Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physical Therapy is a profession involved in prevention, evaluation and treatment of physical dysfunction and injury. The practice is based in movement sciences. Physical therapists aid patients from pediatrics to geriatrics in the best methods of restoring an optimum quality of life.
The mission of the University’s DPT program is to graduate proficient and caring physical therapists who are prepared to work collaboratively in interprofessional settings to guide the patient/client to achieve optimal movement.
We bring the experts to you!
Our unique learning model combines state-of-the-art facilities, career-centered learning technologies, online teaching and learning best practices, and the expertise of USAHS faculty members who are practitioners as well as exceptional educators from across the country.
Hear why some of our students and faculty chose the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program:
Choose Your Path
We offer our students two different paths to earn their DPT degree. Choose the one that’s right for you.
| Residential DPT | Flex DPT |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | Online/Alternating Weekends |
| 131 credit hours over 8 trimesters | 131 credit hours over 12 trimesters |
| Sept,* Jan, & May start dates | Sept, Jan, & May* start dates |
| 2.7 years | 4 years |
| Degree earned: DPT | Degree earned: DPT |
| *Single term start (Sept) in Dallas, TX only | *May term start in Austin, TX only |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, graduates will be able to demonstrate:
- Engage in personal and professional development and lifelong learning activities.
- Practice physical therapy in a manner that supports cooperative relationships with patients/clients, other health care providers, and the community.
- Perform critical thinking and evidence-informed physical therapist practice based on foundational knowledge and professional clinical skills.
- Implement effective communication and principles of ethical and professional behavior in physical therapist practice.
- Display qualities of leadership in physical therapist practice to advance the profession of physical therapy and the well-being of society.
Why Physical Therapy?
There are myriad reasons to choose Physical Therapy as your career. Our students are passionate about helping others and find working with patients to be very rewarding. Others enjoy the geographic flexibility and job stability that a Physical Therapy career can provide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for physical therapists will increase by 22% between the years of 2018-2028, which is much faster than average for all occupations.[1] To learn more about a career in physical therapy, join one of our online academic information sessions.
Why USAHS?
Our pioneering efforts in Physical Therapy education have established an environment of excellence in our DPT programs. We strive to offer the highest quality classroom instruction and online courses while taking pride in making the entire educational experience accessible and interactive for students.
Most of our expert faculty are still practicing clinicians ensuring that your education with be relevant and up-to-date with the latest research and methods in the ever-improving physical therapy industry. You will learn and work with other healthcare students, such as occupational therapist candidates, just as you would in a clinical setting. And our student-centered environment ensures that you’ll get personal attention and individualized assistance throughout the program. Learn from a University that specializes in the Health Sciences and excellence in graduate education.
Dallas, TX DPT Candidacy Program Launching Fall 2020
Effective April 28, 2020, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Jackie Crossen-Sills at 904-770-3556 or email jcrossensills@usa.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation.
For accreditation information regarding our accredited DPT programs, visit DPT Accreditation.
Physical Therapy Online Courses for Foreign-Trained Physical/Physio-Therapists and Non-Degree Seeking Students
If you earned your physical therapy degree and license to practice in a location outside the United States, USAHS offers a comprehensive catalog of courses focused on competencies often required by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT). These courses are designed specifically to meet the needs of non-degree-seeking students, particularly foreign-trained physical therapists. Go to the section for foreign-trained physical therapists to learn more.
[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapists,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited April 26, 2020).
