Doctor of Physical Therapy
Degree Type
Master of Arts in Teachings
Resources
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College
College of Health
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Doctor of Physical Therapy
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at OSU-Cascades prepares future physical therapists through hands-on learning, early clinical experience and close mentorship from expert clinicians and researchers. In small, fully in-person classes, students build practical skills in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs before applying their knowledge in healthcare settings across Central Oregon and beyond.
Located in Bend, Oregon, the program is deeply connected to a vibrant physical therapy and outdoor wellness community, creating opportunities for meaningful clinical experience, community engagement and professional growth. Rooted in research, compassionate care and community impact, the OSU-Cascades DPT program prepares clinician-scientists to help people move better, feel better and thrive.
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Learn about our pre-DPT pathway through our kinesiology program.
Proven NPTE Excellence
93% average first‑time pass rate for the 2024 and 2025 cohorts.
Early Clinical Experience
Work directly with patients starting in year one.
Top Research University
Oregon’s only DPT program at a Tier 1 research university.
Program Details
The program is housed in a brand-new academic building with classrooms and laboratories custom-made for the program.
Once you complete this program, discover all the learning outcomes you'll achieve.
Using the following course forecast information students will plan ahead and work with their advisor to create and update academic plans.
Jordon Zardinejad | Director of Operations & Recruitment, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
541-322-3118 | jordon.zardinejad@osucascades.edu
Open Houses
Learn more about earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Virtual open house event on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Courses
What types of classes will I attend?
- Professionalism and Cultural Competence
- Basics of Patient Management
- Foundations of Clinical Biomechanics
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- Evidence Based Practice and Research Methods
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- Neuroanatomy for the Physical Therapist
- Clinical Biomechanics
- Principles of Disease
- Clinical Physiology for the Physical Therapist
- Motor Development for the Physical Therapist
- Orthopedics
- Management of Neurological Dysfunction
- Physical Therapy in Rural Communities
- Community Engaged Physical Therapy
What's our edge?
- Learn from expert clinicians and researchers in the field
- Cutting-edge classrooms and labs
- 100% in-person program
- Small classes
- Bend, Oregon is home to a vibrant physical therapy community
- Public school tuition
- Pre-DPT pathway through our kinesiology program
State-of-the art lab
Cutting-edge research to prevent and treat injuries
The FORCE Lab, the Functional Orthopedic Research Center of Excellence at OSU-Cascades, brings together experts in biomechanics and state-of-the-art technologies to identify risk factors, prevent orthopedic injuries and develop better treatment strategies.
Students in the kinesiology and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs work alongside faculty researchers and industry collaborators to study how people move, optimize musculoskeletal function and performance, and promote the well-being of elite and recreational athletes, seniors and everyone who wants to be active.
Our program director
Dr. Alexadra Borstad joined the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at OSU-Cascades in 2024 where she is a Clinical Professor and serves as the program director. Specializing in care for people with neurologic dysfunction, Borstad was a clinician for fifteen years before earning her Masters degree and then Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 2012. She completed post-doctoral training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Ohio State and joined the DPT Program faculty at The Ohio State University in 2013. In 2016, Borstad joined the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota where in addition to teaching in Neurologic and Research portions of the curriculum she served as the program Research Coordinator.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at OSU-Cascades is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: https://www.capteonline.org/. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 541-322-3118 or email dpt@osucascades.edu.
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We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.