Doctor of Physical Therapy - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering at University of Pittsburgh

A highly competitive full-time dual-degree program combining Pitt's DPT (106 credits, leading to licensure eligibility) with a PhD in Bioengineering (72 credits) for students with an engineering or engineering-related background. It is co-directed by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Swanson School of Engineering.

Faculty: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences  |  Department: Physical Therapy (co-directed with the Swanson School of Engineering)  |  Duration: Minimum of 6 years (19 terms minimum, including some summer terms)  |  Intake: Fall (August); applications open June 15, 2026; priority deadline November 2, 2026, final deadline December 1, 2026  |  Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Students follow the DPT plan of study for the first seven semesters (four clinical placements, two research lab rotations), then the PhD plan: bioengineering track courses, life sciences, graduate electives, graduate engineering mathematics, statistics for bioengineers, bioethics, seminars, a grant-writing workshop, two teaching practicums and dissertation research with an oral defense.

Career pathways

Combines an entry-level DPT leading to licensure with PhD training to become an independent researcher.

Official programme page