Physical Therapy Ph.D.

The distance hybrid program allows students to participate from anywhere in the world. Delivery depends on the semester and what courses you are taking:

1. There is no required on-campus time during the summer semester, except for students choosing to take certain elective courses.
2. There is no required on-campus time during the fall semester. For core courses offered in the fall, there are 2-4 days of online synchronous time (typically in October) that you can complete from anywhere without traveling to Florida. 
3. Students may have to come to our Fort Lauderdale campus in the winter semester (typically in March), for 2-4 days, depending on course selection and cohort:
   • First-year students are offered two choices in their first winter semester: (a) take winter classes online and not come to campus until their second year, or (b) come on-campus for one class their first winter. This provides increased flexibility as students are acclimating to their first year in the program.
   • All second-year students have an on-campus visit in their winter semester.
   • The only other time students are required to visit campus is to take the comprehensive exam.
4. The dissertation process is entirely online, including the dissertation defense.

Selection of students for the Physical Therapy Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is based on prior academic performance, clinical experiences, and references. We seek students who are critical thinkers and have qualities such as assertiveness, initiative, leadership, self-understanding, openness, and strong communication skills. Students must also be motivated and self-directed. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a graduate of schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduates of physical therapy schools in other countries are also eligible with review of academic credentials by an appropriate agency (details below) and review of English proficiency scores as applicable.
   • A qualified applicant with a master's degree or an entry-level DPT degree is required to complete a course of study with a minimum of 60 credit hours.
   • A qualified applicant with a post professional doctoral (including transitional DPT) degree from a regionally accredited school may transfer up to 6 credit hours.
2. Demonstrate English language proficiency, if appropriate, with test scores from TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, etc. See NSU's language proficiency requirements for more guidance. 
3. Have a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist by the time of program start.

The Dean is empowered to evaluate the total qualifications of every student and to modify requirements in unusual circumstances.

Foreign Coursework

Graduate and undergraduate coursework taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by one of the three agencies listed below. You should contact:

• Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
  124 West Street South, 3rd Floor
  Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
  Phone: (703) 684-8406*
  Website: www.fccpt.org

  *This agency specializes in evaluation for U.S. PT licensure. 

• International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (ICD)
  3600 Market Street, Suite 450
  Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
  Phone: (215) 243-5858
  Fax: (215) 349-0026
  Website: www.icdeval.com  

   

• International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
  PO Box 3665
  Culver City, CA 90231-3655, USA
  Phone: (310) 258-9451
  Fax: (310) 342-7086
  Website: www.ierf.org 

All of the following documents must be received by our admissions office by the application deadline: 

1. A completed application form along with a non-refundable application fee of $50.
2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate, professional, and graduate institutions attended, sent directly to the NSU Office of Enrollment Processing Services from other institutions.
3. Professional experience information.
4. Three recommendations from individuals who can evaluate applicant's performance as a physical therapist and/or the applicant's potential for doctoral studies. One of them must come from a physical therapy professor with a terminal research doctoral degree. 
5. A statement of purpose indicating professional and research interests (see instructions).
6. If applicable for foreign applicants, English proficiency scores from TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS, etc. See NSU's language proficiency requirements for more guidance. 

NOTE: An interview may also be required at program director's discretion after initial application review. 

Please contact the admissions office (see bottom of page for contact info) if you have any questions regarding application submission.

Foreign Coursework

Coursework taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by one of the three agencies listed below. Your evaluation should include a GPA calculation.

• Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) *
  124 West Street South, 3rd Floor
  Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
  Phone: (703) 684-8406*
  www.fccpt.org
  *This agency specializes in evaluation for U.S. PT licensure. Please make sure you ask for a GPA calculation.

• International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (ICD)
  3600 Market Street
  Suite 450
  Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
  Phone: (215) 243-5858
  Fax: (215) 349-0026
  www.icdeval.com

• International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
  PO Box 3665
  Culver City, CA 90231-3655, USA
  Phone: (310) 258-9451
  Fax: (310) 342-7086
  www.ierf.org 

All admissions materials must be sent to:

Enrollment Processing Services
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue, P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-9905

Applicant Evaluation

After an evaluation of their credentials, qualified applicants may be contacted for a phone or online interview.

Courses are conducted in a distance-hybrid format and as independent study under faculty supervision.  The distance hybrid education format enables students to continue their career while earning the degree.

Graduates will be awarded the Ph.D. degree in Physical Therapy upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements.

Please note: This program has three semesters per year (Summer, Fall, Winter). 

* These courses are required.