Tufts University School of Medicine is launching an accelerated hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program, reportedly the first program of its kind offered by a Massachusetts medical school.
The blended learning model allows for virtual and face-to-face instruction, hands-on skill training, and clinical education. The school plans to enroll its first class of 100 students in January 2021. The deadline to apply for this class is October 23, 2020, according to a media release from Tufts University.
“Tufts University School of Medicine is known for our commitment to excellence and advancing medical knowledge in a dynamic and collaborative environment,” Peter W. Bates, dean ad interim of the School of Medicine, says in the release.
“A rigorous, accelerated hybrid DPT program supports students from across the country who want to improve the quality of life for their patients by restoring physical function. This new program is a natural progression to expand our offerings in the continuum of care and meet the pressing needs of the healthcare workforce,” he adds.
The DPT curriculum will combine online learning, hands-on skill training, and integrated clinical experiences. On-campus sessions will occur on the Tufts Health Sciences Campus in Boston 10 times over 2 years for immersive hands-on learning to develop critical patient management skills.
It will consist of 127 total semester credit hours delivered in six consecutive semesters over 24 months, and will comprise 67 weeks of didactic education and 31 weeks of clinical education consisting of three experiences ranging from 8 to 15 weeks in a variety of physical therapy settings across the country.
The curriculum plan and 2-year model is in collaboration with Evidence In Motion (EIM), a provider of post-professional educational training programs in physical therapy, which is providing resources to support the program’s innovative hybrid DPT curriculum.
“The 2-year model allows graduates to enter the workforce sooner, whereas the hybrid aspect allows location convenience and flexibility. Our program provides innovative learning experiences preparing students as career-focused, inquisitive, and evidence-influenced clinicians who improve the human experience and quality of life,” says Megan Donaldson, director of the School of Medicine’s DPT program, the release continues.
For more information and to apply for the DPT program, visit Tufts University.
Effective May 12, 2020, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Tufts University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, per the release.
[Source: Tufts University]
