Briona Daugherty’s (MS-SLP ’22) speech-language pathology (SLP) path began on board a cruise ship. Daugherty graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in theatrical performance. She studied opera and musical theater, originally wanting to be a touring singer for Broadway-style shows. After spending time as a professional singer in Las Vegas and New York City, she began a career performing on cruise ships, including five years in China, Japan, Korea and Thailand. The longer she worked on cruise ships, the more she aided other vocalists in adjusting to life onboard. This included helping entertainment employees maintain their voices for more than two hours a night in a 2,000-seat theater. After witnessing Read more
Doctor of Physical Therapy School in California
Pursue your passion by enrolling in a physical therapy graduate program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in California.
Discover Career Success in California
In USAHS’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program in San Marcos, California, you’ll develop essential skills to help patients recover their mobility, manage their pain, and improve their quality of life. You’ll discover diverse treatments for assisting a wide array of injuries and conditions while furthering your theoretical knowledge and patient communication skills. The USAHS Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree will help you prepare for your dream PT career after graduation.
As one of the leading physical therapy graduate schools in California, USAHS is known for its expert staff, cutting-edge technology, and expansive resources available to every DPT student on our San Marcos campus. Eager to begin your clinical practice and start making a difference in your clients’ lives? This accredited program will teach you the real-world skills you need to launch a meaningful career.
Residential vs. Flex Learning in California
Residential: Dive into a Fast-Paced Learning Environment
There’s never been a better time to jump headfirst into your physical therapy education. Through USAHS’ Residential format, you’ll have the chance to put your full effort toward earning a doctoral degree. You’ll engage in blended didactic coursework, in-person labs, and three trimesters of clinical experience. Residential students can look forward to a supportive academic environment, hands-on training, and opportunities for extended mentorship with our highly trained and experienced faculty. In less than three years,* you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to pursue licensure and begin your career at the top of your game.
Flex: Earn Your Credentials on Your Time
If you’ve been exploring California physical therapy schools but are finding their class structure impractical for your lifestyle, consider our Flex DPT format. Earn your degree on your time with online coursework, plus in-person labs held on select weekends each month. Don’t let personal and professional obligations stand in the way of launching your dream career. The Flex DPT provides the same world-class academic resources, the same clinical education opportunities, and the same graduate credentials as our Residential DPT for students seeking a different way to learn.
Explore the Golden State While Earning Your PT Degree
Ready to begin your doctorate in physical therapy? California is a great place to launch your career. Its residents are active and health conscious. And in this economic powerhouse of a state, you’ll have access to extensive networks of healthcare facilities and private clinics to ease your transition from student to practitioner.
San Marcos: Start Your West Coast Adventure
Sunny San Marcos is known for its natural beauty, world-class hospitals, and welcoming community. Whether you’re into swimming, surfing, or shopping, you’ll find plenty of options for leisure. And San Marcos is just a half hour from the big-city buzz and culture of San Diego. Of course, you’ll also be studying at one of USAHS’ premier campuses. Designed with our student-first philosophy, the campus features inclusive learning facilities, high-tech simulation labs, and state-of-the-art EdTech tools. If you’re ready for one of the best Doctor of Physical Therapy programs California has to offer, set your sights on San Marcos.
DPT Admissions Requirements
Requirements for admission into USAHS’ graduate OT programs include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, either completed or in progress
- An official GRE score report from within the past five years
- A current resume
- A statement of purpose outlining why you wish to pursue a career in physical therapy, and specifically, a doctoral degree at USAHS
- Prerequisite courses in health and social sciences, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Two references, at least one from a licensed physical therapist
- 80 volunteer, work, or observation hours in a clinical setting
- A comprehensive background check and drug screening
And applying just got easier: The GRE requirement is now suspended for all OT graduate degree programs!
DPT California Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program (both Residential and Flex formats) on USAHS’ San Marcos campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Upon completion of the degree, graduates are eligible to take the national licensing examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Although students are responsible for meeting the field education and certification requirements of the states they wish to practice in, USAHS’ DPT program prepares students for licensure in all 50 states.
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.
