Anyone have any opinions on the DPT programs that are only 2.5 years long?

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I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about programs being 2.5 years in length rather than 3? Are sacrifices made somewhere for the shorter programs? Is it not really preferable to attend a 2.5 year program over a 3 year one? Just wondering if there would be any differences in learning outcomes with a shorter program.
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Was literally just talking about this with a friend of mine (who is a current PT). His program was 2 years and a quarter, and he basically said they just didn't have any breaks. This may not seem like a big deal, but after not even a full quarter of PT school, I'll say that no breaks would turn my brain into mush. It's hard to anticipate the pace of the program unless you're in it though, so get in contact with current students and alumni that don't have a stake in your decision. In terms of learning outcome, I'd guess that comparing NPTE first-time pass rates is the closest objective measure that you can get.
 
I agree! Seems like having no break would make you go bonkers! I guess I just really was curious if you're sacrificing more learning experiences for a shorter program...If attending a shorter program is potentially seen as a "negative" thing...
 
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USA is a shorter program, probably the shortest one out there (7 trimesters). Delaware is a 2.5-year program as well. I haven't started yet, but it does concern me. However, are you going to have summer vacations when you're a professional? Unless you're working for the school system, no. This is life afterall. Frankly, I'm ready to feel like I'm working full time. I'd rather get in and get out, and not spend the summer paying rent so I can take six credits. I prefer maximum efficiency.

Kevin
 
member0000 said:
I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about programs being 2.5 years in length rather than 3? Are sacrifices made somewhere for the shorter programs? Is it not really preferable to attend a 2.5 year program over a 3 year one? Just wondering if there would be any differences in learning outcomes with a shorter program.
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I lean more towards the shorter programs. If the program is accredited you're getting the same information, and especially if their first time pass rate is above 90% the students are understanding the material/doing well.
Why spend more money on tuition, rent, living expenses, etc via loans when you can get in, get out, and start making money?
 
I just got my schedule for my PT prgm and we end our fall semester on Dec. 11th, I believe, and dont come back until after new years. so you do get some breaks, its all up to the faculty and prgm director. and our prgm is only 2.5 yrs
 
*bump*
just thought I'd see if there's any new insight into this question a couple years down the road.
What's the downside of a 2.5-year program, besides fewer and shorter breaks?
 
I believe the University of the Pacific is the shortest at 25 months. I have mixed feelings about that. Especially the fact that it plays out to be 60k a year. I don't know how that could even be justified.
 
For profit schools that cost a ton usually.
 
I'm in a 2.5 year program right now (Drexel) and I really don't see many negatives, other than the fact that we go year round. This doesn't bother me though, because really what would I do for an entire summer if I had it off? haha.
We still gets breaks in between each quarter (3 weeks for winter, 1 or 2 for all other breaks) and Drexel does a great job of alternating didactic coursework with clinicals, so in your last 1.5 years it alternates every other quarter, giving you decent breaks from too much schoolwork. I don't see any negatives, really. In fact, I see it as a plus because we graduate sooner and thus can take the NPTE sooner and get jobs sooner. :banana:
 
Drexel is what I'm thinking about. I see "2.5 years" and all I think is 6 months less of paying rent and 6 months more of making money, making the program effectively tens and tens of thousands of dollars cheaper ...
 
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Even programs that are 3 years long (9 semesters) go all year round. They give the usual breaks as well, the breaks might just be longer. Having a longer break is not that big of a deal for me, coming from a school with short breaks. I'm deciding between a 7 semester and 9 semester program, and am leaning towards the 7 semester program.
Get in and get out seems like the better deal, but a lot of other factors are also going into my decision process though

From the advice I've gotten, I say don't be too worried about how short it is, as long as the graduation and NPTE pass rates are excellent. As another poster said, programs decide what they feel a student should know in order to be successful, and that determines the length they believe is satisfactory.
 
Every school that is CAPTE accredited has to have the same cornerstones of education and spend certain amount of times on separate subjects and hands on practice. The difference comes with length of breaks, number of clinicals, and length of clinicals. One benefit is finishing half a year ahead of the other programs and entering the job market 6 months prior. You can even sign up for the boards before you graduate if you have finished all class work. Some kids in my class took the boards during our last affil.
 
also, USA has that flex program that is 12 trimesters but class every other weekend. yes it's longer but it gives you ample opportunity to work and to pay off those loans already. make 15-20k a year for instance and you theoretically would have already covered most of tuition. it's really whatever you feel is best for you
 
Carson Ranger said:
what is an example of a for-profit PT program?
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There currently are none. But we better all start praying when they start to open up and PT goes the way of law and pharmacy...

