10 Best Physical Therapy Schools In 2026
10 Best Physical Therapy Schools. These Therapy schools offer comprehensive programs and clinical experiences to prepare students for a career in physical therapy. To become a physical therapist, students must first master areas of science such as biomechanics, neuroscience, exercise physiology and anatomy.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits physical therapy programs to assure quality, both that the quality of your course work is high and that the schools produce people qualified to serve the public. CAPTE is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
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Top 5 physical therapy schools in the U.S.
- University of Pittsburgh,
- Washington University in St. Louis,
- University of Southern California,
- University of Iowa, and
- University of Delaware.
Best Physical Therapy Schools
You are planning to major in physical therapy and you want to study in the United States. You might have heard that the US has the best physical therapy schools worldwide. Below we’ll give you more information about the top Physical Therapy college/Schools in the US.
What College Is Best To Become A Physical Therapist?
1. University of Iowa – Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.
The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science offers a distinctive learning experience to its students. The program provides proper resources to the students to harmonize the mission of excellence in research, clinical service, and teaching. The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences offers degrees like DPT, MA, and Ph.D. As a professional clinical entry-level program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT admits about 40 students in the month of July every year. The program is 2½ year curriculum and includes 35 weeks of clinical education experience (full time).
2. Washington University in St. Louis – Physical Therapy.
The Washington University Program in Physical Therapy is a full-time, three-year program. The program combines the classroom and clinical learning to prepare the students for professional leadership. The esteemed faculty of the program is recognized for its extensive command of neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions as well as in-depth knowledge of movement impairment classification.
3. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers a complete 115-unit program in physical therapy. In order to be able to achieve 115 units, the program is made up of six semesters and two summer courses. The university has also made it obligatory as part of their curriculum during all 3 years to gain clinical experience during your studies. Once you have finished your three years with success, the USC graduate school will award you with a D.P.T., the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy.
4. University of Delaware – College of Health Sciences.
As one of the largest programs in the College of Health Sciences, The University of Delaware DPT Program is a university-based extensive physical therapist educational program. The curriculum is designed to develop lifelong learning skills amongst the students and enables them to become pioneers in their respective careers. The program regularly utilizes instructors who are well-known experts to help students establish relationships between clinical research and practice.
5. The University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers a full-time program that will lead you down the path to getting your D.P.T. degree in three years or an equivalent of nine semesters. During the last year, all students have to do a one-year internship in a clinic to complete their degree.
6. University Of Miami DPT Program
The Department of Physical Therapy offers two doctoral level degrees; a three year, entry level clinical doctoral degree the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and an academic doctoral degree, (PhD) in Physical Therapy. The Department of Physical Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The University of Miami is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS) Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.
The Department of Physical Therapy seeks to embody the American Physical Therapy Association vision of physical therapists as individuals involved in “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
7. Baylor University – Physical Therapy
The Department of Physical Therapy at Baylor University seeks to advance societal health through innovative education, connection, inquiry, and leadership in physical therapy. The innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program combines best practices in distance education, on-campus lab immersion sessions, and clinical education experiences to prepare you as a physical therapist and servant leader in this vital profession.
Top 30 Physical therapy schools in the U.S
- University of Southern California.
- University of Pittsburgh
- Washington University in St. Louis.
- University of Delaware
- University of Iowa.
- US Army-Baylor University.
- Arcadia University.
- MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Northwestern University
- University of Miami
- Emory University.
- University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.
- Duke University
- University of California–San Francisco
- New York University
- University of Florida
- University of Illinois–Chicago
- University of Maryland–Baltimore.
- Creighton University
- Marquette University.
- Ohio State University
- University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
- University of Utah
- Boston University
- Texas Woman’s University
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- University of Texas Medical Branch–Galveston.
- Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Northern Arizona University
- Regis University.
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