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Doctor of Physical Therapy-Oregon


Take part in an innovative, ever-evolving curriculum that expertly prepares you to care for your future patients.

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Earn Your DPT at CHS-Northwest

CHS-Northwest opened in 2021 with a commitment to creating new avenues of success for students and integrating into the fabric of the community. With state-of-the-art facilities and a comprehensive curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from dedicated faculty in a more supportive learning environment thanks to smaller class sizes that allow for one-on-one instruction. From our hands-on student-focused courses to our highly skilled and knowledgeable faculty, CHS-Northwest prepares you for a rewarding patient-centered career in health care.
Application Requirements & FAQs
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Our Practical Application Labs Set Us Apart

The CHS-Northwest curriculum features Practical Application Labs (PALs), a series of laboratory-based classes where you’ll get to work with volunteer patients under the direct supervision of a DPT-Oregon program faculty member. Not only do you get an authentic hands-on experience with patients throughout your curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to work with volunteer patients from underserved and rural environments who need the care you’ll provide with physical therapy evaluations and interventions. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a Community Service and Outreach as part of your structured coursework with 30 hours of volunteer service within the community.

Student-Faculty Collaboration
With student-centered architecture and in-house support services, students receive individual attention from CHS-Northwest‘s faculty.

Integrated Practical Experience
Practical Application Labs give you hands-on experience with evaluations and interventions serving rural and vulnerable communities to meet the unique needs of rural practice.

Inclusive Learning Experience
CHS-Northwest develops clinical leaders whose practice is reflective, evidence-based, inclusive, collaborative, innovative, and holistic, with a focus on advocacy and diversity.

  • A therapist in a white coat assists a man using a LiteGait device in a clinical setting.

  • A Unique

    Immersive Curriculum

    From the moment you start at CHS-Northwest, we’re focused on your future. Our DPT program is three years with nine semesters designed to provide you with a didactic and clinical education experience. Our five-course research sequence immerses students in primary scientific research, preparing them for both academic and clinical careers as they engage in projects ranging from assessing trunk control in individuals with severe disabilities to developing innovative gait analysis tools. We scaffold our academic and clinical experiences throughout nine semesters to develop professional character at the same time that we’re developing clinical skills, teaching students to connect with patients on a one-to-one level.

    Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum
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CHS-Northwest Faculty Caring Mentors

College of Health Sciences-Northwest students benefit from the support of our dedicated faculty, who mentor students through every step of the program–including skills labs to clinical experiences.

WesternU’s students thrive in a hands-on, nurturing learning environment.
Group of four individuals in a professional setting; one in a lab coat, others in business casual attire. They appear to be in a discussion in a workspace with exercise equipment in the background.
Adam Fagan, PT, DPT

The PALs program is built into the scaffolding of our curriculum. Because of these early and frequent clinical experiences, our students graduate with the ability to engage with patients right away.

Three people in a medical setting. One woman in a doctor's coat, another woman seated on a medical device, and a man standing next to her. There's a whiteboard and medical equipment in the background.
Kendra Cherry-Allen, PT, DPT, PhD

Between student research, medical simulation labs, early clinical experiences and work with the community, our curriculum develops adaptable practitioners who are ready for the future of the profession.

Two women are sitting across from each other at a desk in an office. One woman is talking, and the other is listening. A computer monitor and a plant are visible on the desk.
Erin McMullen, PT, DPT, NCS

Faculty offices are situated along student spaces to create an integrated environment. We have an open door policy for unmatched student support and collaboration.

“I enjoyed learning, and listening to our amazing faculty and staff. They worked so hard for our class to receive the best possible education and I truly believe they achieved that.”

Chase Cole, PT, DPT ’24, CSCS
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WesternU VIRTUAL TOUR

Western University of Health Sciences is one of the most comprehensive graduate schools for the health professions in the nation. Immerse yourself in 360-degree views, videos and photos that showcase WesternU’s College of Health Sciences-Northwest DPT program spaces.
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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.

Choose CHS-Northwest

Start on the path of one of the fastest growing professions in the nation. Get more information on the College of Health Science-Northwest DPT program today.