Top PTA to DPT Bridge Programs for 2026
For physical therapy assistants (PTAs) interested in earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, a bridge program is the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to start your new career. A bridge program can propel you into a PT career in as little as two years, fast-tracking your transition into this in-demand, lucrative field.
We’ve compiled a complete list of the top nationally accredited PTA to DPT programs nationwide. Read on to discover a program that suits your career goals!
Nurse.org's Top PTA to DPT Bridge Programs for 2026
Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| The University of Findley | $105,977 total | 2 ¼ years | CAPTE |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch | $1,496 - $1,969 per credit | 7 semesters | CAPTE |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | $107,619 total | 2 ½ years | CAPTE |
| William Carey University | $109,500 total | 3 years | CAPTE |
| New England Institute of Technology | $105,073 total | 27 months | CAPTE |
| Hanover College | $108,714 total | 2 years | CAPTE |
Findley’s PTA to DPT program mixes online coursework and in-person classes, which meet six times per term in the fall, winter, and spring. In total, students attend 18 on-campus sessions annually.
To complement their coursework, students must also work 40 hours per month as a PTA on average. They also complete 30 weeks of hands-on clinical work throughout the program.
- Application Deadlines:
- Priority: February 1st
- Final: June 3rd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (419) 434-4732
UTMD delivers its full-time PTA to PT transition program in a hybrid format. Students take online coursework and complete 2-3 onsite intensives per semester, which last 3-8 days each. They must also complete four clinical rotations throughout the program.
Most of the approved clinical sites for this program are in Texas, and none are in California or Colorado. The university urges students to mentally and financially prepare themselves for temporary relocation during clinical rotations.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $1,496.24 per credit
- Non-Resident: $1,969.24 per credit
- Application Deadline: October 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (409) 772-3068
- Email Address: utmbdptp@utmb.edu
Concordia’s hybrid online PT bridge program merges online learning with in-person instruction and hands-on experience. Students must attend classes on campus one weekend each month and work in a PTA role for at least 8 hours a week during their first two years. The program boasts an 83.3% first-time NPTE pass rate and a 100% employment rate of the students who passed.
- Application Deadline: June 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (262) 243-4433
- Email Address: jill.reich@cuw.edu
William Carey is a Christian university, offering a 3-year hybrid online PTA to DPT program to qualified applicants. Students must hold a current PTA license and continue to work as PTAs throughout the program.
In this program, students complete didactic classes online. However, they must commute to the Hattiesburg campus for extended weekends 3-4 times each term to attend in-person classes and labs.
- Application Deadline: July 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (601) 318-628
- Email Address: asumrall@wmcarey.edu or physicaltherapy@wmcarey.edu
The New England Institute of Technology is rolling out its first PTA to DPT bridge program during the winter term of 2026. Currently pending accreditation from CAPTE, program applications opened on June 17, 2025.
NEIT plans to accept 36 students in the initial cohort, with a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:18. The university will deliver the program in a hybrid format, combining synchronous and asynchronous online classes with in-person requirements. Students must attend 3-8 day immersions and labs at the East Greenwich campus during the first seven academic sessions of the program.
- Application Deadline: December 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (401) 739-5000
- Email Address: MCaruso@neit.edu
Hanover College’s recently accredited PTA to DPT bridge program utilizes a holistic approach to admissions and education. This hybrid program blends online classes with in-person clinicals that students can complete in their local communities. However, they must attend lab immersions at the Hanover, Indiana campus, located near Louisville.
- Application Deadline: June 2nd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (812) 647-6085
- Email Address: dpt@hanover.edu
PTA to DPT Program Overview
Bridge programs for physical therapy weave PTA practice hours into their requirements. Therefore, maintaining a PTA job is integral to earning your DPT if you attend one of these programs.
Throughout your studies, you can also expect to take various didactic classes (many of which are online) and complete in-person labs, intensives, and clinics. Juggling class and work requirements can be tricky, and good organization and time management skills are necessary to be successful.
Prerequisites
In general, these programs require applicants to complete the following courses with a C grade or higher to be eligible for consideration:
- General Chemistry with lab
- College Physics with lab
- Biology with lab
- Human anatomy with lab
- Physiology with lab
- College Algebra, Trigonometry, or Calculus
- Statistics
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Keep in mind that specific prerequisites may vary by school.
Admission Requirements
PTA to DPT bridge programs each have specific entrance requirements that may vary. However, in general, applicants must meet the following standards:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Bachelor's degree
- Current Physical Therapist Assistant license
- At least 2 years of full-time PTA work experience
- All official transcripts
- GRE, if applicable
- Letter(s) of recommendation
Classes & Coursework
Courses in a PT bridge program include, but are not limited to:
- Lifespan Development
- Clinical Pathology for Rehabilitation Specialists
- Clinical Examination in Physical Therapy
- Exercise & Manual Techniques in Physical Therapy
- Exercise Physiology
- Medical Diagnostics for the Physical Therapist
- Pharmacology for Rehabilitation Specialists
- Physical Agents and Pain Management in Physical Therapy
- Diagnosis and Management of Integumentary Dysfunction
- Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy
- Human Anatomy for Rehabilitation Professionals
- Movement Science
- Neuroscience for Health Professionals
- Professional Issues in Health Care and Physical Therapy
>> Related: DPT Program Requirements
How to Choose a PTA to DPT Program
Choosing a PTA to DPT program can take careful consideration, despite there being only six accredited programs nationwide. National accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is essential when choosing a program. Without accreditation, students are not eligible to sit for the national certification exam and ultimately gain employment.
Other factors to consider include:
- Overall tuition costs
- Clinical placement assistance
- Clinical rotation locations
- In-person on-campus requirements
- Attrition rate
- Graduation rate
- National certification pass rate
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Overall credit requirements
- Admission requirements
- GRE score requirements
