University of Montana - Rehab Essentials

Educating Health Professionals in a Cost-Effective Way

Accelerated Central & East Africa-Based MS to DPT

 

Earn Your Post Professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy in Just One Year!

The University of Montana is proud to collaborate with Syllabi Consultancy and Rehab Essentials to bring an 18-month accelerated Bachelor's to post professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program to students based in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, or Uganda. The University of Montana understands there is a discrepancy in cost of living and salaries in the PT profession internationally. Recognizing this, the University of Montana accommodates and provides access to an affordable pathway for physical therapists residing in these countries to acquire a DPT at a cost that is proportional to the market differential between the US and Central/East Africa Our accelerated post professional MS to DPT program is 100% online, budget-friendly, and the fastest path to earn your Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. For five semesters, you'll immerse yourself in the rigorous curriculum, learn from expert faculty, build competitive experience, and gain important insight that will help you throughout your career. Plus, the University of Montana is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Be empowered. Move Your Career Forward.

The University of Montana’s post professional Transitional DPT program (tDPT) program, provides a critical career advancement pathway for therapists trained at foreign Universities. The innovative, world-class curriculum is taught by the best and brightest faculty. The contemporary 100% asynchronous online format engages you from virtually anywhere.

You have 24/7 online access to your courses and assignments when you are ready from virtually anywhere. Courses can be viewed and reviewed anytime within the semester. Deadlines and key dates for assignments, quizzes and exams are easily found in the course dashboard to keep you on track. And all with a budget-friendly tuition.

Designed With You In Mind

This curriculum pathway will allow any MS-tDPT student residing in esiding in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, or Uganda to complete their transition to a DPT in five semesters versus the current seven semester track. The total cost of the program is the same (30 credits at $250 per credit) but enrolled students will be taking an average of 6-8 credits per semester.

This track is for foreign trained therapists looking to attain a DPT and to either meet license requirements or continue to practice in their native country.  All courses taken through this program are graduate level courses. While the tDPT coursework will assist toward the fulfillment of the educational requirements toward US licensure, it does not guarantee a US license. All physical therapists seeking US PT licensure should follow all steps outlined by the FSBPT

Key Dates

Application & Materials Deadlines:
Spring 2026 Cohort December 1, 2025
Summer 2026 Cohort March 16, 2025
 

Projected Semester Start Dates*:
Fall 2025 August 25, 2025
Spring 2026 December 29, 2025
Summer 2026 April 13, 2025

*Schedules for future academic semesters are projected for planning purposes. Dates are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed upon acceptance.

Curriculum

  • MS to DPT20 CREDIT, 3 SEMESTER PROGRAM*

* we run 3 semesters a year, starting January, April, and August.

Tuition


*$250 per credit. Payment option is available. Syllabi Consultancy fees may also apply.

Course Sequence


For the course sequence starting a different semester, learn more here.  Schedules for future academic semesters are projected for planning purposes. Dates are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed upon acceptance.

Benefits

  • Earn your DPT in just one year
  • 100% online and asynchronous solution creates flexibility allowing you to study on your schedule and view your courses on almost any internet connected device
  • Budget-friendly tuition
  • Communicate directly with our expert faculty
  • Contemporary content from nationally-recognized subject matter experts
  • Advanced critical thinking and professional knowledge you can apply immediately in your Physical Therapy role
  • You will be empowered to move your career forward
  • Prepared to become a leader in physical therapy
  • Graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana, an institution accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Requirements

Below are the requirements to be considered for this program. These should be submitted as part of the application process. If you send documents before applying, we may not be able to match them to your file. See the How to Apply section below for more details.

  • Masters in Physical Therapy Degree or Masters of Science in Physical Therapy Degree
  • Copy of Physical Therapy license or proof of practice in your country of residence/practice
  • Proof of residency in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, or Uganda. Residency in a qualifying country must be maintained for the entirety of the program to qualify for the adjusted tuition.
  • Official transcript(s) directly from the university, college, or recognized credentialing body
  • Academic equivalency documentation from Institute of Foreign Credential Services that states your degree is equivalent to US Masters in PT. Select General Analysis, and have the report sent directly to Rehab Essentials.
  • English proficiency results:
    • Qualifying scores for English proficiency exam taken in the last 2 years :
      • Duolingo English Test: 120 or better
      • TOEFL: 92 or better (internet-based test)
      • IELTS: 6.5 or better
    • Applicants whose PT education was conducted in English may request a waiver of the English proficiency requirement. To do this, your university must send a letter confirming that your PT program was taught in English. This letter should be sent directly to Rehab Essentials, as outlined in the How to Apply section below.
For all applicants seeking a US PT license:
We recommend using a foreign/international credentialing agency that accepts electronic documentation transfer (email, upload, etc). This will significantly reduce the time to have your documents evaluated and thus, get you to your goals sooner! All courses taken through this program are graduate level courses. While the tDPT coursework will assist toward the fulfillment of the educational requirements toward US licensure, it does not guarantee a US license. All physical therapists seeking US PT licensure should follow all steps outlined by the FSBPT.

How to Apply

Apply by November 17, 2025 for only $40 (a savings of $45 from the regular fee)!

Applying is easy!  Email info@rehabessentials.com with any questions.

  1. Ensure you have an electronic copy of your physical therapy license and your English proficiency results to upload during during the application process.
  2. Complete the online application and have official transcripts and academic credentialing sent electronically or mailed to the address below:

Rehab Essentials, Inc
ATTN: Admissions Coordinator
1889 Tamarack Lane
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Email: jonathan@rehabessentials.com

 

All required materials must be received via email or postmarked no later than application deadline noted above in Key Dates.  Spots are limited and assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

Apply Now

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Testimonials

I wanted to follow up and say thank you to Rehab Essentials and the University of Montana. I completed my DPT there in 2013 and then a Certificate of Rehabilitation Administration in 2017. All of this additional training that built upon my original bachelor’s degree in PT enabled me to recently obtain an Assistant Professor appointment in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. This is made possible through the partnership between Northwestern and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab where I am currently a Therapy Manager.

If I had not gone on to get my DPT, my qualifications would not have been at the appropriate level to be reviewed for a faculty appointment. I am very thankful to the faculty in the Rehab Essentials program.

The University of Montana (UMT)/ Rehab Essentials tDPT Program has greatly influenced my career as a physical therapist and educator. I selected this program due to the amazing access it provides to the top academicians and clinicians in the profession. The added bonus was the reasonable cost and the ability to receive credit for my preparedness at the post-graduate Master’s level.

The University of Montana (UMT)/ Rehab Essentials tDPT Program is a fantastic education for which I am most grateful!

The experience I had with the tDPT program through The University of Montana exceeded my expectations in all ways. The courses were in a logical manner and were easy to follow. I enjoyed the “learn as you go” format that allowed me to study at my own pace and review material as needed. The CD lectures followed the syllabus and were easy to understand. Most sections had a textbook and/or reading material well defined. There were no surprises once the academic calendar was released if you followed the syllabus.

I enjoyed the ability to confer with my cohort in the discussion board and meet most of them at the Professional conference. The conference was a highlight of my experience as the material discussed was thought provoking and covered a wide range of topics. The faculty for the Professional conference was filled with leaders in the physical therapy field.

My highest recommendation for anyone wishing to further their education in an organized, interesting and thought provoking manner.