Tufts University School of Medicine has announced the launch of its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in Atlanta, expanding its offerings beyond existing locations in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle.
The new DPT-Atlanta program will use the school’s two-year accelerated hybrid curriculum. Students will participate in both online coursework—delivered through synchronous and asynchronous formats—and in-person clinical skills labs. The application process for the Atlanta program will open via the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) in June 2026, with the first cohort expected to begin studies in Fall 2027.
Eric J. Hegedus, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine, said: "The Doctor of Physical Therapy has grown to be the second largest degree program at Tufts University School of Medicine. We are fortunate, with the addition of Atlanta, to be able to offer such a transformative experience to students in even more locations."
The expansion comes as demand for physical therapists continues to rise across the United States. According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for physical therapists are expected to grow much faster than average over the next eight years.
Students enrolled in Tufts’ DPT programs complete 127 semester credit hours over seven consecutive semesters—an accelerated schedule compared to traditional nine-semester programs. The online component is designed for flexibility, allowing students with different lifestyles to participate.
The curriculum focuses on integrated learning across clinical tracks and aims to deepen students’ understanding of human movement systems through repeated practice and increasing complexity. Courses connect foundational science with clinical reasoning and hands-on experience.
Social determinants of health are also embedded throughout the curriculum, preparing graduates to consider how factors such as social environment, economics, community resources, education levels, and accessibility affect patient outcomes and quality of life.
Applications remain open for Tufts DPT programs in Boston, Phoenix, and Seattle. The Atlanta location is currently seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
