Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is a significant step towards becoming a licensed physical therapist. For prospective students researching DPT programs, accreditation and state approvals are crucial factors to consider. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers various Doctor Of Physical Therapy Degree Programs across multiple campuses, all accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the accreditation status and state approvals for USAHS’s DPT programs.
DPT Program Accreditation Status
Accreditation by CAPTE ensures that a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program meets rigorous standards for quality and prepares graduates for competent practice. CAPTE is a nationally recognized accreditation agency for entry-level physical therapist education programs. USAHS proudly holds CAPTE accreditation for its Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Flex programs across its campuses.
Doctor of Physical Therapy – San Marcos Campus
The Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Flex programs at the San Marcos, California, campus are accredited by CAPTE. For detailed information or to contact the program directly, reach out to Dr. Jim Mathews at 760-410-5316 or via email at [email protected]. Graduates of this CAPTE-accredited program are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and subsequently apply for state licensure to practice as a Physical Therapist (PT).
Doctor of Physical Therapy – St. Augustine Campus
Similarly, the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Flex programs at the St. Augustine, Florida campus are also accredited by CAPTE. Contact Dr. Beth Ennis at 904-770-3645 or [email protected] for program-specific inquiries. Accreditation through CAPTE ensures graduates from this campus meet the educational requirements for physical therapy licensure nationwide.
Doctor of Physical Therapy – Miami Campus
The Miami, Florida, campus offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program that is fully accredited by CAPTE. For further details, Dr. Beth Ennis can be contacted at 904-770-3645 or via email at [email protected]. Graduates from the Miami campus’s accredited DPT program are qualified to take the national licensure exam and pursue a career as a physical therapist.
Doctor of Physical Therapy – Austin Campus
The Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy Flex programs at the Austin, Texas, campus hold CAPTE accreditation. For direct program inquiries, please contact Dr. Chris Wise at 737-202-3347 or [email protected]. CAPTE accreditation signifies the program’s adherence to high educational standards, essential for producing competent physical therapy professionals.
Doctor of Physical Therapy – Dallas Campus
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Dallas, Texas, campus is also accredited by CAPTE. For program-related information, contact Dr. Thomas P. Werner at 469-498-5740 or [email protected]. Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program like the one at the Dallas campus is a prerequisite for taking the national licensure examination for physical therapists.
It’s important to note that while the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinical Orthopaedic Residency, and Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship programs at USAHS are valuable post-professional programs, they are not subject to CAPTE accreditation.
A student in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program practices manual therapy techniques, highlighting the hands-on skills developed in accredited programs.
State Approvals for Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs
Beyond accreditation, state approvals are another critical aspect for students considering a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. USAHS ensures its DPT programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. However, state-specific authorizations impact the availability of on-the-ground educational activities in certain locations.
DPT-Curriculum for Students Starting Fall 2024 and Beyond (Residential DPT)
The Residential DPT curriculum at USAHS is designed to meet licensure requirements across all 50 states. USAHS is currently accepting applications for this program from residents of a wide range of states, ensuring broad accessibility to its Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. However, prospective students in states with on-the-ground activity restrictions should note that only the Residential DPT format is available to them due to state authorization limitations. These restrictions are not expected to affect graduates’ licensure eligibility, provided all other state requirements are met.
USAHS is actively seeking authorization in states where it currently lacks approval and encourages prospective students to check for updates regularly. Current and admitted students should also monitor state approval statuses, especially if relocating, as this can affect program enrollment and clinical placement.
USAHS Residential DPT State Approvals-11-12-2024
HI DPT-Curriculum (San Marcos and Miami) – Starting Spring 2025 and Beyond (Hybrid Immersion DPT)
The Hybrid Immersion DPT (HI DPT) program, offered at the San Marcos and Miami campuses, also satisfies educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. This format expands access to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program with a blended learning approach. State approvals for the HI DPT program are in place for numerous states, allowing residents in those locations to apply. Similar to the Residential DPT, some states may have restrictions on on-the-ground activities due to authorization limitations, but licensure eligibility remains unaffected for graduates meeting all other requirements.
HI DPT-website-map-11-12-2024
Flex DPT Curriculum (San Marcos, St. Augustine, and Austin) for Students Starting Fall 2024 and Beyond (Flex DPT)
The Flex DPT program, available at the San Marcos, St. Augustine, and Austin campuses, is also designed to meet licensure requirements across all 50 states. This flexible format provides another accessible pathway to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. State approvals for the Flex DPT program cover a wide range of states, enabling residents in these areas to enroll. As with other formats, some states may have restrictions concerning on-the-ground activities due to state authorization limitations, which do not impact licensure eligibility for graduates who fulfill all other necessary criteria.
USAHS Flex DPT State Approvals-8-7-24
DPT Curriculum for Students That Started in Summer 2024 and Before (Previous Residential DPT) and Flex DPT Curriculum (Previous Flex DPT)
For students who commenced their DPT program before Summer 2024, both the Residential and Flex DPT curricula also satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states. State approvals for these earlier program versions are in place across numerous states, ensuring continued access and licensure eligibility for students in these programs. Similar state authorization limitations regarding on-the-ground activities may apply in certain states, but these do not affect graduates’ ability to obtain licensure if all other state requirements are met.
DPT State Approvals – USAHS-DPT-website-map-6-25-2024
Flex DPT State Approvals – USAHS
It is the student’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state-specific requirements related to clinical education experiences, licensure, certification, or authorization in their state of residence.
Process to File a Complaint with CAPTE
For individuals wishing to file a complaint regarding a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program, CAPTE provides a specific process. Information on how to file a complaint can be found on the CAPTE website: CAPTE Complaint Process.
For additional information about accreditation, you can contact CAPTE directly:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
American Physical Therapy Association
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.capteonline.org
In conclusion, USAHS offers accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy degree programs with broad state approvals, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for licensure and practice across the United States. Prospective students are encouraged to contact USAHS or visit their website for the most up-to-date information and to explore which Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program format best aligns with their needs and location.
