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Doctor of Physical Therapy/Master of Public Health Dual Degree

This dual-degree program prepares physical therapists for careers as leaders who will span the boundaries between physical therapy and public health. Graduates from the program will:

  • Be high-quality, public health-oriented practitioners for people and communities with potential or existing movement dysfunction
  • Contribute to the knowledge base in population health through nationally recognized research
  • Drive efforts to improve population health and reduce health disparities.

Curriculum

Students complete coursework and clinical requirements to satisfy the requirements for both degrees. DPT courses are scheduled during the day, while MPH courses are offered in the evenings. Students begin MPH coursework the summer before matriculation into the DPT program and then take one or two MPH courses each term along with the regular DPT courseload. The required professional experiences for each degree coordinate so that MPH applied practice and culminating experiences coincide and complement DPT clinical education and the synthesis research project. Students will work closely with their faculty adviser to plan coursework, applied practice experience and culminating experience to complete both programs in three years.

 Year 1

Term DPT Courses MPH Courses
Summer (Year 0)
  • None
  • Introduction to Epidemiology
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Environmental Health Science
  • Qualitative Research Methods
Fall
  • Foundations of Public Health I
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist

Winter

  • Foundations of Public Health II
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist
Spring
  • Foundations of Public Health III
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist
Summer
  • Public Health Elective

 Year 2

Term DPT Courses MPH Courses
Fall
  • Intermediate Biostatistics
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist

Winter

  • Introduction to the US Healthcare System
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist
Spring
  • None
Summer
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist
  • 2 Electives

 Year 3

Term DPT Courses MPH Courses
Fall
  • Applied Practice Experience in Public Health
  • Topics in Public Health for the Physical Therapist

Winter

  • Culminating Experience in Public Health
Spring
  • Graduate
  • Graduate

How to Apply

Interested applicants must first receive an admission offer for the DPT program, made on a rolling basis between early October and early December.

Once admitted, students must apply to the Master of Public Health program via The Graduate School, submitting the following online by the May 1, 2024, application deadline:

  • A personal statement (one to two pages, single-spaced) on how the MPH degree will impact their physical therapy education and future career goals
  • Two references: One may be a reference used for the DPT application (the individual will be required to submit their reference again via TGS application); the second should be a different individual from the DPT application who is able to address the applicant's ability to succeed in a dual-degree program and/or to become a leader in the field of public health

Only applicants admitted during the 2023-2024 DPT admission cycle will be considered for the DPT/MPH track; if the dual-degree application is submitted in error, application fees will not be refunded. 

Financial Aid

A benefit of the dual-degree program is the cost-effective method for earning the MPH: Rather than full tuition for the MPH degree, students only pay a surcharge added to their DPT program tuition. The current surcharge rate for DPT/MPH students is $12,732 per academic year.

Contact Us

Complete our information request form to get in touch and find out more about the DPT/MPH program.

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