I imagine that poster intended to refer to the many private not-for-profit schools that charge exorbitant rates for PT programs. Just because an organization is a not-for-profit doesn't mean they can't generate surplus revenues and make a ton of money. It's a common misconception.
 
And as for the original topic, doesn't it seem like going to school for 25 months and then saying you have a doctorate is a bit ridiculous? Obviously the same amount of content should theoretically be covered regardless of program length, but it still seems kinda bogus to call it a doctoral program when it is shorter than many master's programs out there.
 
knj27 said:
And as for the original topic, doesn't it seem like going to school for 25 months and then saying you have a doctorate is a bit ridiculous? Obviously the same amount of content should theoretically be covered regardless of program length, but it still seems kinda bogus to call it a doctoral program when it is shorter than many master's programs out there.
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I say that's a question for the powers that be, who decided to move the program from a masters degree to doctoral. A 7 semester program is only 6 months shorter than a 9 semester. So if that's the logic, then all doctoral pt programs should be called out. 3 years is also not that long for a doctoral program either
 
Speaking of short programs, I noticed that South College (formerly Knoxville Business College!) in TN was denied candidate for accreditation recently. Their curriculum plan is only 2 years long, entirely online, and completely created by Evidence In Motion... I'd say that's about as close to "for-profit" as you can get. Thankfully, CAPTE has some standards.

My problem with a lot of these "accelerated" programs is the fact that they are actually more expensive than a standard 3 year program. So you'll have an extra six months of income... but you'll be paying an additional $20-60k? No thanks.
 
CH2014 said:
I say that's a question for the powers that be, who decided to move the program from a masters degree to doctoral. A 7 semester program is only 6 months shorter than a 9 semester. So if that's the logic, then all doctoral pt programs should be called out. 3 years is also not that long for a doctoral program either
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Probably true. A program should probably be in session for a total of 36 months to truly call it a doctorate (aka 4 school years if you have summer breaks), at least by traditional standards. A lot of PT programs get close to that, but a lot don't. Very few meet or exceed that number. But I guess the definition of a doctorate degree has evolved over time within the various healthcare professions.
 
Watson27 said:
Speaking of short programs, I noticed that South College (formerly Knoxville Business College!) in TN was denied candidate for accreditation recently. Their curriculum plan is only 2 years long, entirely online, and completely created by Evidence In Motion... I'd say that's about as close to "for-profit" as you can get. Thankfully, CAPTE has some standards.
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:barf:

Lets hope we are all stably practicing before PT totally goes the way of pharmacy and law school...
 
Watson27 said:
Speaking of short programs, I noticed that South College (formerly Knoxville Business College!) in TN was denied candidate for accreditation recently. Their curriculum plan is only 2 years long, entirely online, and completely created by Evidence In Motion... I'd say that's about as close to "for-profit" as you can get. Thankfully, CAPTE has some standards.

My problem with a lot of these "accelerated" programs is the fact that they are actually more expensive than a standard 3 year program. So you'll have an extra six months of income... but you'll be paying an additional $20-60k? No thanks.
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Also consider that you may be saving in living expenses as well (assuming you aren't living at home but on loans). I was accepted to a 2.5 year program (initially way more expensive) but they offered me a scholarship which made it almost equal in tuition to a 3 year program that I was accepted to. So I'll be saving more when living expenses are taken into account.

If a scholarship is not offered, would the extra six months of pay and less of living expenses be equal or close to the amount of extra tuition you will pay? I think that's the question someone faced with such a choice should consider when estimating overall cost. This is of course if cost is your deciding factor
 
CH2014 said:
Also consider that you may be saving in living expenses as well (assuming you aren't living at home but on loans). I was accepted to a 2.5 year program (initially way more expensive) but they offered me a scholarship which made it almost equal in tuition to a 3 year program that I was accepted to. So I'll be saving more when living expenses are taken into account.

If a scholarship is not offered, would the extra six months of pay and less of living expenses be equal or close to the amount of extra tuition you will pay? I think that's the question someone faced with such a choice should consider when estimating overall cost. This is of course if cost is your deciding factor
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Unless you cease to exist for six months, you will still have costs associated with being alive... 😉 You'll just be using earned money to cover these costs instead of loans.

But I understand what you're saying. I was accepted to Delaware (a 2.5 yr program), and chose not to attend. If I had been offered one of their "high" academic scholarships, the price would have been comparable to the other schools I applied to. If this had been the case, would I have cared that I was paying the same amount for "less" schooling? No. My point is just that many of these shorter programs tout the affordability when the base price does not reflect the shorter length.

