The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) was the former standard of education for physical therapists in the United States. This degree was the primary educational pathway for several decades. The MPT was a post-baccalaureate qualification, requiring students to earn an undergraduate degree before beginning professional studies. Although this degree is no longer the required starting point, professionals who earned it remain fully licensed and qualified to practice. Understanding the MPT helps recognize the evolution of the physical therapy profession.
Defining the Master of Physical Therapy
The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), along with the Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT), was the common entry-level degree for physical therapists across the U.S. Earning this degree granted graduates the legal authority to sit for the national licensure examination. Successful completion of this exam remains the final step to becoming a licensed physical therapist.
Professionals holding an MPT are authorized to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals with movement dysfunction and physical disabilities. Their scope of practice includes using physical measures such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques, and various physical agents and modalities. The practice focused on restoring function, relieving pain, and preventing physical limitations, preparing MPT graduates to be self-directed generalists.
The MPT and MSPT degrees conferred the designation of “PT” (Physical Therapist) upon licensure, affirming the professional standing and ability to practice independently within the jurisdictional scope of their state. While the entry-level degree has changed, existing physical therapists who earned the MPT maintain their full licensure and are recognized as qualified practitioners in the field.
Educational Structure and Clinical Training
The MPT program was typically structured as a two- to three-year program following the completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree. Admission was competitive, requiring a strong undergraduate academic record and foundational knowledge in the natural sciences. Prerequisite coursework often included a required number of credits in sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and physics.
The didactic portion of the curriculum included core scientific subjects like biomechanics, kinesiology, pathology, and neuroscience. Students studied the cardiovascular, pulmonary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular systems to understand medical and surgical conditions frequently encountered in practice. The education was designed to produce generalists capable of solving problems and managing patients in diverse clinical environments.
A fundamental aspect of the MPT degree was the required clinical education component, which involved supervised clinical internships or rotations. These rotations were necessary for graduation and provided the practical experience required to apply academic knowledge. A typical MPT program included approximately 15 weeks of full-time clinical experience integrated throughout the program.
The Shift to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
The profession transitioned away from the MPT degree to establish the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) as the new entry-level standard, a goal set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This shift was driven by the desire to elevate the profession’s standing and align its educational requirements with other healthcare disciplines. The increased complexity of modern healthcare necessitated a higher level of training for physical therapists.
The move to the DPT credential was instrumental in allowing physical therapists to achieve greater professional autonomy, including the ability to practice with “direct access” in many states. This means patients can see a PT without a physician’s referral. To support this autonomy, the DPT curriculum was expanded beyond the MPT’s focus. The DPT program typically takes three years to complete and significantly increases the required clinical experience, often requiring a full year of rotations.
The enhanced DPT curriculum includes deeper coursework in areas such as differential diagnosis, pharmacology, and medical imaging, which were less emphasized in the MPT program. This additional instruction ensures new graduates have the expanded knowledge base needed to serve as autonomous healthcare providers. The transition to the DPT elevated the educational standard, preparing physical therapists for a broader and more independent role within the healthcare system.