Tied for second in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, is widely recognized as an institution with a highly rated medical school and reputation in the sciences. The physical therapy program at Washington University is an extension of the medical school. Students at Washington can pursue a number of different degree options en route to a career in physical therapy. The first option is the traditional doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT), which has become the standard degree for physical therapists. Students can also pursue a Ph.D. in conjunction with the DPT. Students in this program complete the three-year DPT program before matriculating completely into the Ph.D. program, which emphasizes movement science. A post-professional program is also offered by Washington University. This program allows physical therapists to learn other areas of expertise, such as muscle structure, function and mutability; dynamics of the health care system; development, control and analysis of human movement; essentials of evidence-based clinical practice; and clinical implications of tissue mechanics.
Washington University in St. Louis
Program in Physical Therapy
Campus Box 8502
4444 Forest Park Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-286-1400
pt.wustl.edu
Tied with Washington University for the No. 2 ranking is the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), which also has a well-respected medical school and a reputation for research in the medical sciences. The physical therapy program is closely tied to the field of rehabilitation science. Pitt offers bachelor's and master's degrees in rehabilitation science, along with several different master's degree programs in the fields of rehabilitation science and technology, and sports medicine and nutrition. The physical therapy division offers the master of science in health and rehabilitation science, with an emphasis in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal physical therapy. In addition to the DPT, a Ph.D. is offered in the field of rehabilitation science.
University of Pittsburgh
Department of Physical Therapy
4020 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-383-6558
www.shrs.pitt.edu/dpt
The Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC) is the top-rated physical therapy program in the nation. USC is a leading research institution in the field, as evidenced by the Ph.D. programs it offers in addition to the traditional DPT degree. Students can pursue either a master's degree or Ph.D. in the field of biokinesiology. Various residency programs are offered as well, in the fields of sports physical therapy, neurological practice and orthopedic practice.
University of Southern California
Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 155
Los Angeles, CA 90089
323-442-2900
pt.usc.edu