a Doctor of Physical Therapy education more affordable, accessible, and sustainable for students nationwide.

Learn more about the Tufts DPT programs and explore each program’s admissions process by using the linked program locations. Tufts DPT programs are offered in Atlanta, Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle, serving students and employer partners across the United States.

Related links:

DPT Overview
Admissions Information