Exploring Physical Therapy (DPT) & Occupational Therapy (OT)
Exploring Physical Therapy (DPT) & Occupational Therapy (OT)
Physical therapists and occupational therapists help people improve function, independence, and participation in daily life. Explore the differences between these professions, academic preparation, observation and clinical experiences, and the graduate application process.
Compare the professions and plan your preparation
PT and OT often work alongside one another, but their training and clinical roles differ. Spend time learning about both professions before deciding which pathway best fits your interests.
Physical therapists evaluate and treat movement and functional limitations related to injury, illness, disability, surgery, chronic conditions, and other health concerns. Treatment may address mobility, strength, balance, endurance, pain, movement patterns, and safe participation in daily activities.
PTs work with people across the lifespan in outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, home health, sports settings, skilled nursing facilities, and other healthcare environments.
Physical therapy may appeal to students who:
- Are interested in anatomy, movement, exercise, and rehabilitation.
- Enjoy working directly with patients over repeated visits.
- Want to evaluate movement and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Are comfortable with a hands-on and physically active clinical role.
- Enjoy helping people work toward functional goals over time.
Professional education
Entry-level physical therapist education in the United States leads to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Students should attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or review the accreditation status carefully if considering a developing program.
After professional education, graduates pursue licensure through their state or jurisdiction. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, is part of the licensure process.
Explore Physical Therapy
- American Physical Therapy Association: Careers in Physical Therapy
- CAPTE: Physical Therapy Program Directory
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physical Therapists
DPT programs establish their own admission prerequisites. Students may pursue a variety of undergraduate majors as long as they complete the required coursework and degree requirements for the programs they plan to apply to.
Common DPT prerequisite areas include:
- Biology with laboratory
- Human Anatomy & Physiology with laboratory
- General Chemistry with laboratory
- Physics with laboratory
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Additional mathematics, writing, behavioral science, or other coursework at some programs
Prerequisite policies vary by program, including minimum grades and policies for AP credit, community college coursework, online courses, and course age. Review each program before finalizing your academic plan.
Observation and physical therapy experience
Many DPT programs require or recommend experience observing physical therapists. Current requirements vary substantially. Programs may specify a minimum number of hours, ask for experience in more than one setting, or have no formal observation-hour requirement.
Use the PTCAS Program Directory to check each school’s expectations before planning your hours. When possible, exposure to different patient populations and practice settings can help you understand the range of physical therapy practice.
Other experiences
Employment, service, research, athletics, coaching, teaching, leadership, and other activities can strengthen skills relevant to graduate professional education. Students should choose involvement that fits their interests and responsibilities rather than trying to reproduce a single model of a successful applicant.
Program Research
Most participating DPT programs use the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants complete one centralized application and designate the participating programs that should receive it.
GRE requirements
GRE policies differ among DPT programs. Some require the exam, some list it as optional, and others do not use it. Check your prospective programs before registering so you know whether the test is necessary for your school list.
Choosing programs
Review each program’s accreditation status, prerequisites, observation requirements, cost, curriculum, clinical education model, location, outcomes, and admissions policies. CAPTE and the PTCAS Program Directory are useful starting points for program research.
The PTCAS application
PTCAS collects academic history, transcripts, prerequisite information, experiences, observation hours when applicable, evaluations, written responses, and program-specific materials. Individual programs may also require supplemental applications or fees.
Letters of recommendation
Recommendation requirements vary. Programs may request letters from physical therapists, faculty members, supervisors, or other individuals who can speak to your preparation and professional qualities. Review each program’s requirements before selecting recommenders.
Villanova HPA offers a letter packet process for eligible applicants. The current HPA Letter Packet Process page includes cycle-specific requirements, forms, and deadlines.
Interviews
Interview practices differ by program. Prepare to discuss your understanding of physical therapy, observation and healthcare experiences, academic preparation, teamwork, communication, and your reasons for applying to the individual program.
Official DPT Application Resources
Occupational therapists help people participate in the activities they need or want to do in everyday life. In occupational therapy, these activities are referred to as occupations and may include self-care, school, work, play, social participation, household tasks, community activities, and other parts of daily living.
OTs work with people whose participation has been affected by injury, illness, disability, developmental differences, aging, mental health conditions, or changes in their environment. Treatment may involve building skills, adapting activities, modifying environments, recommending equipment, or developing strategies that support greater independence.
