Academic Degree Equivalency vs. PT Licensure Equivalency: What's the Difference?
If you earned your physical therapy degree outside the United States, you may need your education evaluated for different purposes.
Two common types of evaluation are academic degree equivalency and professional educational equivalency for physical therapy licensure.
Although both involve reviewing your international education, they answer different questions.
An academic degree equivalency evaluation determines how your completed international degree compares with degrees awarded by U.S. universities.
A professional educational equivalency evaluation determines whether your physical therapy education meets the educational requirements used for U.S. physical therapy licensure.
These evaluations are not interchangeable. Meeting U.S. physical therapy educational standards for licensure does not automatically establish that you hold the academic equivalent of a U.S. master's or doctoral degree.
Understanding this distinction is especially important if you are considering a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
What Is Academic Degree Equivalency?
Academic degree equivalency is a determination of how a completed international academic qualification compares with a degree awarded within the United States.
For example, an academic evaluation may determine that your completed international education is equivalent to:
- A U.S. bachelor's degree
- A U.S. master's degree
- Another recognized level of academic education
An evaluator may consider the educational institution, completed degree, program length, academic credits, and the educational system in which the qualification was awarded.
Academic equivalency is important when applying to universities because graduate programs may require applicants to hold a particular level of completed education.
For example, a university program requiring a master's degree may need confirmation that an applicant's international degree is academically equivalent to a qualifying U.S. master's degree.
The name of a degree alone does not automatically establish its U.S. academic equivalency.
What Is Professional Educational Equivalency for PT Licensure?
Professional educational equivalency evaluates whether an internationally educated physical therapist's academic and clinical preparation meets applicable U.S. physical therapy educational standards.
These evaluations frequently use the Coursework Tools (CWT) developed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Organizations such as the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), International Education Research Foundation (IERF), and International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) provide physical therapy educational credential evaluations.
Depending on the evaluation requirements, the review may consider:
- General education coursework
- Professional physical therapy coursework
- Required educational topics
- Academic credit requirements
- Supervised clinical education
The evaluator may identify educational deficiencies that need to be addressed before the applicant satisfies the applicable educational requirements.
However, satisfying professional educational equivalency requirements does not mean the applicant has earned, or is academically equivalent to holding, a U.S. DPT degree.
The evaluation establishes whether the educational criteria being assessed have been met. It does not award an academic degree.
How Are Academic Degree Equivalency and PT Licensure Equivalency Different?
| Academic Degree Equivalency | Professional PT Educational Equivalency | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Determine the U.S. academic level of a completed foreign degree | Compare physical therapy education with applicable U.S. professional educational standards |
| Common use | University admission and academic qualification verification | Physical therapy licensure and certain credentialing processes |
| Main question | What U.S. academic degree level is this qualification equivalent to? | Does the applicant's education satisfy the applicable PT educational requirements? |
| Review focus | Completed academic qualification and its recognized degree level | Professional topics, academic credits, general education, and clinical education |
| Typical outcome | Academic equivalency determination | Educational equivalency findings or identified deficiencies |
| Grants a U.S. DPT degree? | No | No |
| Automatically establishes the other type of equivalency? | No | No |
Some credential evaluation organizations offer both types of services. However, applicants must request the appropriate evaluation for their intended purpose.
Can I Meet U.S. PT Licensure Educational Requirements Without Having a U.S.-Equivalent Master's Degree?
Yes.
A physical therapist may satisfy the applicable professional educational requirements for U.S. licensure without holding an academic degree considered equivalent to a U.S. master's degree.
For example, suppose an internationally educated physical therapist completed a bachelor's-level physical therapy program.
After reviewing the applicant's education, a credentialing organization may determine that the education meets the applicable professional educational standards, either initially or following completion of additional coursework.
That finding does not automatically change the academic classification of the individual's completed bachelor's degree to a master's degree.
Similarly, an individual with an international master's degree may still have deficiencies under a CWT evaluation.
Academic degree level and professional educational equivalency are separate considerations.
Why Does Academic Degree Equivalency Matter for a Post-Professional DPT?
The University of Montana offers post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy programs for eligible physical therapists seeking to advance their education.
Two primary pathways are available.
Bachelor's-to-DPT Pathway
The 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT pathway is designed for eligible physical therapists with bachelor's-level academic preparation.
Applicants must satisfy the University's admission requirements, including verification of their completed education.
