Founded in 1899, Azusa Pacific University has grown from a small
training school for Christian workers to a university offering
more than 60 areas of undergraduate study, 26 master's degree
programs and 7 doctorates, as well as state-approved credential
programs. As an academic institution, APU promotes the highest
level of scholarship. In addition, APU adheres to the stringent
guidelines of our accrediting agencies.
Physical therapy is a dynamic, exciting profession that allows
you to aid patients in the rehabilitation process, thus helping
them to perform at their highest functional capacity. Physical
therapists have profound effects on the quality of life for the
people they assist. They have developed into a prominent group of
health care providers who provide a positive influence in the
volatile climate of the current health care delivery system. This
vocation has grown dramatically over the past several years and
is emerging as one of the latest doctoring fields.
Azusa Pacific University's Department of Physical Therapy has
assembled the best faculty, staff, and resources available to
prepare you for the doctorate level of physical therapy. Our
commitment to provide a practical balance between didactic and
clinical-based education, incorporating evidenced-based
critical-thinking and decision-making, is unmatched. The
department is soundly committed to the basic science and clinical
research that edifies the dynamic role of physical therapy. Our
programs are designed to provide students with the skills and
tools needed to meet the current professional demands and keep
pace with the ever-expanding roles of physical therapy.
Accreditation
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The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Azusa Pacific
University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of
Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical
Therapy Association.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
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The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) is a 31-month
(including summers), entry-level professional program emphasizing
the scientific basis of human structure and human movement, the
spiritual basis of human worth, and the integration of these
foundational elements into a comprehensive and problem-solving,
evidence- and consensus-based approach to artful evaluation and
skillful treatment. Graduates have a solid generalist perspective
of patient care in a variety of professional treatment settings
with a strong foundation for post-professional specialization and
lifelong learning.
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
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The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a
post-professional physical therapist education program that:
- allows the U.S. licensed physical therapist to obtain the
clinical doctorate by demonstrating knowledge commensurate with
that of current professional (entry-level) Doctor of Physical
Therapy program outcomes.
- takes into account the learner's knowledge and experience.
The DPT is conferred upon completion of a structured
post-professional educational experience that results in the
augmentation of knowledge, skills, and behaviors at a level
consistent with the current professional (entry-level) DPT
standards. The DPT earned through the transitional program is:
- an applied/clinical degree.
- a post-professional, "bridge" degree.
- analogous to current professional (entry-level) clinical
doctorate standards.
- not meant to signify acquisition of advanced clinical skills.
- a degree rather than a clinical designator.
The purpose of the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy
Program is to supply didactic augmentation based on new and
expanding knowledge, skills and behaviors in physical therapy
which have changed throughout the past 5-10 years to current
licensed practitioners. The program's primary objective is to
ensure that graduates possess the consensus-based competencies
congruent with the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 2nd
Ed. and the Normative Model of Physical Therapy Education,
V2K.
The program is divided into three separate educational tracks for
licensed physical therapists:
- Graduates of the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) at APU
- Graduates with a Master of Physical Therapy from other
entry-level programs approved by the Commission on Accreditation
of Physical Therapist Education (CAPTE)
- Graduates with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy from other
entry level-programs approved by the Commission on Accreditation
of Physical Therapist Education (CAPTE)
