Tufts University School of Medicine Expands Doctor of Physical Therapy Program to Atlanta, Georgia

Tufts University School of Medicine is continuing the national expansion of its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs with the launch of a new location in Atlanta, Georgia—marking the school’s fourth program nationwide.

The Tufts DPT-Atlanta program will follow the school’s distinctive hybrid, accelerated curriculum model. Students complete a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online coursework while participating in immersive, in-person clinical skills labs. Applications will open through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) in June 2026, with the inaugural cohort enrolling in Fall 2027.

“We admit a truly unique student who is attracted to quality, flexibility, and stellar faculty and experiences,” said Department Chair Eric J Hegedus PT, DPT, PhD, MHSc. “We are fortunate, with the addition of Atlanta, to be able to offer such a transformative experience to students nationwide.”

Originally launched in Boston, Massachusetts in 2021, Tufts DPT has since expanded to Phoenix, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. The addition of Atlanta strengthens Tufts’ presence in the Southeast and reflects growing demand for highly trained physical therapists across diverse healthcare settings.

The expansion aligns with strong national employment projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for physical therapists, a field expected to grow faster than average due to an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic conditions, and expanded access to rehabilitative care. 

“We are thrilled to expand Tufts’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program to Atlanta, and this decision reflects our commitment to regionalization and to increasing access to exceptional physical therapy education where demand is strongest,” said Program Director Alexis A. Wright PT, DPT, PhD. “The Southeast is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, with more people relocating here than any other part of the country, and we are proud to bring Tufts’ renowned DPT curriculum closer to students and communities across this dynamic region. By establishing a presence in Atlanta, we can better support aspiring clinicians in the Southeast, strengthen partnerships with local healthcare providers, and help address the critical need for highly skilled physical therapists where they are needed most.”

Students in the Tufts DPT program complete 127 semester credit hours over seven consecutive semesters—an accelerated timeline compared to traditional nine-semester programs—with online coursework that offers flexibility to accommodate different lifestyles.

The curriculum emphasizes integrated learning across clinical tracks, helping students develop a deep understanding of human movement systems through repetition, scaffolding, and progressive complexity. Coursework is intentionally designed to connect foundational science, clinical reasoning, and hands-on practice.

In addition, the program incorporates social determinants of health throughout the curriculum, preparing graduates to understand how social, economic, community, educational, and accessibility factors influence patient outcomes and quality of life.

Tufts DPT is grounded in core values of authenticity, integrity, belonging, and growth. Students are supported within a learning environment that prioritizes professional excellence alongside personal development and community engagement.

Applications to Tufts DPT programs based in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle are currently open. The Atlanta program will begin accepting applications through PTCAS in June 2026.

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