The acronym MSPT stands for Master of Science in Physical Therapy. For a significant period, this graduate-level degree was the academic standard for entering the physical therapy profession. It conferred the necessary qualifications for candidates to sit for the national licensing exam and begin practice as a licensed Physical Therapist (PT). While educational requirements have since evolved, the MSPT credential remains visible on the licenses and professional documents of many experienced clinicians.
Defining the Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT)
The Master of Science in Physical Therapy was the common entry-level degree from the late 1980s until the early 2000s, succeeding the Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT). This graduate program typically required applicants to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree before beginning the specialized coursework. The curriculum generally spanned two to three years of full-time study, including both academic and clinical components.
The core focus of the MSPT curriculum was preparing students for direct patient care. Coursework concentrated on foundational sciences such as human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology (the study of human movement). Students received training in therapeutic exercise, physical modalities, and clinical reasoning to develop individualized treatment plans. A required element was completing supervised clinical rotations in various healthcare settings under licensed physical therapists.
This master’s degree was designed as a clinical degree to train competent physical therapists who could assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. The educational framework ensured graduates possessed the knowledge and skills necessary for state licensure. Upon successful completion of academic and clinical requirements, graduates were awarded the MSPT degree and became eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The Shift to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
The Master of Science in Physical Therapy is no longer offered as the entry-level degree in the United States, due to a profession-wide mandate to transition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). This shift was driven by elevating the profession’s academic standing, promoting greater autonomy, and aligning educational requirements with other doctoral-level health care providers. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) pushed for this change to enhance the profession’s ability to practice with direct access, allowing patients to see a physical therapist without a physician referral.
The DPT program significantly expanded upon the MSPT curriculum, generally requiring about three years of graduate-level study after a bachelor’s degree. While the DPT still includes foundational anatomy and clinical skills, it incorporates a deeper and broader scope of study. A key difference lies in the increased emphasis on evidence-based practice, research methodology, and advanced patient management skills.
The DPT curriculum includes substantial training in differential diagnosis, requiring therapists to screen for systemic conditions and recognize signs and symptoms that necessitate a referral to another healthcare provider. It also dedicates more time to advanced coursework in pharmacology, medical imaging, and practice management to prepare graduates for autonomous practice. This increased educational depth reflects the profession’s expanded role in the healthcare system.
Scope of Practice for MSPT Holders
The MSPT credential remains fully valid for professional practice today. The legal right to practice physical therapy is granted by state licensure, not by the academic degree itself. MSPT holders who successfully passed the NPTE and obtained a license are fully licensed Physical Therapists. They are considered “grandfathered” into the profession, meaning their previously earned degree and license are maintained despite the change in entry-level education standards.
An MSPT holder operates under the same state practice act as a DPT holder regarding clinical function and patient treatment. Both must adhere to the same legal and professional scope of practice, which dictates the procedures and actions they are permitted to perform. The difference between the two degrees is primarily in the entry-level academic requirements, not in the day-to-day clinical competency of the licensed practitioner.
Most states require all licensed Physical Therapists, regardless of their entry-level degree, to complete ongoing continuing education (CE) to maintain their license. This requirement ensures that MSPT holders remain current with the latest advancements in evidence-based practice, research, and patient care integrated into the DPT curriculum. Therefore, an experienced MSPT holder who maintains CE is functionally equivalent to a DPT holder in patient care provision.