Speak with an admissions advisor. 562-475-4604
8 TERMS | 2 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS, FULL-TIME
SPRING: JANUARY 8TH, 2024 – PTCAS APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW
FALL: SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2024 – PTCAS APPLICATIONS OPEN JUNE ’23
Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will be agents of excellence who are able to provide patient/client-centered care and thrive in a curriculum guided by a clinical framework for learning, integration of knowledge for practice with patient care skills, wellness, and evidence-based care, delivered in an environment focused on equity and imbued with kindness.
SCU offers a unique blend of online interactive and on-ground learning. All lecture content will be delivered online, and all lab skills will be delivered on-ground weekly, meaning students only need to come to campus two days a week.
SCU’s model of experiential learning in interprofessional settings combines learning alongside other healthcare disciplines, coursework, clinical experiences, community engagement, and campus clubs to expose students to a variety of philosophies, practices and treatment options; help students develop a broad base of knowledge; and prepare future healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of integrative, evidence and team-based, whole-person healthcare.
Education at SCU is supplemented by advanced anatomical teaching tools. All learning technologies are available on site, and many are also accessible at home. SCU offers convenient access to anatomy educational materials outside of normal classroom hours. Advanced learning technologies include:
Our practitioner faculty bring timely experience to the classroom every day, supplementing their lectures with practical advice. Discover real-world insights from faculty who currently practice physical therapy, and who are deeply connected to the field beyond a theoretical and academic perspective. At the intersection of two worlds, our practitioner faculty help guide your first steps into the world of physical therapy practice, paving the way for a more gentle and gradual transition from student to professional.
Cadaver-based anatomy is a classic teaching method that offers invaluable lessons and insight into the shape, feel, and function of the body. During this unique experience for future physical therapists, students express reverence and awe as they approach the body to make their first cut in real tissues and structures. The cadaver lab offers unparalleled insight into anatomical variation, structure, and function to help you become an outstanding provider.
Students are involved in skills content from the first day. With skills content closely following basic knowledge content, students will be better able to master skills by applying learning in a clinical experience.
Students train at a modern health center with an enriched teaching environment. The SCU Health System provides care to over 45,000 patients per year. The University Heath Center is equipped with an expansive herbal pharmacy, diagnostic imaging, and an electronic health record system. Located on-campus in Whittier, it has 36 private treatment rooms and 1,000 square feet dedicated to active care space. Interact with other health professions and disciplines and learn how to co-manage patients in an integrated setting within an interdisciplinary team environment.
Graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)1 and the California jurisprudence (law) exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC). The curriculum is mapped to the licensure exam and embeds exam prep questions throughout courses to prepare students for NPTE success, which is necessary for clinical practice as a physical therapist. All states require a jurisprudence (law) exam and students opting to practice in other states will need to determine those state requirements.
Expected growth between 2018 and 20282
U.S. News & World Report Best Health Care Jobs3
Median annual wage for physical therapists in California4
1 Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Southern California University of Health Sciences is seeking accreditation for a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on June 1, 2023. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
2 Based on O*Net 2018-2028, Physical Therapists in California
3 https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/physical-therapist
Welcome to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program!
Thank you for your interest in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This DPT program takes a modern approach to teaching and learning in physical therapy. Our cutting-edge Clinical Framework for learning brings the goal of educating DPTs back to clinical expertise and guides learners toward that goal from day one. The Clinical Framework describes tasks that DPTs regularly perform in the clinic. Each course will be aligned to one or more clinical tasks from the Clinical Framework to help you know exactly why you are learning coursework and make learning relevant and easier. Developing task expertise is the goal, while knowledge is used to make that happen.
Our mission is to develop competent, caring, professional Doctors of Physical Therapy, able to thrive as integrative healthcare team members within a learning environment focused on inclusion and imbued with kindness, integrity, and determination. This means whole person, integrative health, from a DPT movement system perspective, and we aim to accomplish this in a learning environment in which you thrive.
Just like SCU has the vision to transform and redefine health and healthcare education, we have the vision to transform DPT education. Do you want to be a physical therapist? We have the clinical focus you need to be successful, and we want you.
We look forward to welcoming you to our DPT program!
Professor and Program Director
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Jacklyn H Brechter, PT, DPT, PhD
Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Core Faculty
Physical Therapy (PT) programs are accredited by a body called “CAPTE” or Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. To sit for a licensing exam and become a licensed physical therapist, students must have graduated from an accredited institution. New programs like SCU follow a two-step process that involves candidacy and accreditation.
All new programs seeking accreditation follow a process to demonstrate compliance with CAPTE’s established standards and required elements. During this pre-candidacy stage, a program may begin accepting student applications. As the program continues to develop at a certain stage, CAPTE examines the progress, visits the site to make sure the program has resources, and, upon ensuring established guidelines are met, grants “Candidate for Accreditation” status. Once candidacy is granted, the program may enroll students and implement the program. All graduates under the Candidacy status are qualified to take the licensure exam. CAPTE needs the first cohort of students to complete the program before final accreditation is awarded. So, programs are watched until the first cohort is finished, and then evaluated again, with another site visit, at which time they are granted accreditation status, provided the program continues to meet the established criteria.
