Physiotherapy Schools and Programs in The United States

Physiotherapy Studies in The United States

In the United States physiotherapy is called physical therapy, and the profession has two regulated levels: the physical therapist (PT) and the physical therapist assistant (PTA). The route differs from that of most other countries. There is no bachelor's degree that qualifies a physiotherapist: physical therapists train at doctoral level after a first degree, and assistants train in a two-year associate degree, usually at a community college.

How the degrees are organised

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited programme. DPT programmes typically last three years and typically require a bachelor's degree, which may be in a health-related field, plus prerequisite courses such as anatomy, chemistry and physics. With the four years that a bachelor's degree usually takes, the full route is about seven years. DPT courses often include biomechanics, neuroscience and pharmacology, and students complete supervised clinical work.

Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists. The BLS states that all states require assistants to have an associate's degree from an accredited programme. These programmes typically last about two years and include anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, together with supervised clinical work.

The two levels are not consecutive steps: an associate degree as a PTA does not lead automatically into a DPT. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) lists a small number of accredited bridge programmes for assistants who want to become licensed physical therapists.

Accreditation and licensing

CAPTE is the only agency recognised by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programmes. According to CAPTE, it currently accredits over 300 physical therapist programmes and over 390 physical therapist assistant programmes in the United States. Accreditation applies to the programme, not to the college as a whole, so it should be checked for the specific course.

A degree alone does not give the right to practise. All states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing a qualifying exam, and all states require physical therapist assistants to be licensed or certified. Other requirements, such as a law exam or a criminal background check, vary by state.

Admission and language

PTA programmes at community colleges are often selective even where the college itself has open admission. McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, describes admission to its PTA programme as a competitive application process. Applicants need a minimum 2.8 grade point average in the general academic courses, documented proof of 40 hours of volunteer, observation or work experience in two different physical therapy settings, and an interview if shortlisted. The programme starts each autumn, and the application deadline for autumn 2026 was 1 June 2026.

For international applicants, EducationUSA states that US institutions require an English language proficiency test before admission. Teaching and clinical placements are in English. To apply for an F student visa, a student must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study physiotherapy in the United States

Three schools with this subject are currently listed here, all of them two-year public colleges: McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas; Williston State College in Williston, North Dakota; and Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York. McLennan's Physical Therapist Assistant programme is a two-year associate degree accredited by CAPTE, and its graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Williston State College lists a Physical Therapy Assistant programme as coming soon among its new healthcare programmes; it already offers an Associate in Applied Science in Massage Therapy, which is a different profession. Programme availability changes, so each college's own site should be checked before applying.

Students who want to become physical therapists need a university with a DPT programme; CAPTE's directory of accredited programmes is the place to search.

Recognition of the qualification

Licensing in the United States is handled by state boards. Students who plan to return home should ask their national authority how a DPT or a PTA associate degree is recognised there. The reverse route also has rules: according to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), physiotherapists educated abroad need an educational credentials review, which compares their education with the first professional degree of a CAPTE-accredited US programme.

Careers

The BLS counts 283,700 physical therapist jobs in 2025 and projects employment to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,400 openings each year. For physical therapist assistants and aides it counts 163,200 jobs and projects growth of 17 percent over the same period, with about 24,900 openings each year. Both rates are described as much faster than the average for all occupations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy in the United States?

Not as a professional qualification. According to the BLS, physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which typically requires a bachelor's degree for entry.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years and a DPT programme typically lasts three years, followed by the state licensing exam.

What is a physical therapist assistant?

A PTA works under the direction of a physical therapist. The qualification is an associate's degree of about two years from an accredited programme, and all states require a licence or certification.

Can a physiotherapist trained abroad work in the United States?

Only after meeting state licensing requirements. FSBPT explains that foreign-educated applicants need an educational credentials review by an independent credentialing agency.