Doctor of Physical Therapy-California
Welcome
Now that you’ve decided to embark on a career in physical therapy, the next question is where to obtain your degree? Consider Western University of Health Sciences-California. We offer a fully-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program that prepares you to work as an independent practitioner and as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
At WesternU, you will study basic sciences, complete specialized courses, and engage in the clinical experiences you need to pass your licensure exam and become practice-ready. When you graduate, you will be prepared to take on the increasing role that physical therapists currently play in the healthcare system.
Doctor of Physical Therapy APPLY NOW
We have a well-regarded program and offer:
- Experienced faculty, many with 15 to 20+ years teaching experience
- Most faculty who hold doctoral-level degrees and/or who are APTA board-certified clinical specialists
- Small class/lab size with high faculty-to-student ratios
- Good integration of clinical experiences every two to three semesters within the didactic curriculum to allow for immediate application of knowledge and skills
- A great Southern California location with tremendous clinical education opportunities as well as access to major cultural and recreational resources
- Opportunity for advanced knowledge of clinical electives with core faculty, many of whom hold leadership positions at local and state levels
- Long humanistic tradition of treating patients as people first, treating students as colleagues, and fostering camaraderie among students
- Outstanding student support services including tutoring and disability resources
- Lab assistants who are either DPT faculty or working clinicians with expertise in lab course content
- Diverse student body and rich array of student club and volunteer opportunities including community service
- A small, private, health-focused graduate institution that fosters interprofessional learning with other health professions
- A record of DPT graduates who are in high demand and who enjoy a lifelong connection with the University
Western University of Health Sciences has approval from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to certify students eligible to receive VA educational benefits. The School Certifying Officials, located on the California campus, assist all students from our California and Oregon campuses who receive VA educational benefits. We cannot assist you with determining your eligibility for benefits.
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) welcomes international students and their families to our diverse university community.
International Student Services (ISS) is responsible for providing support and assistance in immigration advising, maintaining immigration status, maintaining information and documents on foreign students and their dependents in the Student and exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), staying current with rules and regulations and interpreting and applying the rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Homeland Security.
Take a look at our visit options and consider attending a WesternU Preview. If you’d like to discuss specifics with an advisor, schedule an advising appointment, online, on campus, or over the phone. When you request additional information we’ll make sure you receive program updates and deadline reminders.
Accreditation
The Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Department of Physical Therapy Education at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: https://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please contact Dr. H. Deoghare, PT, PhD, at hdeoghare@westernu.edu.
CAPTE has a mechanism to consider formal complaints about physical therapy education programs that allege a program is not in compliance with one or more of CAPTE’s Evaluative Criteria or has violated any of CAPTE’s expectations related to academic integrity. In reviewing and acting on a complaint, CAPTE cannot and does not function as an arbiter between the complaint and the institution. Should CAPTE find that a complaint has merit and that the program is out of compliance with the Evaluative Criteria or the integrity statement(s), CAPTE can only require the program to come into compliance with the Evaluative Criteria. CAPTE cannot force a program into any specific resolution of the situation that resulted in the complaint. Students or other interested parties may file a formal complaint about a PT program with CAPTE at any time. To obtain the materials necessary for submitting a complaint, contact the APTA Accreditation Department at (703) 706-3245 or at accreditation@apta.org.
Complaints Which Fall Outside The Realm of Due Process:
Any stakeholder of Western University of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy Education has the right to file a complaint and receive due process. Current students, prospective students, faculty, and staff should follow the established University policies available to these constituents. All other stakeholders, including, but not limited to employers of graduates, clinical education sites, and the public, may file a complaint under this policy. Complaints may be related to program policies, procedures, or other aspects of the program, including working with faculty and staff. Western University of Health Sciences prohibits any form of retaliation against any party making a complaint against the school or program, its faculty, or its students.
Procedure:
Complaints should be submitted in writing (mailed or emailed) and must be filed within one year from the event(s) in question. The written complaint must contain, at a minimum, the complainant’s name and signature, contact information, the date of submission, and a summary of the complaint. Anonymous complaints and phone calls will not be accepted.
A written complaint must be mailed or emailed to the Department chair/Program Director:
Harsha Deoghare PT PhD
Department of Physical Therapy Education College of Health Sciences
Western University of Health Sciences
450 E. 2nd Street Pomona, CA 91766
hdeoghare@westernu.edu
Office: (909)469-5437
Complaints about the Program Director/ Department Chair should be mailed to:
Gail Evans Grayson, EdD, MA
Dean – College of Health Sciences & College of Health Sciences-Northwest
Western University of Health Sciences
450 E. 2nd Street Pomona, CA 91766
gevans@westernu.edu
Office: 909.706.3796
The department chair (or dean) or her/his designee will initially respond to the complainant within three weeks of receiving the complaint.The department takes all program-related complaints seriously. If at all possible, the matter will be reconciled at this point.
If the complainant believes that additional review is necessary, the dean will review the complaint and address it. If further review is needed, then the last line of complaint is with the Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Paula M. Crone, DO
Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Western University of Health Sciences
309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766
200 Mullins Drive, Lebanon, OR 97355
Office: (909) 469-5563
pcrone@westernu.edu
The complaint and documentation associated with the complaint will be kept in a locked file in the department chair’s office (or dean’s office for a complaint against the department chair chairperson) for 5 years.
Upcoming Events
“Can I Really Do This?” Success Stories from Non-Traditional Students
Wednesday, June 18 at 5:30 PM Pacific Standard TimeAre you considering pursuing a career in health care but are worried about whether you can handle the stress of graduate school? You’re invited to our webinar, where you’ll connect with WesternU alumni who will address the general concerns students have about pursuing higher education. Our alumni will discuss topics like: Have I waited too long to return to graduate school?, Is it too late to make a career change?, Am I going to be able to balance my family and the workload?, and other concerns students may have about returning to school to enter the health care field. We hope you’ll join us!
Funding Your Future: Navigating Financial Aid for Graduate Programs
Wednesday, July 23 at 5:30 PM Pacific Standard TimeDo you have questions about applying for financial aid? Join our webinar to connect with a financial aid representative, as they share important deadline dates and different loan and scholarship opportunities created to assist you throughout your educational journey. You’ll also have a chance to ask them your questions during an open Q&A session. Your family and other members of your support system are welcome to join us! We’re excited to offer our financial aid webinar in both English and Spanish. Space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot today!
WesternU Preview Day & Open House | California Campus
Saturday, November 15 at 8:30 AM Pacific Standard TimeGet to know WesternU, our programs, and our community. Choose your program of interest and join us on our Pomona, California campus to: – Hear directly from our president and faculty members about program curriculum and highlights – Explore our classrooms, labs, hands-on learning spaces, and more – Connect with current students and learn about their experiences – Participate in hands-on, interactive workshops – Learn about navigating the admissions process and preparing to meet our application requirements – Gain insights into setting yourself up for admissions success