Department of Physical Therapy

Join Sam Houston State University's innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy* program launching Fall 2027 and become part of the next generation of compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals.

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Shaping the Future of Physical Therapy

Welcome to the Department of Physical Therapy at Sam Houston State University. Our developing entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is designed to prepare students for excellence in clinical practice through an innovative, student-centered curriculum that combines rigorous academic study with extensive hands-on clinical experiences.

Located within the College of Health Sciences, our program is built on the foundation of academic excellence, high-quality patient care, and commitment to professional standards. At SHSU, we're not just teaching physical therapy—we're transforming lives and empowering future healthcare professionals to make meaningful differences in the lives of their patients.

About Our Department

Mission

The Department of Physical Therapy is committed to creating a student-centric environment that fosters academic excellence and encourages discovery. We aim to transform lives through innovative education, hands-on learning, and collaborative practice. By prioritizing professional development and community engagement, we empower our students to become compassionate, skilled professionals who make a meaningful impact in the field of physical therapy and the communities they serve.
Vision

The Department of Physical Therapy strives to be a leader in innovative education and research, empowering future physical therapists to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care and dedicated service that transforms lives and enriches communities.
Student-Centered Learning

Our curriculum prioritizes your success through personalized attention, mentorship, and educational approaches that accommodate varied learning styles, with a focus on critical thinking and evidence-based practice.
Hands-On Experience

Gain practical skills through integrated clinical experiences beginning in your first year, culminating in 36 weeks of full-time clinical education rotations with expert practitioners.
Professional Leadership

Develop leadership skills through our Professional Issues & Leadership course series and Advanced Leadership Practicum, preparing you to make an impact in the physical therapy profession.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are prepared for diverse career paths across multiple settings and specialty areas:

Acute Care Hospitals: Inpatient rehabilitation, ICU, emergency departments
Outpatient Clinics: Private practice, hospital-based outpatient, specialty clinics
Skilled Nursing Facilities: Long-term care, transitional care units
Home Health Services: In-home patient care, telehealth physical therapy
School-Based Practice: Special education services, pediatric school settings
Industrial/Occupational Health: Workplace injury prevention, ergonomics, return-to-work programs
Sports Medicine Facilities: Professional sports teams, collegiate athletics, sports performance centers
Wellness and Fitness Centers: Corporate wellness, community fitness programs
Research Institutions: Clinical research, academic medical centers
Government and Military: Veterans Affairs hospitals, military treatment facilities
International Healthcare: Global health initiatives, medical missions

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) recognizes 10 specialized areas where physical therapists can achieve board certification:

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy (CCS) Cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, intensive care
Clinical Electrophysiology (ECS) Electrodiagnosis, nerve conduction studies, EMG testing
Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) Aging-related conditions, fall prevention, long-term care
Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS) Stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, movement disorders
Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCSMusculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, manual therapy
Pediatric Physical Therapy (PCSDevelopmental delays, congenital conditions, early intervention
Sports Physical Therapy (SCSAthletic injury rehabilitation, sports performance enhancement, return-to-sport protocols
Women's Health Physical Therapy (WCSPelvic health, prenatal/postpartum care, women's health conditions
Wound Management (WMS) - The latest addition to ABPTS specialtieAcute, chronic, and non-healing wound care and treatment
Oncology Physical Therapy (OCSCancer rehabilitation, lymphedema management, survivorship care

Academic Faculty: University teaching positions, clinical education coordination
Clinical Research: Principal investigator, research coordinator, clinical trials
Healthcare Administration: Rehabilitation directors, department management
Consulting: Healthcare consulting, expert witness testimony
Policy and Advocacy: Professional association leadership, healthcare policy development
Entrepreneurship: Private practice ownership, innovative healthcare solutions
Technology Integration: Telehealth development, digital health platforms
Global Health: International development, humanitarian missions

Professional association leadership roles
Clinical mentorship and preceptorship
Continuing education and conference speaking
Professional writing and publication
Quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
Interprofessional collaboration and team leadership

Accreditation Status

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT;www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.

Sam Houston State University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to apply for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on November 1st, 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the [professional/technical] phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in [professional/technical] courses until Candidate for Accreditation.

*The proposed degree program has been approved at the Texas State University System Full Board meeting and is pending action from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board