SCU is seeking accreditation from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy on June 1, 2023, which is the formal documentation used by CAPTE to review the program. Submission of this information does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. However, should CAPTE deem the program meeting the established criteria, they will grant the Candidate status. Achievement of this Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation. A final information package is submitted and reviewed (again including a site visit), and if the program still meets the established criteria, final accreditation will be approved.
The accreditation process is for all programs. Each year, every DPT program must provide information to CAPTE that is reviewed and utilized to make ongoing accreditation decisions. Every so often, depending on the program accreditation status, another full review (including a site visit) will occur. At the most, this is every 10 years.
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the national physical therapist licensure examination, which is required in all states
Graduates of an accredited program are qualified to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Successful passing of the NPTE grants licensure and, together with a jurisprudence (law) exam (state-specific), provides authorization to provide physical therapy services in the state of licensure. To be qualified as an accredited program and enroll its first student cohort, SCU must be granted Candidacy Status, a status that means the program is making progress toward full accreditation. At the end of the program for the first cohort, additional review for initial (full) accreditation must be successfully completed to continue to teach additional cohorts.
Education programs that provide distance education outside their home state boundaries (including out-of-state clinical experiential learning) are required to assure comparable national standards for interstate postsecondary distance education.
Within California, programs providing such distance education or experiential learning opportunities need to make specific reciprocity agreements with each state. The current list of states SCU has such agreements with is: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
Students wishing to complete a clinical experience in one of these states may be able to have such an opportunity arranged.* States that are not on the list of approved distance education partners will not be available for such an opportunity. However, the list is updated regularly, so check back periodically or contact us for more information (DPTAdmissions@scuhs.edu).
The SCU DPT program will prepare students for licensure in any state (see National Examination and Licensure).
*SCU does not guarantee any specific clinical experience site for students.
Applications must be submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) portal. Applications may be submitted with pending requirements; however, applications will not be reviewed until all requirements are met. Applications with in-progress degrees will be reviewed if all other requirements have been met and the anticipated degree completion date is before matriculation into the DPT program.
Holistic admission process
Academic history is balanced by personal traits that reflect those needed within the healthcare environment and by skills and background characteristics to provide an opportunity for admission of students with a wide variety of strengths. This process promotes a learning community that can learn together and from each other, as we all focus on developing toward excellence while celebrating differences. All admissions requirements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The DPT program does not offer advanced placement or accept transfer credits. Transfer students are not accepted.
Email DPTAdmissions@scuhs.edu with any questions.
Below are the most important dates applicants should be aware of in the current application cycle.
| Charges from SCU by Term | Charges from Third Parties by Term | |||||||
| Term | Tuition | Program Fees | EXXAT Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee | Background Check | Basic Life Support CPR | Medical Equipment | Total |
| 1 | $17,280 | $324 | $130 | $150 | $46 | $445 | $18,375 | |
| 2 | $17,280 | $324 | $17,604 | |||||
| 3 | $15,360 | $324 | $15,684 | |||||
| 4 | $12,480 | $324 | $12,804 | |||||
| 5 | $14,400 | $324 | $14,724 | |||||
| 6 | $13,440 | $324 | $13,764 | |||||
| 7 | $13,440 | $324 | $46 | $13,810 | ||||
| 8 | $10,560 | $324 | $150 | $11,034 | ||||
| Totals | $114,240 | $2,592 | $130 | $150 | $150 | $92 | $445 | $117,799 |
*Tuition is charged at $960 per credit hour.
**Program fees listed are for the 2023/2024 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, professional affiliation, student health, and ASB.
** Books, supplies, additional back ground checks, drug screens, and other equipment not included in the tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
$114,240 tuition to complete the program.*
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
SCU has announced the addition of a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) academic degree program. The program will allow participants to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and will welcome its inaugural class of 50 students on Jan. 8, 2024.
You wouldn’t be looking at this program if you weren’t interested in helping people find their healthiest life. Your dedication and enthusiasm for the growing movement toward whole-person wellness are what makes you the perfect fit for SCU. Now, begin to discover why we’re the perfect fit for you.
Our approach to Interprofessional Education is unique in California and across the country. Here, modern medicine unites with ancient and traditional healing arts to create an environment of engagement. SCU’s groundbreaking IPE model combines curriculum, clinic, community, and clubs to help you develop a broader base of knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives on care which leads to a seamless transition from student to practitioner.
We bring together aspiring students from different disciplines so you can learn and excel side-by-side. The depth and breadth of this dynamic experience will prepare you to one day take the lead in a collaborative, interprofessional practice.
View our application requirements above or fill out a request for information to start speaking with an enrollment advisor today.
Students at SCU have many financial assistance opportunities available to them in order to cover their educational expenses. It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office to assist our students as much as possible to afford their education. Talk with a financial counselor by calling (562) 947-8755 ext 766 or click here to learn more
Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:
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