Specialisations After Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
If you have an Intermediate with pre-medical and are interested in pursuing a career as a licensed physical therapist, then the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is your gateway. DPT is one of the most sought-after degrees in the health sciences. This blog will help you, as a student exploring specialisations, to decide on yours for better career alignment. A doctor of physical therapy (DPT) is a degree with a wide variety of career growth options. How to attain that potential through specialisations is all discussed in this blog.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at a Glance
Physical therapy is essential for managing body pains and injuries caused by accidents, events, or illnesses. The top 6 reasons why people need a professional physical therapist highlight the importance of a knowledgeable and skilled physical therapist, who is not only learned, but also licensed.
In Pakistan, the simple way of becoming a professional physical therapist is through intermediate and equivalent subjects, leading into the HEC-recognised and accredited DPT programme. In this way, this becomes an undergraduate programme that consists of ten (10) semesters, and takes up approximately five years of your life to become well-learned to sit in the licensure examination.
You can also start practising and working as a licensed doctor of Physical therapy afterwards. The general work locations for a DPT professional in Pakistan are hospitals, rehabilitation centres, Sports and fitness centres (for sports rehabilitation), healthcare administration, management, and research and academia are also some of the prospects.
Scope of Career After the DPT Degree is Completed
As we have outlined above that the work locations for a professional therapist are widely spread. We are going to discuss these in detail with what the work environment looks like, what the potential is to earn, and what you can do once you have gained some experience over the years.
After the successful completion of a DPT degree in Pakistan and with the acquisition of a license, you will be able to work across different settings. These opportunities are basically in three sub-categories.
- Preventive Care
- Patient Care
- Research and Academics
Preventive Care is ideal for the new physical activities and levelled-up trainings, it is also very useful for general pain, and body tweak management to avoid injuries, for a smooth and well-maintained ageing process. The preventive physical therapy practices are also important.
The next line of opportunities is for patients who have any sort of illness or injury that limits their free physical activity. Patients with body aches, pains, limited physical mobility, and chronic condition management are some of the beneficiaries of professional physical therapy.
Last but not least, academia and research bodies are also a major career progression for professional physical therapists. In all these career lines, a professional physical therapist who is also licensed to practice can enter the workplace after a degree in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). However, advanced education and specialisations in your preferred line can multiply career prospects to grow.
Furthermore, if you are interested in exploring the potential abroad, specialisation and a license from your preferred country would be the prerequisites to achieve the goal and legitimacy to practice. This will not only expand your potential to learn and excel in your field but also to earn and get better remuneration for professionally dignified services.
Why is Specialisation Important after a DPT Degree in Pakistan?
Now, let’s explore why specialisation is a worthwhile idea for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) professional. Specialisation is not merely an attempt at resume enhancement. It also enables one to get certain benefits. We have listed some of the benefits in the following.
- Specialisation enhances your grip on the subject matter in the area of your choice.
- You can also approach the special people with certain specialisations and skillsets in physical therapy.
- Increased opportunities for networking and professional recognition.
- You can work with better patient outcome records.
- A professional DPT with any specialisation is often the priority in comparison to a general DPT.
- Specialisation will not only improve your knowledge, but also enhance your clinical hands-on skills would be enhanced.
- You can also pursue the specialisation after the completion of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in countries like the US. However, in Pakistan the advanced education is also available.
- With specialisation, you can earn more in less effort and time constraints as a professional consultant.
Where can you do a Specialisation after a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)?
The options of specialisation after the DPT degree in Pakistan are available in post-graduate education across the universities in Pakistan. In addition, you can also pursue your specialisation in any of the best-known countries abroad. The top 10 types of Physical Therapy specialisation available in the US are also interesting for you to read.
However, there is no issue in choosing specialisation after the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in Pakistan. The reason is the course curriculum of HEC-recognised and regulatory-accredited DPT degree awarding institutions like the University of Central Punjab (UCP) in Lahore.
Our course also taps the tip of prominent areas of specialisations. In the semesters of the DPT degree, you will get a foundational touch on the prospective fields.
