School of Health Professions

Doctor of Physical Therapy Our School of Health Professions now offers a new degree program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, through its Department of Physical Therapy. Physical therapy faculty team up with Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine physicians and specialists to offer unparalleled training in musculoskeletal and orthopedic practices, and osteopathic manipulative therapy techniques.

Physical therapy classes began for the charter class of 30 students August 2010 in newly renovated facilities in the Education and Administration Building. Next year’s classes for fall 2011 will take place in the newly constructed Medical Education Training Building which offers state-of-the-art educational facilities for physical therapy education.

The Department of Physical Therapy has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). Candidacy is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation.

The physical therapy program also has received approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies
The School of Health Professions also offers a 34-month program that culminates in awarding the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. The Physician Assistant Studies program has been accepting PA students since 1997. Since opening its doors, the program proudly boasts more than 250 practicing alumni who provide healthcare services to citizens of Texas and beyond. In 2000, the department became the first state physician assistant studies program in Texas granted authority to award the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. Graduates of our Physician Assistant program are eligible to sit for the national Physician Assistant Certification Exam. In 2010, Forbes.com cited the physician assistant as the number one profession on their top ten list of “Best Master’s Degrees for Jobs”. Our master's degree program in Physician Assistant Studies is currently ranked 34th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.