The University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy plans to launch its top-rated Doctor of Physical Therapy program online beginning in Fall 2018, pending approval by accreditation bodies.
Called DPT@USC, the program will utilize the learning platform developed by education technology company 2U Inc to offer online instruction concurrently with USC’s on-campus DPT program. This way, students can receive the same high-quality instruction they would receive in person without the need to relocate.
Leveraging the 2U Inc system, DPT@USC will offer collaborative, live classes that facilitate face-to-face interaction, as well as coursework developed by USC faculty. Completion of a total of 33 courses is needed in order to graduate.
Along with the classroom training, DPT@USC students will need to spend a total of 50 weeks in full-time clinical internships as well as travel to USC for more than 65 days of hands-on clinical skills laboratories, according to a media release from 2U Inc.
“We are excited to partner with 2U to launch an online Doctor of Physical Therapy program that will be both innovative, by leveraging the best elements of online and experiential learning, and accessible, by reaching more students nationwide to meet the growing demand for highly qualified physical therapists,” says USC Associate Dean James Gordon, in the release.
U.S. News and World Report has ranked the physical therapy program offered at USC No 1 in the country since 2004.
[Source(s): 2U Inc, University of Southern California, PR Newswire]
