Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
State Licensure
The university holds a license/authorization to operate a physical campus in three states, California, Florida and Texas.
California State Approval
The University’s approval to operate as a private postsecondary institution in the State of California is based on provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (California Education Code, Title 3, Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 8), which became effective January 1, 2010.
The Bureau for Private, Postsecondary Education approves the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ San Marcos, California, campus. Approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in the Ed. Code. Information regarding the San Marcos programs or any questions a student may have regarding the catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private, Postsecondary Education, 1747 North Market, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834; telephone: 916-574-8900 or toll-free at 888-370-7589, or by fax at 916-263-1897 or www.bppe.ca.gov. A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about the University with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
This approval in California includes the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), the Flex Master of Occupational Therapy (Flex MOT), the Flex Doctor of Physical Therapy (Flex DPT), the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT), the Flex Doctor of Occupational Therapy (Flex OTD), Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD), Master of Health Science (MHS), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Education (EdD), Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP), Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degrees and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates.
As part of the university’s approval process, a performance fact sheet and annual report for the California campus is completed each year.
To view the most recent annual report filed with the Bureau for Private, Postsecondary Education download the BPPE Annual Report.
To view the most recent performance fact sheet filed with the Bureau for Private, Postsecondary Education download USAHS Performance Fact Sheet.
Florida State Licensure
The Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida, licenses the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to offer its degree programs in Florida. Additional information regarding the University may be obtained by contacting the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399, toll free number 888-224-6684.
This licensure for the St. Augustine, Florida, campus includes the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT), Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD), the Master of Health Science (MHS), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degrees and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates. Continuing education courses are not under the purview of the CIE.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ Miami, Florida, campus includes the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees.
Texas State Authorization
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted a Certificate of Authorization to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Flex Doctor of Physical Therapy (Flex DPT), Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Flex Master of Occupational Therrapy (MOT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs on the Austin, Texas, campus and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Flex Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) on the Dallas, Texas, campus. The University has been granted an exemption as a private institution from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Other Licenses & Agency Recognition
The university is also licensed or otherwise recognized by the following agencies:
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is licensed by the Private School Licensure Division of the Alabama Community College System and has an exemption with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has been granted a license by the District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission, 1050 First Street, NE, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20002, (202) 481-3951 to offer the following online degree programs in the District of Columbia: Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of the Health Sciences (MHS), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (PG Cert-FNP), Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Post Professional (OTD), Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) and Doctor of Education (EdD).
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is authorized under the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990 by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
This institution is authorized by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education, 101 W. Ohio St., Suite 670, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is registered with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612-1368; 785-430-4240.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is currently licensed by the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana. Licenses are renewed by the State Board of Regents every two years. Licensed institutions have met minimal operational standards set forth by the state, but licensure does not constitute accreditation, guarantee the transferability of credit, nor signify that programs are certifiable by any professional agency or organization.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission to offer online education. For student complaints please contact the Maryland Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-528-8662/888-743-0823 (toll free).
Students who are residents of Maryland: please review the required Maryland disclosures.
Students who are residents of Massachusetts: please review the required Massachusetts disclosure.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions. Contact the Office at Minnesota Office of Higher Education, 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108-5227, www.ohe.state.mn.us, 651-642-0567.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to offer field placement components for specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at PO Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at [email protected].
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has been issued authorizations, exemptions and no further action required notices for many states. Please contact us for a complete list.
