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WesternU / College of Health Sciences / Doctor of Physical Therapy-Oregon

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.

 

A student in a grey "WesternU" t-shirt practices physical therapy techniques on another student lying on a table in a classroom setting.

WesternU Oregon DPTE Purpose Statement

The purpose of the WesternU Oregon Department of Physical Therapy Education is to educate and develop service-oriented leaders in the profession of Physical Therapy who will provide humanistic care in rural, underserved, and/or vulnerable communities of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
  • Why choose WesternU

    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
    • 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.
  • Veterans Benefits

    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.

    Veterans Benefits

  • International Students

    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.

    International Students

  • Learn More

    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.


    Upcoming Events

    • Doctor of Physical Therapy (California) | Application Workshop

      Wednesday, December 4 at 2:30 PM Pacific Standard Time

      Do you need assistance with your Doctor of Physical Therapy program application? Join our virtual application workshop to ask your questions and hear advice from our admissions representatives on how to complete a successful application. You’ll also receive tips on how to improve your personal statement and learn how to become a more competitive applicant.