These will help you identify the areas of your interest, which can be later followed in MS, MPhil or learning programmes abroad.
Available Options in DPT Specialisation
At the University of Central Punjab (UCP), you will be able to study the following specialised courses as the foundation for later specialisation courses you may undertake.
- Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
- Neurological Physical Therapy
- Pediatric Physical Therapy, and
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
Furthermore, as a professional DPT, you will be able to earn up to PKR 60k in the initial stages, and with some experience, the potential can move up to PKR 150k. Furthermore, abroad, the DPT professionals can earn up to $101,201 per year.
Enrol in UCP for DPT
You can enrol in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at the University of Central Punjab (UCP). The admissions are open for fall 2025. UCP is one of the prestigious private universities of Pakistan in health sciences.
Our online admission portal is open, and you can also visit the campus for application submission. University tests and eligibility criteria both combine to calculate the aggregate for merit calculation.
Final Words
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is your gateway to becoming a licensed professional physical therapist in Pakistan. With this degree, you can also serve abroad. However, the regulatory requirements vary from country to country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Doctor of Physical Therapy DPT
What is the scope of DPT in Pakistan?
Answer: The scope of DPT in Pakistan is promising. However, it is quite competitive. There is a growing awareness of physical therapy’s importance, leading to increased demand in:
- Major Hospitals: Both public (e.g., Shaukat Khanum, Jinnah Hospital, PIMS) and private (e.g., Aga Khan, Shifa International) chains hire professional DPTs.
- Specialised Centres: Sports rehab centres, neurological and orthopaedic clinics.
- Private Practice: Opening your own clinic is a common and potentially lucrative path.
The market in major cities is becoming saturated. To stand out, specialisation, excellent skills, and networking are essential. The real opportunity lies in specialising in niche areas like Women’s Health, Sports, or Neurology.
DPT vs. MBBS: Which is better?
Answer: This isn’t about “better,” but about “fit.”
- Choose MBBS if your passion lies in medicine, surgery, diagnostics, and becoming a physician. It generally has a longer, more intensive training path and higher social prestige in Pakistan.
- Choose DPT if you are passionate about a practical, hands-on approach to healing, focused on rehabilitation, movement, and patient education. It’s a 5-year program with a more focused scope, and you can be your own boss relatively quickly by opening a clinic. Both are respected healthcare professions. DPT offers a better work-life balance and a direct path to entrepreneurship.
Is DPT a doctor’s degree? Can we use the title “Dr.”?
Answer: Yes, DPT is a doctoral-level degree. Academically, you earn the title “Doctor of Physical Therapy.”
- In a Clinical Setting: You can ethically use the prefix “Dr.” before your name when introducing yourself to patients in your clinic or workplace, as you are their treating doctor/therapist.
- Legally/Socially: In Pakistan, the title “Dr.” in a general public context is often reserved for MBBS doctors. Be prepared for some public confusion, but within the healthcare ecosystem, your title is valid and respected.
What is the salary of a DPT in Pakistan?
Answer: Salaries vary widely based on experience, city, and sector.
- House Job/Fresh Graduate: PKR 40,000 – 80,000 per month in hospitals.
- Experienced Therapist (2-5 years): PKR 80,000 – 150,000+ in a hospital or private practice.
- Private Clinic Owner: Income is highly variable and can range from PKR 100,000 to 300,000+ per month, depending on patient load, reputation, and location.
- Government Sector: Salaries are based on the BPS scale (typically BPS-16 or 17 for starters), but offer more job security and benefits.
What are the specialisations after DPT?
Answer: Specialising is key to a successful career. Popular paths in Pakistan include:
- Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (OMT): For joint and muscle pains. High demand.
- Sports Physical Therapy: Work with athletes and sports teams.
- Neurological Physical Therapy: Treating stroke, spinal cord, and Parkinson’s patients.
- Pediatric Physical Therapy: Working with children with disabilities.
- Women’s Health: A highly underserved and growing niche (pelvic floor therapy).
- How to Specialise: Pursue MSPT (Master’s in Physical Therapy) in Pakistan, take certified courses from PPTA or private institutes, or complete international certifications.