Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Duke University

Programme overview

Ranked No. 6 in the 2026 U.S. News rankings, Duke's DPT is based within a leading medical school with close faculty-student relationships. The curriculum meets state educational requirements for licensure in all states.

Faculty: Duke University School of Medicine | Study mode: full-time | Location: Durham, NC, United States

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Duke DPT: bachelor's degree from an accredited institution by matriculation, completed prerequisites, 50 in-person observation hours with a licensed PT, and three letters (a professor, a licensed PT and one of choice). Virtual interview by invitation. Applications through PTCAS open June 15 and close October 15.

USD 42,000 a year (2026-27). DPT tuition is 42,000 per year (three-year programme); excludes institutional fees. Source

Graduate School Ph.D. programmes list application deadlines for students beginning graduate study in fall 2027.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate starts in August for applicants admitted in both the fall and spring rounds.

Fall 2027 Ph.D. deadlines (11:59 p.m. Eastern): most programmes 12/01/2026 including Biochemistry, Biology, Biostatistics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Immunology and Physics; Computer Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Religion and Statistical Science 12/15/2026; English 12/08/2026; Economics 01/06/2027; Earth and Climate Sciences and Music 01/07/2027; Nursing 11/19/2026; Business Administration 12/14/2026; Political Science and Sociology 12/17/2026; Romance Studies 12/30/2026. Computational Media, Arts and Cultures and Public Policy Studies are not accepting applications for 2027 enrollment.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 2026-27 application deadlines: Fall round Thursday, October 8, 2026; Spring round Tuesday, January 12, 2027 (applications through OTCAS). Fall applicants are notified the first week of December 2026 and spring applicants the first week of March 2027.

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