DPT Program Earns Candidate for Accreditation Status

The University of Charleston announced today that its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), marking a major milestone for the university's newest healthcare program.

The designation allows UC to officially welcome its inaugural cohort of 30 students into its hybrid DPT program, which combines flexible online learning with immersive hands-on training at the university's newly renovated Morrison Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Center.

This new status strengthens UC's reputation in healthcare education and comes as demand for physical therapists continues to rise across West Virginia and the greater Appalachia region.

"The University of Charleston focuses on launching and growing programs that meet the region's workforce needs, offering graduates exceptional hands-on learning opportunities, and leading to great career opportunities. Demand for licensed physical therapists continues to grow across West Virginia and surrounding states," UC President Marty Roth said.

"The new programs in physical and occupational therapy, housed in our recently opened Morrison Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Center, further establish UC as a premier university for healthcare education. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and support of our clinical partners and donors to develop and launch the PT program and ensure greater access to quality care through well-trained therapists."

"We are very excited to achieve Candidate for Accreditation status for our Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This milestone represents the University of Charleston's commitment to academic excellence and strengthens our role in preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals for the future," Dr. Dan Silber, UC Executive Vice President, Provost, and Dean of Faculty, said.

"Receiving CAPTE accreditation opens a new opportunity for the University of Charleston to provide access to life-changing higher education to students from West Virginia and across the country. As we continue to live our mission to educate students for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement, the addition of the Doctor of Physical Therapy expands our ability to bring more students into our academic community," Dr. Beth Wolfe, Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, said.

Mindy Smith, Dean of the UC School of Health Sciences, highlighted the value of UC's partnerships with healthcare facilities statewide, which enable UC students to align their professional goals with meaningful clinical experiences and employment. "Achieving accreditation milestones makes a strong statement to our community about our efforts to provide the highest-quality education for our healthcare students and the high standards that all UC Health Sciences programs uphold, ensuring that UC graduates serve their communities with excellence."

"Earning Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE is a major step forward for the University of Charleston's hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This recognition underscores that our innovative blend of online learning and immersive hands-on campus lab experiences is progressing as designed and positioned to empower skilled future physical therapists to address the diverse physical healthcare requirements of the greater Appalachian region through specialized training, compassionate care, and community engagement," Dr. Steven Lesh, UC Physical Therapy Program Director, said.

The University of Charleston's Doctor of Physical Therapy program is designed to prepare students to deliver compassionate, high-quality care through a curriculum focused on advanced clinical knowledge, hands-on experience, and serving communities with growing healthcare needs.

CAPTE is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and grants accreditation to qualified education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; [email protected]; (703) 684-2782 or (703) 706-3245.)