PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy

PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy


Tuition, Burnout, and Board Failures: Inside the DPT Crisis

January 05, 2026

Dr. Steve Karas — PT, educator, researcher, and data-driven advocate for change in DPT education.


In this episode:

  • Why tuition has skyrocketed — but outcomes haven’t
  • The quiet epidemic of PT school dropouts
  • How pass rate declines may signal deeper systemic cracks
  • Are hybrid programs innovating… or racing to the bottom?
  • What faculty, admissions teams, and CAPTE need to re-evaluate now


Steve’s message is clear:

Stop setting students up to survive school. Start setting them up to succeed in life.


Sponsor Shoutouts

  • ????️ Pre-Roll: U.S. Physical Therapy — Career growth without burnout: usph.com
  • ???? Mid-Roll: Empower EMR — Time-saving documentation that works for you: empoweremr.com
  • ???? Pre-Parting Shot: Brooks IHL — Turn clinicians into leaders: brooksihl.org