Why do some educators object to the DPT degree?
• Doctoral-level professional (entry-level) programs require increased human and financial resources that some programs cannot easily acquire; • Some institutions cannot make the transition from the master’s to the doctoral level because the state and/or the institution’s mission does not allow for the awarding of the DPT; • The professional (entry-level) DPT program is longer than the typical professional (entry-level) MPT program and, therefore, more costly to the student; • Professional (entry-level) DPT programs do not offer benefits to the profession and physical therapy practice that are not readily available in the MPT graduate; • The DPT degree (nomenclature) adds to the current confusion regarding the purpose, meaning, and significance of degrees within the physical therapy profession.