Occupational therapists practice in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, outpatient clinics, mental and behavioral health settings, home health, skilled nursing facilities, community programs, and other settings.
Occupational therapy may appeal to students who:
- Are interested in how health affects everyday function and participation.
- Enjoy working with people across different ages and abilities.
- Like adapting activities or environments to solve practical problems.
- Are interested in physical, cognitive, developmental, and behavioral aspects of health.
- Value individualized care built around a person’s goals and daily life.
Master’s and doctoral entry pathways
Students may enter the occupational therapy profession through an ACOTE-accredited entry-level master’s degree or an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD). Both degree levels prepare graduates for entry-level occupational therapy practice.
The entry-level OTD includes additional doctoral-level requirements, including a capstone experience and project. Students comparing master’s and doctoral programs should consider program length, cost, curriculum, fieldwork structure, capstone opportunities, and their professional goals.
Graduates of accredited entry-level programs complete the certification process through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and pursue state licensure as required for practice.
Explore Occupational Therapy
- American Occupational Therapy Association: Become an OT
- ACOTE: Occupational Therapy School Directory
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists
Students from many undergraduate majors apply to occupational therapy programs. Admission prerequisites are determined by individual schools, so course planning should begin with the programs a student is considering.
Common prerequisite areas may include:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Statistics
- General Psychology
- Human Development or lifespan psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Biology, sociology, medical terminology, or other coursework at some programs
Programs differ in the specific courses they accept and may have policies regarding minimum grades, course recency, AP credit, online coursework, or community college courses. Students should verify current requirements directly with each program.
Observation and occupational therapy experience
Observation expectations differ among OT programs. Some require documented observation or volunteer hours with an occupational therapist, while others place greater emphasis on an applicant’s broader understanding of the profession and relevant experiences.
When choosing experiences, look for opportunities to learn about OT practice with different populations and in different settings when feasible. Programs may also specify who must verify observation hours or whether an occupational therapist should provide an evaluation.
Related experiences
Work or service involving people with disabilities, older adults, children, rehabilitation settings, mental health, community programs, education, or other human-service environments can help students understand the populations and issues they may encounter in OT. Experience does not need to follow one prescribed path.
Program Research
Many occupational therapy programs participate in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS), which allows applicants to submit one centralized application to multiple participating programs.
Choosing programs
Begin by confirming that the program offers an entry-level degree appropriate for a student who is not already an occupational therapist. Review ACOTE accreditation status, degree level, prerequisites, cost, curriculum, fieldwork opportunities, program length, location, and admissions requirements.
Both entry-level master’s and entry-level doctoral programs can lead to practice as an occupational therapist. Compare the structure and cost of the programs rather than assuming one degree level is required for entry into the profession.
GRE and other testing
Testing requirements are set by individual programs. Check each school before registering for the GRE or another admissions assessment.
The OTCAS application
OTCAS collects academic history, transcripts, experiences, evaluations, written materials, and program-specific information. Participating schools may require additional questions, supplemental applications, or fees.
Letters of recommendation
Programs determine their own evaluator requirements. Some may request a recommendation from an occupational therapist, while others accept faculty members, supervisors, or other individuals who know the applicant’s work well.
Villanova HPA offers a letter packet process for eligible applicants. Review the current process before the application cycle for requirements and deadlines.
Interviews
Interview formats vary. Applicants should be ready to discuss their understanding of occupational therapy, experiences with relevant populations, academic preparation, communication skills, and reasons for applying to the program.
Official OT Application Resources
Spend time with both professions if you are still deciding
PT and OT frequently collaborate and may work with the same patients, but they approach rehabilitation from different perspectives. Observing each profession can help you understand how their assessments, treatment goals, and day-to-day responsibilities differ.
| Physical Therapy | Often emphasizes movement, mobility, strength, balance, pain, physical function, and rehabilitation following injury or illness. |
| Occupational Therapy | Focuses on participation in daily occupations and may address physical, cognitive, developmental, behavioral, environmental, or adaptive factors affecting those activities. |
Research programs before building your course and experience plan
PT and OT programs set their own prerequisites and admissions requirements. Use official program directories and individual admissions websites to compare schools, then work with your faculty advisor and HPA as your plans develop.
