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Go Beyond Expectations
and Transform Lives

Southern California University of Health Sciences
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

SCU’s Online-Hybrid Accelerated DPT is designed for the modern learner with the future of physical therapy in mind offering the perfect combination of location flexibility and learning excellence for a well-rounded learning experience. Our curriculum blends didactic content (instructor-led lectures) delivered online, with hands-on skills developed under the guidance of our experienced faculty during in-person lab immersions, and in-the-field clinical training administered at partner clinics across the nation. By emphasizing an integrative whole-person approach to learning and streamlining the educational process, our graduates are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to diverse communities.

Program
At-A-Glance

  • Online-Hybrid Format
  • Full-time
  • Accelerated Timeline – 2 years (6 terms)
  • Program Start Date: September 2, 2025

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By submitting this form, I provide my express written consent for the SCU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program to contact me via email, text, and/or telephone regarding furthering my education. I understand that contact may be generated using automated technology. Opt-out available at any time. By submitting this form, I authorize and agree that a representative of Southern California University of Health Sciences can contact me about educational services and future offers by email, phone and/or text messaging at the email and telephone number provided above using automated technology for calls or text messages. Message and data rates may apply. I understand that consent is not required to purchase any goods or services from this school and that my consent can be revoked at any time by emailing info@scuhs.edu. All information provided shall be subject to our privacy policy.

Earn your DPT in as little as 2 years, experience the vibrant culture of Southern California (a region known for its innovation in healthcare and wellness practices), and gain insights and networking opportunities you won’t find elsewhere!

Online, Hybrid, Accelerated

Enjoy the benefits of traditional interprofessional education in on-campus sessions that foster a strong sense of community within cohorts and allow you to explore alternative healing methods and diverse medical practices alongside peers from various professions. Expand your perspective, gain access to medical technology, and enhance your ability to provide integrative whole-health patient care throughout the first year as you join us in-person twice at the beginning and end of each trimester, for up to one week per visit.

Between lab immersions, you’ll learn online in synchronous and asynchronous sessions, from anywhere with an internet connection. You’ll delve into independent and virtual group study while tapping into the expertise of our SCU DPT faculty. During year 2, you’ll complete fieldwork rotations within our vast network of partner clinics while you also tackle your capstone research project. This method develops real-world insight into various environments and situations while encouraging students to think critically and devise innovative solutions.

Become part of a vibrant community of dedicated healers, innovators, and change-makers.
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At SCU, you’ll not only become a skilled practitioner but also a compassionate leader poised to make a difference in the world of physical therapy and beyond. Our DPT program is at the forefront, prioritizing clinical excellence and the cultivation of resilience and leadership skills in our students. Rooted in our university’s values of inclusivity and integrity, we champion an academic community where kindness, determination, and humor thrive. We welcome students who embody these values to apply for the program. It’s not just about knowledge and technical skills—it’s about possessing a unique blend of qualities that set you apart as a healer and an advocate for wellness. We’re looking for a diverse group of individuals who can learn from and with one another eventually collaborating to advance the profession. If you’ve never considered a career in physical therapy before, now is the perfect time to imagine yourself in this fulfilling and rewarding profession.

Employment in the field is projected to grow by
12%
leading up to 2032 – a much faster rate than other occupations.*
The median annual wage for Physical Therapists was
$97,720
in May 2022.*
*U.S.Bureau of labor and stascs
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Go Beyond The Conventional
Boundaries Of Healthcare Education

Admissions Requirements

At SCU, our admissions process intentionally takes a holistic approach to provide top-quality, accessible education to students nationwide by valuing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and talents, considering factors beyond academic qualifications to create a new generation of DPTs. We value qualities such as empathy, resilience, and a commitment to community service, recognizing that these attributes are essential for providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients.

  • Bachelor’s degree required + prerequisites
  • GRE is optional
  • Virtual recorded interview
  • Completed (or in the process of completing) 40 hrs of observation with a licensed PT
  • $500 Seat Deposit
  • Application Deadline: June 2, 2025

If you’re driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, fascinated by the complexities of human movement and function, and eager to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, then SCU’s DPT program is the perfect fit for you. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional seeking to expand your horizons, our program offers the ideal blend of academic rigor, clinical experience, and interdisciplinary education.

Join us and become a part of a community dedicated to
transforming healthcare and improving lives.

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Accreditation Statement

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 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. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE 3030, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT;www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website.

Southern California University of Health Sciences is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. On November 1, 2024, 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/technical] phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in [professional/technical] courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory CAPTE Rules of Practice and Procedure (22.3.12) 53 progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.