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Doctor of Physical Therapy-California


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

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is nationally respected and recognized as an innovative and transformational leader in physical therapy education, clinical practice, and research. U.S. News & World Report rated the DPT program as one of the Best Grad Schools 2024. 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.
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Our Philosophy and Practice Set Us Apart

Movement isn’t just about motion – it’s about purpose, healing, and leading a movement for change. Here, we don’t just teach you how to transform bodies; we teach you how to transform lives, communities, and the future of healthcare. We’ll walk this journey with you, ensuring that you’re not just prepared but empowered to lead with compassion and confidence. Our didactic and clinical education experience is future focused. The curriculum includes advanced technology with the use of AI, digital applications and new simulation lab. You will contribute to the health and wellness of our community providing assessments and treatment to a variety of patients – seniors, youth, athletes, neurological, prosethetics.

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

Integrated Practical Experience
Early and frequent clinical experiences in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and private practices.

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

  • Medical staff in white coats assist a person lying on a treatment table, securing a leg with a brace.

  • A Unique

    Immersive Curriculum

    From the moment you start, 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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Exciting Careers Our Alumni

Physical Therapy is a profession with a multitude of job opportunities, including acute care centers, orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled care facilities, sports medicine clinics and home health settings.
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Name, PT, DPT

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Name, PT, DPT, PhD

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Name, PT, DPT, NCS

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“It really made me appreciate what we do for our patients. The specific interventions we give our patients have meaning and we have the research to back up why we do things.”

Paula Yang, Class of 2026
Clinical Rotation – Casa Colina Hospital
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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 colleges, labs, and programs.
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Start on the path of one of the fastest growing professions in the nation. Get more information on the College of Health Science DPT program today.