Is one a better option- DPT school in USA, or MPT school in Europe, then tDPT in USA?

[MaybeDPT]

Because I realize I don't want a crushing amount of debt on my shoulders, and because I honestly want to travel as much as I can before and while I work, I've been looking into programs in Northern Europe. From what I've gathered, it is a hell of a lot cheaper to go to school in say Scotland, looking at 10,000 USD or less if I can get it waived, even with higher cost of living it will put me far less behind than if I attend a US program. DPT isn't offered in Europe, just MPT (I think, is that the same as Masters of Science in Physiotherapy?)

Say one day I want to work for an American Company as a traveling physical therapist, or I'm ready to put roots down somewhere and work in the US, does that mean I have to go through a tDPT program- and at that point, is it worth it? Those can take between one and three years- but if it was a one year program, would that give me a Doctorate and still allow me to be debt (or almost-debt) free?

So which option would out me in a better position- getting my DPT here in the US with one of the less expensive schools and paying off my debt while I'm a traveling physical therapist (since housing is usually covered by the company and I won't have to worry about paying for that), or to get an MPT overseas and stick it out through a tDPT program when and if I want to come back to the states?

Has anyone done either of these / anything similar, what are your experiences?

Does anyone have a MPT and is it difficult to find work in the US?

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[DesertPT]

tDPT is a non-accredited post-professional program offered to already licensed US PTs who want to up their credentials so they can teach at a PT school, etc. It does not increase your ability to practice in the US.

You would need to find out what the licensure requirements are for foreign educated PTs in the state where you wanted to one day practice. It is going to vary state by state.

All in all it sounds like you need to research more about how all of these things work.

 

[Watson27]

Here is some info from the APTA about licensure for foreign-educated PTs. http://www.apta.org/Licensure/ForeignEducated/

Basically, if you are foreign-educated, you have to have your credentials reviewed by your state board. They may recognize your credentials, or they may require you to take the NPTE in order to practice.

 

[imallama]

In California, almost all (if not all) programs have transitioned to a DPT level program due to a requirement stating that all practicing PT's (at least in CA) must have their doctorate. So if you're based in CA, probably a better idea to look at a CSU or UC DPT program.

Also something to consider, according to the FSBPT website, first time NPTE (the boards) takers have different pass rates with domestic vs. internationally trained students. About 90% of first time NPTE takers pass for domestically trained PT's, however only 30% of foreign trained PT's pass when they take it.

In my program, I had a few professors who were trained internationally, one in India and another in Australia. Both had to take the NPTE when they moved here and tried to find work as a PT. They also had to complete a transitional DPT program.

 

[DesertPT]

In California, almost all (if not all) programs have transitioned to a DPT level program due to a requirement stating that all practicing PT's (at least in CA) must have their doctorate. So if you're based in CA, probably a better idea to look at a CSU or UC DPT program.

All programs in the country have transitioned to DPT programs (save maybe 1 or 2 oddballs which may still be in the process). But I don't know if I believe what you're saying for CA...are you saying all the thousands of PTs in CA who went to school before the DPT existed had to go back to school to earn a DPT? That wouldn't even be possible for most without a recent bachelor's degree and pre-reqs, and the tDPT is not a CAPTE accredited program. Can you provide some sources for this law? I've tried to Google it and am not finding anything.

Your professors probably did a tDPT so they could work in academia, as academia almost always requires a doctorate.

 

[MaybeDPT]

Thanks so much for your replies guys, there's a lot to look at. I have heard that the programs over seas aren't always up to par with accredited programs in the US.

Has anyone had experience working overseas with their doctorate from the US?

 

[imallama]

All programs in the country have transitioned to DPT programs (save maybe 1 or 2 oddballs which may still be in the process). But I don't know if I believe what you're saying for CA...are you saying all the thousands of PTs in CA who went to school before the DPT existed had to go back to school to earn a DPT? That wouldn't even be possible for most without a recent bachelor's degree and pre-reqs, and the tDPT is not a CAPTE accredited program. Can you provide some sources for this law? I've tried to Google it and am not finding anything.

Your professors probably did a tDPT so they could work in academia, as academia almost always requires a doctorate.

Well, last time I head about this was when I got into PT school 2 years ago. It seems that it is no longer an APTA document or whatever. But here: http://www.apta.org/Vision2020/

When I heard the teachers talk about it at my program, I assumed that this was what they meant (regarding getting the DPT's) but never bothered to clarify - what you are stating seems correct about the tDPT.

But yeah, my bad.

 

[DesertPT]

Well, last time I head about this was when I got into PT school 2 years ago. It seems that it is no longer an APTA document or whatever. But here: http://www.apta.org/Vision2020/

When I heard the teachers talk about it at my program, I assumed that this was what they meant (regarding getting the DPT's) but never bothered to clarify - what you are stating seems correct about the tDPT.

But yeah, my bad.

Ya, Vision2020 was never meant to imply that PTs who didn't hold a DPT couldn't practice anymore...and now Vision2020 has been replaced with the current APTA vision statement anyway.