Overall, if you can handle the "accelerated" nature of a shorter program, there are only benefits to graduating 6 months early.
 
Watson27 said:
Unless you cease to exist for six months, you will still have costs associated with being alive... 😉 You'll just be using earned money to cover these costs instead of loans.

But I understand what you're saying. I was accepted to Delaware (a 2.5 yr program), and chose not to attend. If I had been offered one of their "high" academic scholarships, the price would have been comparable to the other schools I applied to. If this had been the case, would I have cared that I was paying the same amount for "less" schooling? No. My point is just that many of these shorter programs tout the affordability when the base price does not reflect the shorter length.

Overall, if you can handle the "accelerated" nature of a shorter program, there are only benefits to graduating 6 months early.
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Ok, definitely understand where you're coming from now... there's a catch to everything I guess
 
Do these programs that are <30 months really cover the same amount of material as the programs that are 36+ months...seems kind of hard to believe...
 
Just a random bit of info. I heard recently: I went to an interview at St. Augustine in December and something that I was kind of told was that the APTA (or whoever determines this; I don't remember haha) is considering requiring another clinical period. This would apply to every school and could potentially increase the length of numerous programs (I would assume mostly the shorter ones). As far as I know if you are already in school when this occurs, it won't affect you. But it could affect anyone entering programs after the change is made, if it happens.
 
knj27 said:
Do these programs that are <30 months really cover the same amount of material as the programs that are 36+ months...seems kind of hard to believe...
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From other comments it seems they're just accelerated (I assume things are a little more crammed, could be wrong), with shorter/less breaks. But If they're CAPTE accreditated with >90% pass rate, then they are taught the same basic info needed to do the job. Has anyone also ever thought that maybe the 3 year programs are just too long, with some fluff added in?
 
kle0008 said:
Just a random bit of info. I heard recently: I went to an interview at St. Augustine in December and something that I was kind of told was that the APTA (or whoever determines this; I don't remember haha) is considering requiring another clinical period. This would apply to every school and could potentially increase the length of numerous programs (I would assume mostly the shorter ones). As far as I know if you are already in school when this occurs, it won't affect you. But it could affect anyone entering programs after the change is made, if it happens.
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Most programs I have seen have about 30-36 weeks of clinicals, whether it is 7, 8 or 9 semesters long. The difference seems to be in classroom time. So if that were to happen, I think all programs would be affected
 
USA or the University of St. Augustine isn't tied to a research hospital, which is one reason the program isn't that long. Some programs require a research project, others don't. The way I see it, as long as your program prepares you to be a well-rounded professional in the field and of course pass the boards, the length of the program is irrelevant. Every school is different. If you want to attend a "shorter" program, attend one. If you want to attend a "longer" program, do that. Do what's best for you, just make sure the school YOU attend meets YOUR financial or schooling requirements.
 
DesertPT said:
There currently are none. But we better all start praying when they start to open up and PT goes the way of law and pharmacy...

I imagine that poster intended to refer to the many private not-for-profit schools that charge exorbitant rates for PT programs. Just because an organization is a not-for-profit doesn't mean they can't generate surplus revenues and make a ton of money. It's a common misconception.
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University Of St. Augustine is a for profit school (they are owned by Laureate Education, Inc).

They are also one of the largest PT programs in the U.S. We an avg 450 PT graduates a year spread over 3 soon to be 4 physical therapy campus.

So you should be familiar with us, because we are probably going to be your colleagues.

Tuition is 100k with 7 trimesters. with 3, 8 week clinicals.
 
NAU is attempting to transition from 3 years to 2.5 years by cutting out summer breaks. (Though it sounds like summer was a light class load versus a complete break.)
 
flyingsquirrel said:
University Of St. Augustine is a for profit school (they are owned by Laureate Education, Inc).

They are also one of the largest PT programs in the U.S. We an avg 450 PT graduates a year spread over 3 soon to be 4 physical therapy campus.

So you should be familiar with us, because we are probably going to be your colleagues.

Tuition is 100k with 7 trimesters. with 3, 8 week clinicals.
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.......what are you thoughts on the new expansion? It is right in the market area for UM and FIU grads.....That area is going to be flooded I would think.


tweaze said:
NAU is attempting to transition from 3 years to 2.5 years by cutting out summer breaks. (Though it sounds like summer was a light class load versus a complete break.)
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Interesting. Do you think they are trying to help their students by having less debt?
 
flyingsquirrel said:
University Of St. Augustine is a for profit school (they are owned by Laureate Education, Inc).

They are also one of the largest PT programs in the U.S. We an avg 450 PT graduates a year spread over 3 soon to be 4 physical therapy campus.

