Physical Therapy
A full-time, three-year clinical doctorate preparing graduates for entry-level practice and licensure as Doctors of Physical Therapy.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Conroe
- Face to Face
3 Years
Restoring Function Transforming Lives
Where and How Is This Program Available?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is delivered in person at SHSU’s Conroe campus (945 City Central Avenue, Conroe, TX 77304), located in the Greater Houston metro area. The full-time, cohort-based format is designed to be completed in three years across eight consecutive semesters.
At SHSU, we aim to transform lives through innovative education, hands-on learning, and collaborative practice.
With its inaugural cohort matriculating Fall 2027 in our new Health Professions Building in Conroe, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares students through a traditional systems-based curriculum, extensive clinical experiences, and a four-part Doctoral Project. By prioritizing professional development and community engagement, we empower compassionate, evidence-based clinicians who deliver dedicated service that transforms lives and enriches communities across Texas and beyond.
Why Choose SHSU’s DPT Program?
Our DPT program blends rigorous science, hands-on clinical training, and a culture of mentorship to prepare physical therapists who lead with skill, evidence, and compassion. Built from the ground up on the latest in physical therapy education, every part of the program is designed with students in mind.
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Physical Therapy Research Hub
Our $70 million Health Professions Building opened in February 2026 in Conroe, co-located with the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. From day one, faculty research is anchored across three areas: orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, and AI/machine learning in rehabilitation — the latter through partnership with the SHSU-COM Medical AI Institute, backed by a $4.99 million Department of Energy R&D grant. Students learn alongside faculty actively shaping the field.
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Gateway to the Med Center
Our Conroe campus places students at the door of the world's largest medical complex — the Texas Medical Center, home to MD Anderson, Texas Children's, Houston Methodist, and more than 106,000 healthcare employees with a $25 billion economic footprint. The Houston MSA ranks first in Texas for physical therapy job postings. SHSU-DPT students gain clinical and research access that no peer Texas DPT program can match — while training in a more affordable community than central Houston.
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Clinical Education Unmatched
Students complete 1,780 clinical clock hours. Four part-time clinical experiences embed real patient care within the didactic curriculum starting in Year 1, followed by 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences. Specialty placements include the Huntsville-area correctional system — leveraging SHSU's nationally Top 5–ranked Criminal Justice expertise — and international clinical experiences in Costa Rica and El Salvador.
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Anatomy & Interprofessional Ed
DPT students complete a 15-week full cadaver dissection course at the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine — a depth of anatomy training rarely available to physical therapy students. Throughout the program, students share an interprofessional simulation center with the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies, Athletic Training, and the School of Nursing. Interprofessional Education is woven throughout the curriculum.
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Wellness & Student Support
We don't just admit students — we invest in their success every step of the way. Weekly one-hour wellness sessions every didactic semester address stress management, mindfulness, resilience, burnout prevention, nutrition, and work-life integration. A 13:1 student-faculty ratio, structured faculty advising, peer mentoring, the Academic Success Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, and individualized remediation plans support students through every phase of their doctoral journey.
Accreditation Status
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085 (telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org), is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Sam Houston State University is seeking CAPTE accreditation for its new DPT program. The Candidacy application is planned for November 1, 2026. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to enrollment in professional and technical courses. Candidacy status does not guarantee final accreditation; however, students enrolled in programs that have achieved Candidate for Accreditation status are considered, by CAPTE, to be enrolled in an accredited program. Licensing eligibility is ultimately determined by each state licensing board. Students are encouraged to contact the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (www.fsbpt.org) for state-specific requirements.
Find Your Future Career
Graduates are prepared for entry-level practice as licensed Doctors of Physical Therapy across the full continuum of care — with strong job demand projected nationwide and across Texas.
Mentors. Clinicians. Scientists.
Our core faculty bring clinical expertise, doctoral-level scholarship, and a deep commitment to teaching — small enough to know every student, experienced enough to prepare them for anything.
DPT Contact
Program Director
Sambit Mohapatra, PT, PhD — Professor and Chair
smohapatra@shsu.edu936.202.5525
Health Professions Building
945 City Central Ave. Conroe, TX 77304
Become a Bearkat
Ready to learn how SHSU can help you or to start your application today? Our Admissions team is here to help. Call 936-339-0148