[3] In 1992, the University of Southern California initiated the first post-professional "transitional" (DPT) program in the United States.
[4] This "transitional" DPT takes into account a physical therapist's current level of knowledge and skill and purports to offer programs that upgrade clinical skills to meet the needs of the current health care environment.
[citation needed] In the United Kingdom and Australia, the PhD or Professional Doctorate in Physiotherapy is offered by a number of universities.
[citation needed] The DPT degree prepares students to be eligible for the physical therapy license examination in all 50 US states.
Along with the license examination, some states do require physical therapists to take a law exam and a criminal background check.
[9] After completing a DPT program, the doctor of physical therapy may continue training in a residency and then fellowship.
[14] The typical time frame for completion of a Doctor of Physical Therapy is 3 to 4 years after earning a bachelor's degree.
[25] The t-DPT degree is conferred upon completion of a structured post-professional educational experience that results in the augmentation of knowledge, skills, and behaviors to a level consistent with the current professional (entry-level) DPT standards.
Post-professional DPT (Transitional) degree programs are typically offered on a primarily online learning model and are often one year in length.
"[30] Critics in the 1990s questioned whether the rigor of the physical therapy curriculum and the scope of practice warranted the conferral of a professional degree similar to that characteristic of medicine, dentistry, or nursing.
Post-graduation, licensed physical therapists have the ability to pursue a clinical residency or fellowship to expand their knowledge and experience.
[43] Physical therapists also have the ability to pursue specialty certifications, where they become board certified clinical specialists.
The certifications given in the specific areas are: cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports physical therapy, wound care, and women's health.
The modalities include: ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, joint mobilization, massage, heat, ice, kinesiology taping, and many more.
[43] The "advanced clinical science" doctorate (e.g., DPTSc or DScPT, DHSc, ScDPT) is one of several degrees conferred by academic institutions upon successful completion of a post-professional physical therapist education program.
This program is intended to provide an experienced clinician with advanced knowledge, clinical skills, and professional behavior, usually in a specific specialty practice area.