Pitt Logo
School of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences

Physical Therapy and Bioengineering (DPT/PhD)

Format(s)
On-campus
Degree Type
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering
Duration

Minimum of 6 years
(19 terms minimum, including some summer terms)

Request Info
Format(s)
On-campus
Degree Type
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering
Duration

Minimum of 6 years
(19 terms minimum, including some summer terms)

Request Info

Have Questions?

Contact this program's enrollment specialist(s):

Delaney Hawk
Delaney Hawk
d.hawk@pitt.edu
Shannon Suchta
Shannon Suchta
shannon.suchta@pitt.edu

At a Glance

Imagine the possibilities of this highly competitive dual-degree program. You will be engaged in the didactic coursework and clinical experiences of Pitt’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and qualified to take the DPT licensing exams. In addition, you will follow a plan of study in a specific area of bioengineering and delve into extensive research that will lead to a PhD.

This dual-degree program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or an engineering-related discipline, with a strong interest in making a difference in the fields of physical therapy and bioengineering.

Application

Start Term

Fall term (August)
Starting with curriculum of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program

Application Opens

June 15, 2024

Application Closes

November 1, 2024

Commitment
and Credits

Duration

Minimum of 6 years
(19 terms minimum, including some summer terms)

Commitment

Full-time

Credits

106 for DPT
72 for PhD

Degree

Type of Degree

Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering

This program is co-directed from leadership in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Swanson School of Engineering.

Format(s)

On-campus

Applied Skills

The DPT portion of the degree will require the student to participate in four (4) clinical education placements. Students also participate in two (2) research lab rotations.

PhD students are required to complete two teaching practicums before presenting their PhD proposal (comprehensive ex­amination). No more than one practicum can be undertaken in a term. There is no course registration for this educational experience, and fulfillment is monitored by the department.

Students are required to write and orally defend a dissertation to complete their PhD degree.

Estimated
Program Costs

Program Outcomes

The program combines the entry-level DPT leading to licensure as a physical therapist, with a PhD in Bioengineering that will prepare the student to become an independent researcher.

Average Class Size

3

Certification
and Licensure

Graduates will have their DPT degree and will be eligible to sit for the national examination for physical therapists administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

After successful completion of this exam, and meeting varying state-by-state requirements, the graduate can become licensed. Learn more about the SHRS programs that meet State Licensure Requirements.

Accreditation

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The DPT portion of this program at the University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Department Chair James Irrgang at 412-383-9865 or Program Director David Wert at 412-383-5397 or email ptinfo@shrs.pitt.edu.

Student
Handbooks

No handbooks found for this department.

Learn more about the Department of Physical Therapy

Related Programs:

Student with ponytail assessing another student by placing their hands on their head.

Physical Therapy, Post-Professional (MS)

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Have Questions?

Contact this program's enrollment specialist(s):

Delaney Hawk
Delaney Hawk
d.hawk@pitt.edu
Shannon Suchta
Shannon Suchta
shannon.suchta@pitt.edu
Learn more about the Department of Physical Therapy

Related Programs:

Student with ponytail assessing another student by placing their hands on their head.

Physical Therapy, Post-Professional (MS)

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Get More Information

Get More Information









































































Field Descriptions
Field of Study (Intended Major)

  1. Certificate
  2. Certificate - Hybrid/Online

Concentration
  1. Doctorate - Rehabilitation Science
  2. Doctorate - Physical Therapy - Entry-level DPT
  3. Master's Degree - Physical Therapy - Post-professional Master of Science
  4. Master's Degree - Health Informatics
  5. Master - Hybrid/Online - Health Informatics - Online
  6. Master's Degree - Dietitian Nutritionist Program
Term
  1. Fall - Spring - Summer
  2. Fall - Spring
  3. Fall
  4. Spring
  5. Summer
Hidden Info