Master's-to-DPT Pathway
The 20-credit master's-to-DPT pathway is designed for eligible physical therapists with a qualifying master's-level degree in physical therapy or an academically equivalent completed qualification.
For internationally educated applicants, having completed advanced coursework or receiving a favorable professional licensure evaluation does not automatically establish eligibility for this pathway.
The University must be able to establish that the applicant meets the master's-level academic admission requirement.
If an applicant does not meet that requirement, the 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT pathway may be the appropriate alternative, provided the individual meets its admission requirements.
Example: A Physical Therapist With a Bachelor's Degree and a Successful CWT Evaluation
Consider an internationally educated physical therapist who completed a bachelor's degree in physical therapy in their home country.
The individual subsequently receives a professional credential evaluation indicating that their education satisfies the applicable requirements for U.S. physical therapy educational equivalency.
The applicant now wishes to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Because their professional educational equivalency requirements have been satisfied, they may assume that they qualify for the 20-credit master's-to-DPT pathway.
However, that assumption would be incorrect.
The CWT evaluation does not establish that the applicant has completed a master's-level academic degree.
The University of Montana would separately determine whether the individual's completed academic qualifications satisfy its admission requirements.
If the applicant's highest qualifying academic degree is at the bachelor's level, the 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT pathway may be appropriate.
This example illustrates why professional educational equivalency and academic degree equivalency should not be confused.
Example: A Physical Therapist With an International Master's Degree
Now consider an internationally educated physical therapist who completed a bachelor's degree in physical therapy followed by a master's degree in a related discipline.
The individual may reasonably wonder whether the master's qualification makes them eligible for the University of Montana's 20-credit master's-to-DPT pathway.
However, the program requires a qualifying master's-level degree in physical therapy or an accepted academic equivalent.
A master's degree in another subject, such as healthcare administration or public health, does not automatically satisfy that requirement.
Likewise, a degree titled Master of Physiotherapy must be evaluated in the context of its actual academic equivalency and the University's admission criteria.
The relevant question is not simply whether the applicant holds a degree with the word "master" in its title. It is whether the completed qualification satisfies the University's specific master's-level physical therapy admission requirements.
Can I Use My FCCPT Evaluation for University Admission?
A completed FCCPT evaluation may provide useful information about your physical therapy education.
However, an FCCPT evaluation completed for professional licensure is not a substitute for an academic degree equivalency determination.
The University of Montana may require separate documentation establishing the academic level of your completed international degree.
Applicants should verify the University's current documentation requirements before purchasing an additional evaluation.
The University of Montana's published international program information identifies academic equivalency documentation through the Institute of Foreign Credential Services (IFCS) for relevant international admissions pathways. An academic equivalency report is relatively inexpensive and typically takes about two weeks.
Because accepted documentation requirements may change, students should confirm the current requirements through the University's admissions process.
Do I Need to Purchase a New Academic Equivalency Evaluation?
Not necessarily.
Before purchasing an additional credential evaluation, determine whether you already possess acceptable academic equivalency documentation.
Some applicants may have completed an academic equivalency evaluation previously for university admission, employment, or another educational purpose.
However, the University must determine whether that documentation satisfies its current admissions requirements.
A professional licensure credential evaluation alone should not be assumed to satisfy an academic equivalency requirement.
If you are unsure whether your existing documents are acceptable, contact the University of Montana's enrollment team for guidance before ordering another service.
Can I Start a Post-Professional DPT While My CWT Evaluation Is Still in Progress?
Yes, provided you meet the University's academic admission requirements.
Academic admission to a post-professional DPT program and professional credential evaluation for U.S. licensure are separate processes.
An internationally educated physical therapist whose long-term goal is to earn a DPT may be able to begin the degree while their professional credential evaluation is underway.
This may be particularly useful because professional credential evaluations can take several months to complete.
For example, a student admitted to the University's accelerated bachelor's-to-DPT program may begin completing doctoral coursework while waiting for their CWT evaluation.
Once the evaluation is received, the student can compare any identified deficiencies with coursework already completed and coursework remaining in the degree program.
If an evaluator accepts completed DPT coursework as satisfying a particular deficiency, the student may not need to repeat that coursework.
However, beginning a DPT before receiving the evaluation involves some uncertainty. Not every course within the degree curriculum will necessarily address an eventual CWT deficiency.
