Breaking Barriers: The New PTA to DPT Bridge Program at New England Tech

What if becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy as a PTA didn’t mean starting over?On this episode of PTA+, Katie Sutton chats with Erin Faraclas, Program Director at New England Tech, about their PTA → DPT Bridge Program — designed specifically for working PTAs who want to advance their careers.We cover:✅ The difference between bridge and traditional DPT programs✅ Why hybrid education (synchronous + asynchronous) works for busy PTAs✅ How workforce shortages are shaping PT education✅ Who this program is best suited for✅ Why PTAs should ask the right questions before making the leapChapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why PTAs are asking about the DPT path 01:28 – Meet Erin Forekleas, Program Director at New England Tech 02:57 – What makes the PTA → DPT Bridge program unique 06:24 – The PTA identity: Why some don’t pursue the DPT (and why some do) 14:03 – Breaking down career pathways for PTAs 17:29 – The bachelor’s degree advantage 26:58 – Addressing workforce shortages in physical therapy 30:30 – 27-month timeline explained 33:10 – Why hybrid learning works for working PTAs 41:37 – “Second chances” and exploring new specialties 44:25 – Hybrid learning: synchronous vs asynchronous 49:06 – Curriculum breakdown for PTA → DPT students 53:00 – Addressing concerns about new programs 58:07 – Final advice: Ask the right questions, find the right fit 01:04:23 – Closing thoughts: Just hit the start button