The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus DPT-PhD pathway facilitates a viable educational plan for promising students with a strong interest in academic physical therapy and rehabilitation science. This collaborative dual degree pathway between the CU Physical Therapy Program and the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program provides an efficient approach to earning both the clinical doctorate and the research doctorate. Key elements of this educational pathway include:

• The early identification of DPT students who wish to also pursue the Rehabilitation Science PhD via their affirmation in PTCAS (June – December)
• Inclusion of DPT-PhD pathway students in the Rehabilitation Science PhD Information Session during Year 1 of the DPT Program
• A commitment to work study Research Assistant appointments in a program-affiliated laboratory or research team for at least 2 semesters during Year 1 and Year 2 of the DPT program
• Submission of a full application package for the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program during Year 2 of the DPT Program 
• Selected students accepted into the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program may initiate their laboratory rotation and experiences 6 months prior to the start of didactic training.
• Students who fulfill all the requirements of the DPT-PhD pathway will have an anticipated PhD degree completion time of 3 to 3.5 years. However, this time estimate may vary depending on the nature of the dissertation project, student progress in the didactic and laboratory-based learning requirements, and other factors. 

Students will indicate their interest in the DPT-PhD pathway at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus via PTCAS and through a Letter of Intent forwarded to Dr. Stevens-Lapsley (jennifer.stevens-lapsley@cuanschutz.edu; single-page limit; due December 1st).