Doctor of Physical Therapy-Oregon
Welcome
Now that you’ve decided to embark on a career in physical therapy, the next question is where to obtain your degree? Consider WesternU Oregon. We offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program that prepares you to be an integral member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
At WesternU Oregon 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.
WesternU Oregon DPTE Purpose Statement
We have a well-regarded program and offer:
- Small class/lab size with high faculty-to-student ratios
- Integration of clinical experiences within the didactic curriculum to allow for immediate application of knowledge and skills
- An overall pass rate of 98% on the national licensing exam for 2024.
- A great Oregon 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
- Long humanistic tradition of treating patients as people first, treating students as colleagues, and fostering camaraderie among students
- Outstanding student support services including tutoring
- Lab assistants who are either DPT faculty or working clinicians with expertise in lab course content
- A 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
- Graduates who are in high demand and who enjoy a lifelong connection with the University
- Complete Program cost information can be found on this Financial Fact Sheet.
Student Goals:
- Embrace the program’s mission, values and organizing principles.
- Have the capacity and commitment to succeed in doctoral physical therapy education.
- Demonstrate an interest to serve rural communities, medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
- Develop habits to foster life-long learning to succeed in an evolving health care environment.
Graduate Goals:
- Create patient centered care plans within a humanistic tradition, while synthesizing evidence that promotes optimal health outcomes.
- Illustrate movement system expertise as autonomous practitioners who welcome collaboration with interprofessional health teams.
- Contribute efforts to positively impact the overall health outcomes of communities and society with a commitment to rural environments, medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
- Demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and role identity commensurate with a doctorate in physical therapy.
- Serve communities to improve health through optimizing movement.
- Embrace self-reflection and professional curiosity to pursue ongoing life-long learning.
- Strive for excellence in all aspects of physical therapist practice.
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.
The DPT-OR program is currently unable to accept international students, but are in the process of seeking approval and look forward to inviting international students to apply in the future.
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 an upcoming event. 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 Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Department of Physical Therapy Education at Western University of Health Sciences – Oregon campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alecandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 541-259-0470 or email dpteoregon@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 – Oregon 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 of 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:
Sandra Saavedra PT PhD MS
Department of Physical Therapy Education – Oregon
College of Health Sciences Northwest
Western University of Health Sciences
2665 S. Santiam Hwy, Lebanon, OR 97355
ssaavedra@westernu.edu
Office: (541) 259-0476
Complaints about the Program Director/ Department Chair should be mailed to:
Jonathan Perry PhD MSc
Site Dean – College of Health Sciences Northwest
Western University of Health Sciences
2665 S. Santiam Hwy, Lebanon, OR 97355
jperry@westernu.edu
Office: (541) 259-0478
The department chair (or site 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 possible, the matter will be reconciled at this point.
If the complainant believes that additional review is necessary, the site 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
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 site dean’s office for a complaint against the department chair chairperson) for 5 years.
Financial Fact Sheet
Complete Program cost information can be found on this Financial Fact Sheet.
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!