Students whose only goal is to satisfy the minimum education required for licensure may prefer to complete their credential evaluation before selecting additional courses.
For more information, read ourGuide to Individual Courses vs. a Post-Professional DPT.
Does Earning a Post-Professional DPT Automatically Establish U.S. Licensure Eligibility?
No.
Earning a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree does not automatically establish eligibility for U.S. physical therapy licensure.
The post-professional DPT is an educational advancement program intended for individuals with prior physical therapy education.
Students seeking U.S. licensure must separately satisfy the requirements of their intended state licensing authority.
Although eligible coursework completed through a post-professional DPT program may contribute toward identified educational deficiencies, the credential evaluator determines whether the coursework meets the applicable requirements.
Other licensure requirements may also apply, including examination, English-language proficiency, and additional state-specific conditions.
How Can the Strelis PT License Deficiency Navigator Help?
The Navigator provides a free educational planning service focused on University of Montana coursework.
If you already have a professional credential evaluation identifying academic deficiencies, the Navigator can help you explore courses that may address those deficiencies.
Our service can help identify:
- University of Montana coursework potentially relevant to missing professional education topics
- Courses that may address multiple identified deficiencies
- Coursework that may contribute toward academic credit shortages
- Opportunities to compare individual courses with the post-professional DPT pathways
However, the Navigator does not perform official academic degree equivalency evaluations or determine eligibility for University admission.
An enrollment coach can help prospective students understand the available DPT pathways and the documentation required to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an FCCPT evaluation the same as an academic degree equivalency evaluation?
No. An FCCPT evaluation for physical therapy licensure assesses educational preparation against applicable professional standards. An academic degree equivalency evaluation determines how a completed international academic qualification compares with U.S. academic degrees.
If I pass my CWT evaluation, does that mean I have the equivalent of a U.S. DPT?
No. Meeting applicable CWT educational standards does not mean you have earned a U.S. Doctor of Physical Therapy degree or that your completed academic degree is equivalent to a U.S. doctorate.
Does a master's degree from another country automatically qualify me for the 20-credit DPT program?
No. Your completed degree must satisfy the University's academic requirements for a qualifying master's-level degree in physical therapy or an accepted equivalent.
What if my master's degree is in a field other than physical therapy?
A master's degree in another discipline does not automatically satisfy the master's-level PT admission requirement. Eligibility is determined through the University's admissions process.
Can I use my existing credential evaluation for both licensure and university admission?
Not automatically. The University may require separate academic equivalency documentation even when you have completed a professional licensure evaluation.
Can I enroll in the 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT program if I am not eligible for the 20-credit master's-to-DPT program?
Possibly. Applicants who do not meet the master's-level admission requirement may be eligible for the bachelor's-to-DPT pathway if they satisfy the applicable University admissions requirements.
Does completing additional graduate-level courses change my original bachelor's degree into a master's degree?
No. Completing additional graduate-level coursework does not automatically change the academic classification of a previously awarded degree. A new academic qualification must be formally awarded under the requirements of the issuing institution.
Can I start my DPT before completing my FCCPT evaluation?
Yes, provided you independently satisfy the University's academic admission requirements. A student may pursue the degree while their professional credential evaluation is underway.
Can the Navigator determine whether my international degree is equivalent to a U.S. master's degree?
No. the Navigator provides educational deficiency planning assistance and does not issue official academic degree equivalency determinations.
Questions About Your Academic Equivalency or DPT Eligibility?
Not sure whether your completed international degree makes you eligible for the University of Montana's 20-credit master's-to-DPT or 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT program?
Our enrollment team can help you understand the academic documentation required and which program pathway may be appropriate.
Before purchasing another credential evaluation, confirm whether your existing documentation is acceptable for admission.
Explore University of Montana Post-Professional DPT Programs
Get Your Free CWT Educational Deficiency Plan
If you already have a professional credential evaluation identifying missing physical therapy coursework or academic credit requirements, the Navigator can help you explore relevant University of Montana courses.
Our free planning service focuses on identifying potential educational pathways while reducing unnecessary duplication of coursework.
Get My Free Educational Deficiency Plan
the Navigator provides educational planning assistance. It does not issue official credential evaluations, determine academic degree equivalency, make admissions decisions, grant course pre-approvals, or guarantee U.S. physical therapy licensure.