USAHS hosted an on-site candidacy visit for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, and applications are provisional while the Accreditation Candidacy Application is under review.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) took the next major step in seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for its planned Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the USAHS Dallas campus*. Following the submission of the Application for Candidacy, the University hosted an on-site Candidacy visit last month. USAHS will now begin conditionally accepting applications to the DPT program, which plans to launch at the new Dallas campus this fall (upon notice from CAPTE of approval on candidacy) with an initial cohort of 65 students.
“The University’s success blends our modern, inter-professional health sciences education with a focus on unparalleled patient care and service to the community,” said Dr. Thomas Werner, DPT Program Director in Dallas. “We are pleased to have completed these initial steps in the pre-accreditation process, which started more two years ago. The University anticipates hearing from CAPTE regarding Candidacy status later this spring.”
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences opened its Dallas campus in 2019, located in the Riverside Commons complex in Irving-Las Colinas, to help meet the growing demand for qualified rehabilitative science professionals and advanced-practice nurses in Texas. USAHS currently offers programs in occupational therapy and speech-language pathology on the Dallas campus.
“Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and the demand for health care services in the state and the greater DFW area will be remarkable, especially as the nation’s population continues to live longer, more active lives,” Dr. Werner added. “The impact of this shortage will be profound if there are not enough licensed, practice-ready professionals prepared to meet this growing demand in the next decade.”
The projected increase in demand for physical therapists is 22% through the year 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means the country will need more than 54,000 new PTs within the next decade.
Founded in 1979, USAHS is an accredited, graduate–level university that is committed solely to health and rehabilitative sciences through innovative classroom and clinical education. USAHS is a private university that has been serving Texas in the Austin area since 2012, with other campuses in St. Augustine and Miami in Florida, and San Marcos in Southern California. USAHS is the largest graduate-level physical and occupational therapy institution in the U.S. with more than 9,600 alumni.
“Our graduates from Austin have consistently demonstrated that they are well-prepared to practice as effective, inter-professional problem-solvers, and leaders in their professions,” said Dr. Brian Goldstein, Executive Dean of the College of Rehabilitative Sciences and Chief Academic Officer. “The programs being offered at the new Dallas campus represent some of the most in-demand professions in health care, not only in Texas but across the United States.”
* Program’s Status in Pre-accreditation Process
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; [email protected] is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE for its Dallas, Texas campus. On December 1, 2019, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. 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.
