Tufts University School of Medicine is making a significant stride in advancing physical therapy education by announcing the launch of its fourth accelerated hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program location in Atlanta, Georgia. This expansion marks a notable addition to its existing programs in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle, reflecting the institution’s ongoing commitment to addressing the burgeoning demand for well-trained physical therapists across the United States. Scheduled to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2027, the Atlanta program aims to provide an innovative educational pathway that blends online learning modalities with immersive hands-on clinical experiences.
The newly introduced Tufts DPT-Atlanta program adheres to the school’s rigorously designed two-year accelerated hybrid curriculum model. This model effectively integrates synchronous and asynchronous online coursework with in-person clinical skills laboratories, creating a cohesive and dynamic learning environment. By leveraging technology, the program offers students flexibility while maintaining high standards of clinical competence. The combination of interactive virtual learning and hands-on training ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the complexities of modern physical therapy practice.
Applications for the Tufts DPT-Atlanta program will open through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) in June 2026. The admissions process is designed to be highly selective, aiming to recruit a class of students dedicated to excellence and innovation in the physical therapy field. Prospective applicants will join a growing community of professionals trained under Tufts’ evidence-based, integrated curriculum, which reflects the latest advances in rehabilitation science and healthcare delivery models.
Eric J. Hegedus, chair of Tufts University School of Medicine’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, noted the program’s rapid growth, highlighting that the Doctor of Physical Therapy has become the second largest degree offering at the school. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Atlanta expansion, linking it to the broader goal of providing transformative educational experiences to students in diverse geographic regions. This approach not only broadens access to quality physical therapy education but also strengthens regional healthcare networks by fostering relationships between academic institutions and local clinical settings.
The initiation of the Atlanta program is a direct response to epidemiological and workforce data indicating a pressing need for skilled physical therapists, especially in rapidly growing regions such as the Southeastern United States. According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is expected to grow at a rate exceeding the average for healthcare professions over the next eight years. This growth is driven by factors including an aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation and preventive care.
Alexis A. Wright, the program director for Tufts DPT-Atlanta, articulated the vision behind establishing the new location. She expressed pride in bringing Tufts’ transformative DPT curriculum closer to students and communities in the Southeast, a region characterized by dynamic growth and diverse healthcare needs. This strategic positioning serves to not only expand educational access but also bolster the healthcare infrastructure by producing clinicians adept in contemporary therapeutic methods and sensitive to community health dynamics.
Tufts’ DPT curriculum is both accelerated and comprehensive, requiring students to complete 127 semester credit hours across seven consecutive semesters. This contrasts with the traditional nine-semester timeline common in many physical therapy programs, highlighting the institution’s innovative approach to condensing intensive training while ensuring depth and breadth of knowledge. The program balances foundational science, clinical reasoning, and practical skill development in a progressive format designed to reinforce learning through repetition and scaffolded complexity.
A distinctive feature of the program’s curriculum is its emphasis on integrated learning across clinical domains. Students engage deeply with human movement systems, applying biomechanical, neurological, and physiological principles in varied simulated and real-world clinical contexts. This integrative approach fosters a nuanced understanding of physical therapy interventions and supports the development of sophisticated clinical decision-making skills that are essential for effective patient care.
Moreover, the curriculum embeds consideration of social determinants of health throughout its coursework. Graduates are trained to recognize how factors such as socioeconomic status, community environment, education, and access barriers impact patient outcomes and recovery trajectories. This holistic perspective ensures that physical therapists from Tufts are equipped not only with technical expertise but also with cultural competence and ethical sensitivity, enabling them to deliver equitable and patient-centered care.
The establishment of the Atlanta site is currently progressing through the process of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Achieving this accreditation will validate the program’s adherence to rigorous academic and clinical standards, ensuring that graduates are qualified for licensure and professional practice nationwide. Tufts University’s commitment to quality assurance underscores the institution’s dedication to shaping the future of physical therapy education.
For prospective students interested in the existing Tufts DPT programs, applications are currently open for locations in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle. The Atlanta program’s application cycle will commence in June 2026, inviting a new cohort of students to embark on their professional journey with Tufts. With its innovative hybrid model, accelerated pacing, and commitment to clinical excellence, the program promises to be a leading force in shaping competent, adaptive, and socially responsible physical therapists.
In summary, the launch of the Tufts University School of Medicine’s DPT program in Atlanta represents a meaningful evolution in the landscape of physical therapy education. By combining advanced pedagogical strategies with a clinically immersive curriculum, Tufts responds to workforce needs and healthcare challenges with foresight and innovation. This expansion not only enriches the educational offerings available to aspiring physical therapists but also contributes significantly to meeting the growing demand for high-quality rehabilitation services in a rapidly developing region of the United States.
Subject of Research: Doctor of Physical Therapy education; accelerated hybrid DPT curriculum; physical therapy workforce development
Article Title: Tufts University Expands Accelerated Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs with New Atlanta Location
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated; inferred 2024
Web References:
– Tufts DPT-Atlanta program: https://medicine.tufts.edu/admissions-financial-aid/admission-program/doctor-physical-therapy/dpt-atlanta
– Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS): https://ptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics physical therapists outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
– Accreditation information: https://medicine.tufts.edu/academics/physical-therapy#accreditation
Image Credits: Caitlin O’Hara for Tufts University
Keywords: Graduate education; Physical therapy; Doctor of Physical Therapy; Accelerated hybrid curriculum; Rehabilitation sciences; Healthcare workforce; Clinical skills labs; Social determinants of health
