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 blended 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 |
|---|---|
| Primarily Weekdays | Online/Select Weekends for labs |
| Blended didactic courses and face-to-face labs | Blended didactic courses and face-to-face labs |
| 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 | *Two start dates per year, varies by campus |
** The program is designed to be completed in this amount of time; however, the time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program, graduates will be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:
- Engage in personal and professional development and lifelong learning activities.
- Practice physical therapy in a manner that supports cooperative relationships with patients/clients, other healthcare 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 18% between the years of 2019-2029, 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 will be relevant and up-to-date with the latest research and methods in the ever-improving physical therapy profession. 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 aciences and excellence in graduate education.
Dallas, TX DPT Candidacy Program
Effective April 28, 2020, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Dallas, Texas campus 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: [email protected]). If needing to contact the program/institution directly specifically about accreditation, please call or email Dr. Jackie Crossen-Sills at at 904-770-3556 x1256 or [email protected]. All application-related questions need to be directed to [email protected].
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
For accreditation information regarding our accredited DPT programs, visit DPT Accreditation.
[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 (Accessed April 26, 2020).
