{"id":21,"date":"2013-09-13T17:40:12","date_gmt":"2013-09-13T17:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/allied-health?page_id=21"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:27:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T22:27:14","slug":"allied-health-dpt-about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/allied-health-dpt-about\/","title":{"rendered":"About the DPT Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero-secondary\">\n  <div class=\"relative bg-black\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/health-sciences\/images\/092520-chs-students-in-labs-21.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"First-year physical therapy (PT) and physician assistant (PA) students from the College of Health Sciences\">\n      <div class=\"adhere gradient-overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"relative container pt-56 md:pt-112 pb-144 md:pb-192\">\n      <div class=\"md:flex md:justify-between px-12\">\n        <div class=\"sm:w-8\/12 md:w-6\/12 xl:w-5\/12 px-12\">\n                      <div class=\"mb-20\">\n              <div class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-14 text-white leading-130\">\n  <span class=\"inline-block\">\n    <a href=\"\/\" class=\"block hover:underline\">WesternU<\/a>\n  <\/span>\n      <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">College of Health Sciences<\/a>\n          <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Doctor of Physical Therapy-California<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n    <span class=\"inline-block\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>            <\/div>\n                                        <h1 class=\"t-h1-sans  text-white\"><\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-start\">\n              <div class=\"w-full lg:w-5\/12 2xl:w-4\/12 -mt-80 md:-mt-112 mb-48 px-12 lg:pr-32\">\n                              <nav class=\"py-28 px-40 2xl:px-64 rounded-5 md:rounded-8 bg-gray-darker text-white mb-40\">\n            <ul>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Doctor of Physical Therapy \u2013 California<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/allied-health-dpt-about\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">About the DPT Program<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/curriculum\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Curriculum<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/dpt\/clinical-experiences\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinical Experiences<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/faculty-staff\/dpt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DPT-California Faculty &#038; Staff<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/nav>\n                            <\/div>\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content lg:w-7\/12 2xl:w-7\/12\">\n        <p>The Department of Physical Therapy Education educates competent, caring, culturally sensitive, reflective practitioners who are committed to life long learning, scientific inquiry, developing critical thinking skills, and employing evidence based practice so that they may best address the healthcare needs of the community.<\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <p>The faculty value and utilize an individualized approach to learning and growth within a unique graduate university having multiple medical disciplines.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Physical Therapy Education at Western University was established in 1992. The first class of 49 students enrolled in the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree program in January 1992. They completed the program 28 months later, graduating in 1994. In 2003, the program changed the start date from January to August and accepted the first entry-level class into a three year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program. The Physical Therapy profession has increased its role and responsibilities in providing health care services to the public. To assist current clinicians in meeting the new demands of the profession, the Western University Physical Therapy program offers licensed physical therapists an opportunity to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. The courses that are offered to fulfill the DPT requirements will enable these professionals to transition from the bachelor or master\u2019s degree level.<\/p>\n<p>Please take the time to visit our other web pages to learn more about our faculty, students, alumni, special events, curriculum and admissions process. If you have more questions, please contact our admissions office at\u00a0<a title=\"email to Admissions\" href=\"mailto:admissions@westernu.edu\">admissions@westernu.edu<\/a>\u00a0or our department directly at\u00a0<a title=\"email to DPTE\" href=\"mailto:dpte@westernu.edu\">dpte@westernu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"my-48 md:mt-96 md:mb-72\" vue-app>\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n      <div class=\"relative md:flex md:justify-end\">\n        <div class=\"app-gutter\">\n                                  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"md:absolute md:-top-32 md:left-0 w-full md:w-5\/12 lg:w-6\/12 h-240 sm:h-320 md:h-full object-cover rounded-t-5 md:rounded-8\" src=\"\/media\/health-sciences\/images\/dpt-cooper-hall-lecture-641578-19.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(min-width: 768px) 50vw, 100vw\" alt=\"DPT Cooper Hall Lecture\">\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"md:w-8\/12 xl:w-7\/12 app-gutter\">\n          <div class=\"p-32 sm:p-40 md:px-0 md:py-80 rounded-b-5 md:rounded-8 bg-red\">\n            <div class=\"md:ml-1\/8 lg:ml-1\/4 xl:ml-1\/7 md:px-40 lg:px-80\">\n                              \t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"text-lockup text-lockup--red\">\n\t<h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-serif  block text-yellow\">Department of Physical Therapy <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t-h2-sans  block text-white\">Education Vision<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-content t-p2 mt-24 text-white\">The WesternU Department of Physical Therapy Education will be nationally respected and recognized as an innovative and transformational leader in physical therapy education, clinical practice, and research. As humanistic change agents, our graduates will guide the profession in providing better care for individuals, better health for populations and communities, and lowered cost of health care through continuous quality improvement.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-28\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"cta-arrow cta-arrow--white \" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/programs\/doctor-of-physical-therapy\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    Apply Now<svg class=\"cta-arrow__icon d-block w-16 ml-12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mt-16\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"cta-arrow cta-arrow--white \" href=\"mailto:dpte@westernu.edu\">\n    Contact Us<svg class=\"cta-arrow__icon d-block w-16 ml-12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><polygon fill=\"currentColor\" points=\"11.3168217 0 9.27266614 2.39591605 14.0042587 6.6137266 8.92524936 6.42314237 0 6.42314237 0 9.57685763 8.92524936 9.57685763 14.0042587 9.3862734 9.19197579 13.6063528 11.3168217 16 20 8\"><\/polygon><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <h3>Department of Physical Therapy Education Mission<\/h3>\n<p>The Department of Physical Therapy Education supports and implements the mission of WesternU and the College of Health Sciences; Developing innovative physical therapists empowered with the art of humanism and the science of movement .<\/p>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\" vue-app>\n  <div class=\"container\">\n        <app-accordion class=\"px-24 lg:w-4\/5 mx-auto\">\n          <\/app-accordion>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\" vue-app>\n  <div class=\"container\">\n        <app-accordion class=\"px-24 lg:w-4\/5 mx-auto\">\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Resources\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <h3>The American Physical Therapy Association<\/h3>\n<p>The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 71,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. The association publishes <em>Physical Therapy<\/em> and <em>PT-Magazine of Physical Therapy<\/em>. The APTA also organizes the National Student Conclave, a national meeting for students of physical therapy. <a title=\"The American Physical Therapy Association\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apta.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.apta.org<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>California Physical Therapy Association<\/h3>\n<p>A state chapter of the national association, this group exists to meet the physical therapy needs of California residents through the development and improvement of physical therapy education, practice and research. <a title=\"California Physical Therapy Association\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ccapta.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.ccapta.org<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Physical Therapy Board of California<\/h3>\n<p>The mission of the Physical Therapy Board of California is to promote and protect the interests of the people of California by the effective and consistent administration and enforcement of the Physical Therapy Practice Act.<a title=\"Physical Therapy Board of California\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ptbc.ca.gov\/laws\/pt_practice_act.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ptbc.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy<\/h3>\n<p>The federation aims to facilitate reasonable uniformity in physical therapy practices and also administers the National Physical Therapy Examination. One of the groups key objectives is to strengthen state leadership in policymaking, promoting excellence and continuing competence in the PT profession. <a title=\"Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fsbpt.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.fsbpt.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n          <\/app-accordion>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-21","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10150,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21\/revisions\/10150"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/health-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}