Dual DPT and PhD

Earn a Ph.D. alongside your DPT

As a DPT student, you have the opportunity to maximize your time on campus by also working toward a Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Our exciting and cutting-edge dual degree was created for students with an interest in physical therapy research.

The Ph.D. portion of the dual degree is fully funded with a stipend, health insurance, and project funds. The curriculum is a combination of 110 credit hours from the three-year DPT program and 90 credits from the Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program. To satisfy the Ph.D. degree requirements, you must:

  • Apply up to 30 credit hours from your DPT degree toward the Ph.D. coursework
  • Take 30 credit hours of coursework from the Ph.D. curriculum
  • Complete a Ph.D. dissertation and 30 credits of research hours

Key advantages of pursuing a dual degree

Save money

The Ph.D. portion of the dual degree is fully funded with a stipend, health insurance, and project funds. Completing it alongside the DPT program saves you both time and money.

Form connections

Individual training with a rehabilitation scientist.

Mentorship with research and teaching faculty.

Opportunities for national and international presentations.

Gain hands-on experience

Integrated clinicals.
Dedicated clinic time available during Ph.D.

Develop teaching skills during your Ph.D. by being a laboratory assistant in your area of expertise.

Interested in taking advantage of this opportunity? Here's what you need to know

To be eligible to apply for the Dual Doctor of Physical Therapy and Ph.D. degree program you need to meet all the following requirements:

Learn about how to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at IUPUI.

The pre-admission status involves research lab rotations within SHHS. This rotation process will introduce students to the various faculty research programs. By the end of the spring semester, those interested in the dual degree will submit a statement of research intent.

Apply using the Indiana University Graduate CAS IUPUI Application. Applications are accepted from March 1 to May 1 for admission for the summer or fall. If accepted into the dual-degree program, students will begin working with their Ph.D. mentor while completing the DPT program.

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