All the local schools so far from what I have researched only have full time schedules. So how do people who work and have to live on their own go through the program? I will be about 30 by the time I can I apply to the DPT program and really need to live on my own. How is this possible? Any advice?
Is it possible to do the DPT program part time?
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What area do you live in? I have heard of only one university that will have a part-time DPT program, and it is the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, FL. Their campus in San Diego will also have this part-time program. It is called the "flex" program, and it is part-time and has online courses, too. So if you go to any of these campuses, it will be possible to work, live on your own and go to school to become a DPT. Hope this helps.
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Besides the 4 yr FLEX programs in St. Augustine and San Diego (online/weekend labs, tests), there are two more options I am aware of. Nova Southeastern just started a "Hybrid" 4yr program in Tampa, FL that is part time with weekend labs also. In addition, Neumann University in PA has a 3 yr weekend program too. You can work during the week and get your DPT on the weekends!
Damn.. Don't live anywhere near there (MA). So I guess I need a plan to somehow do the DPT full time once I'm ready. I am going to get my associates to become a PTA soon and I heard they have pretty flexible part time work if needed. I could work full time for a year or more to save up money. Then, I guess I could work part time and just take out tons of loans once into the DPT program??? Or how else do people get through the program? I don't feel like I can live off mostly loans for 3 years can I? My parents thankfully helped me pay for my bachelors degree, however my gpa is too average to apply for the DPT right away. Plus I want to work as a PTA first so I can actually afford to move out of my house, while gaining experience and be a better candidate to get into grad school.
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If you're getting the PTA anyway, don't do a regular/3-year DPT...a few schools (I believe there are 5 of them...I know of one in California and one in Ohio) have a program for practicing PTAs to get a DPT, as long as they have their Bachelor's degree. I know someone who was planning on doing the PTA-DPT program in Ohio, and it's a weekend program that lasts a year or two. Look into those...that way you can work full-time as a PTA, and then do the program on the side. Plus, it's probably cheaper and more relevant if you're already a PTA.
Good to know.. That would probably be worth moving for if I can work ft as a PTA and get the DPT done faster. Luckily it is easy to relocate as a PTA, at least right now.
But if I want to stay in MA and work part time as a PTA and live independently would that be possible too?
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Most people in the program do not live in Findlay, a few live in Ohio, and a bunch live out of state. One student I know flies in every two weeks from Texas. Many are commuting from 5-6 hours away. We are currently trying to move a little closer so that I only will have a 4-5 hour drive on the class weekends.
So, it is definitely both usual and possible to work as a PTA out of state while attending Findlay's bridge program. There were only 2 bridge programs, but I believe they discontinued Loma Linda's and now there is only the University of Findlay which does the PTA to DPT.
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Findlay's bridge program is 2 years and 9 months, including clinicals. I think when it used to be MPT, it was only about 2 years long, but they lengthened it when they changed to DPT.
Cool. I am just worried about getting into Findlay and I would also have to move since I'm in Massachusetts.. How many people do they let in a year? If I have a 3.0 undergrad and am aiming for close to a 4.0 in PTA school, do you think I would get in right away? How is the cost compared to regular DPT?
Since there is only one bridge program in the country I figure it must be hard to get in or take a while.
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Not necessarily...a lot of PTAs (most that I've worked with) do not have a Bachelor degree, which is a requirement for the DPT...I know of one who went to take all the prereqs for the DPT as well as got a BA in a random program so that she could meet the requirements for Findlay, but I don't know many who would go to all that trouble. Of course if you already have a BA or BS, and then got the PTA later, then you'd meet that requirement.
Of course, I don't know what the demand is for the PTA-DPT transitional programs, but I don't know that it would be any more competitive than a regular DPT program. Regardless, it's still in your best interest to do as well as you can to boost your GPA and make yourself competitive.
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I didn't delete anything....and I don't see a post that got deleted (it would show up as "post deleted")...maybe it never went through?
Hello,
I just received my acceptance letter a few days ago from The University of Findlay's PTA to DPT program, and am curious to hear opinions of the program from individuals who are going through the program or have who have completed the program.
*How are/were your experiences with the program?
*How are the exams, labs, and homework assigned/performed? i.e. on-site at the university, online at home, or mixture of both?
*Where do people that commute from far distances usually stay when in Findlay for classes?
*Do most of the students work Full-time or Part-time throughout the program?
*Is there any advice you would give to someone going into the program that would help them be successful in completing the PTA to DPT program?
Thank you for your time, and all the best wishes to you in your future endeavors!
Hey, you're the first person I've came upon who got accepted as well I received my letter last week and I figured maybe we can connect and help each other out with this transition.
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I will be applying there in a year. Can you guys share your GPA and other relevant stats? How is the program going?
