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Physical therapy is a health profession involved in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of limited physical activity and injury. The practice is based in movement sciences with a theoretical and scientific base. Physical therapists aid patients from pediatrics to geriatrics in the best methods of restoring an optimum quality of life. Physical therapists practice in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, school systems, pediatric clinics, burn centers, wellness facilities, and in private practice.
Mission Statement
The mission of the USAHS physical therapy program is to graduate doctors of physical therapy who are skilled movement specialists and adaptive leaders. They promote health equity and improve the human experience through communication, interprofessional collaboration, and exceptional clinical reasoning.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the DPT program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to
- 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; and
- display qualities of leadership in physical therapist practice to advance the profession of physical therapy and the well-being of society.
Program Prerequisites
See Admissions, Records, and Registration for prerequisites and application information.
Delivery of Coursework
The DPT program requires 110 credits and is offered as a hybrid immersion program over seven trimesters. More than 50% of the coursework is delivered to the student online through a web-based learning management system that includes graphics, videos, and audio clips. There are opportunities provided for faculty-to-student and student-to-student synchronous and asynchronous interactive collaboration. Assessment of online learning outcomes includes a wide variety of evaluation tools depending on the course outcomes, such as (1) quizzes and exams completed online, (2) graded discussion assignments, (3) case reports, (4) group projects, (5) research papers, and (6) article critiques.
In courses with a lab component, students come together on campus two to three times during a 15-week trimester for three to seven days of immersive lab experiences. The lab sessions provide an avenue for teaching activities not well suited for online delivery, such as the hands-on learning that is vital to physical therapy education; in addition to oral presentations, proctored written examinations, lab practical testing, and socialization activities. Currently, these lab activities are located on the San Marcos, California, and Miami, Florida, campuses.
Standard Occupational Classification codes for which program is intended to prepare graduates: Physical Therapist (29-1123); Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1071)
California PT Licensure
As of the date of publication of the Catalog/Handbook, in order to be eligible for professional licensure as a Physical Therapist in California, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program graduates must hold a degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program. DPT graduates that are applying for licensure in the state of California are required to submit an Application of Examination and/or Licensure and all other required documentation, Certificate of Completion Form (P1E) completed by the registrar, application fee, and passing licensure exam score from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to the Physical Therapy Board of California.
Washington State Residents
The DPT program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in Washington state.
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