So you should be familiar with us, because we are probably going to be your colleagues.

Tuition is 100k with 7 trimesters. with 3, 8 week clinicals.
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Wow, only 24 weeks of clinicals? Geez, my program has 40.
 
DesertPT said:
Wow, only 24 weeks of clinicals? Geez, my program has 40.
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Yes, I'm assuming your school does 4 clinicals, with 10 weeks each?

USA technically has an optional 4th clinical but that takes the place of our 7th trimester instead. Which is mostly electives and seminars. Even then that totals up to 32 weeks at the most.
 
flyingsquirrel said:
University Of St. Augustine is a for profit school (they are owned by Laureate Education, Inc).

They are also one of the largest PT programs in the U.S. We an avg 450 PT graduates a year spread over 3 soon to be 4 physical therapy campus.

So you should be familiar with us, because we are probably going to be your colleagues.

Tuition is 100k with 7 trimesters. with 3, 8 week clinicals.
Click to expand...

Rocky Mountain U. in Utah is for-profit as well. USA seems to be doing well so I wouldn't be surprised to see more for-profit schools in the not too distant future.
 
engmedpt said:
Interesting. Do you think they are trying to help their students by having less debt?
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I don't know yet that it's going to save money (except in the sense that we can take the boards sooner and start working sooner, which is awesome). I'll have a better idea once I find out how much summer tuition is going to cost for a heavier class load. They didn't disclose their ultimate motivation, but I'm sure the end goal involves moving more students in and out of the program more quickly and resulting in more income for the university.
 
tweaze said:
I don't know yet that it's going to save money (except in the sense that we can take the boards sooner and start working sooner, which is awesome). I'll have a better idea once I find out how much summer tuition is going to cost for a heavier class load. They didn't disclose their ultimate motivation, but I'm sure the end goal involves moving more students in and out of the program more quickly and resulting in more income for the university.
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Great.....
 
scrawnyguy said:
Rocky Mountain U. in Utah is for-profit as well. USA seems to be doing well so I wouldn't be surprised to see more for-profit schools in the not too distant future.
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So like....is there a good reason that CAPTE has accredited 224 programs that have such big disparities in length rather than homogenized time lengths and in tune curriculum?



......all I hear from people going to shorter programs is "I get out and get a job faster!"

It makes me wonder how accrediting agencies even view simple economics, public perception as program disparities become revealed, and lowered entrance standards.

I understand getting in is difficult, but when a new program pops up and says "Hey! We start this June! Apply right now!" .........lets not kid ourselves, they will be receiving applicants who couldn't get in during normal cycle. Does that mean people getting in will be bad? Absolutely not. Does it mean its more likely that applicants who will be subpar will get in since the school is trying to fill seats? Yes.

Not too sure how info. like that will help when law makers get wind of it and are currently adding in and changing laws for PT.
 
Last edited:
member0000 said:
I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about programs being 2.5 years in length rather than 3? Are sacrifices made somewhere for the shorter programs? Is it not really preferable to attend a 2.5 year program over a 3 year one? Just wondering if there would be any differences in learning outcomes with a shorter program.
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I am in a 2.5 year program with trimesters and it is pretty tiring to be honest. We have 13 week semesters with 2 week breaks between. I don't know how other programs are, but our hours this year have been 25,23,20 or something along those lines. The semesters with clinical rotations are 7 week semesters with a 6 week clinical. No summer break outside the 2 week buffers and we pretty much do this straight through until graduation. I am currently about to finish my 3rd semester and I am pretty exhausted. So yeah, it is pretty tough. The pace is faster.

Enough whining. What is good about it? Finishing 1/2 year is nice because you have a 1/2 year jump on the majority of other recent PT grads. If you want, you can also take a break after graduation, and look for work (probably still earlier than most other students from other programs). If you do hypothetically find a job 1/2 year earlier, that means you are making 1/2 year more money too. Some things to think about.
 
sunnyskies26 said:
I'm in a 2.5 year program right now (Drexel) and I really don't see many negatives, other than the fact that we go year round. This doesn't bother me though, because really what would I do for an entire summer if I had it off? haha.
We still gets breaks in between each quarter (3 weeks for winter, 1 or 2 for all other breaks) and Drexel does a great job of alternating didactic coursework with clinicals, so in your last 1.5 years it alternates every other quarter, giving you decent breaks from too much schoolwork. I don't see any negatives, really. In fact, I see it as a plus because we graduate sooner and thus can take the NPTE sooner and get jobs sooner. :banana:
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How much is tuition per year?
 
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