Doctor of Physical Therapy

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Doctor of Physical Therapy

Degree Type
Doctor of Physical Therapy
College
College of Health

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at OSU-Cascades will prepare you for a rewarding career as a physical therapist. You'll study at a top research university in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, and then apply what you learn in the world-class physical therapy clinics throughout the state and across the United States. Above all — you'll help people of all ages move more easily and lead better lives.

 

Program Information

The program is housed in a brand-new academic building with classrooms and laboratories custom-made for the program.

    

Top Research University

The Only DPT Program in Oregon at a Tier 1 Research University

   

In-Person Program

Where Hands-On Means Hands-On

   

Learn in Bend

Home to World-Class Athletes and Clinicians
Learn more about Bend

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

Our founding director

Christine Pollard is the director of the doctor of physical therapy program and senior associate dean at OSU-Cascades. She founded the undergraduate kinesiology degree program at OSU-Cascades in 2011 and the FORCE biomechanics lab in 2013. Prior to joining OSU-Cascades she taught at the University of Southern California’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program and California State University Long Beach’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Contact Us

Jordon Zardinejad | Academic Program Coordinator, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
541-322-3118 | jordon.zardinejad@osucascades.edu

Send Me Info

 

Accreditation

Effective July 13, 2021, Oregon State University - Cascades has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 541-322-3118 or email DPT@osucascades.edu

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation. 

CAPTE Timing and the Licensing Exam.

The DPT program will be evaluated for full-accreditation status in the third year of the first cohort (2023/2024).  Accreditation is anticipated to be received the spring of 2024 prior to graduation of the first cohort which will be June 2024.  Based on Rule 7.2 (see below), graduates of the first cohort will be able to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) as early as July 2024. 

 

New Rule: 7.2 Definition of Candidate for Accreditation

Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status, awarded prior to enrollment of students in the technical (PTA programs) or professional (PT programs) phase of the program, which indicates that the physical therapy education program is progressing toward accreditation. All credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program.