Anderson University is a faith-based institution located in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The mission of the School of Physical Therapy is to transform students into movement specialists whose practice is enlightened by scholarly evidence and reflective thinking, grounded in Christian values and professional ethics, and committed to service and lifelong learning. The School accepted its first class of 28 DPT students in the summer of 2019 soon after receiving candidacy status from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The DPT program is designed to prepare PT's who are clinical experts in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the human movement system, as well as advocates for healthy living and physical wellness. Graduates will also be prepared to be scholar-practitioners who help advance the practice of PT.

Why Anderson University?

Anderson University is known for the individualized attention, personal interactions, and professional mentoring that students receive from its faculty and staff. Small class sizes support your spiritual and professional development as you pursue your career goal of becoming a physical therapist.  With a strong emphasis on service, the School of Physical Therapy provides students with multiple service learning opportunities throughout their journey. Our faculty are all experienced physical therapists who hold a variety of specialty certifications and advanced clinical credentials in practice areas such as including orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.

A unique feature of AU's DPT program is our "SPICE of Life" volunteers. "SPICE" refers to "Senior Partners in Clinical Education." These senior citizens are paired with DPT students to provide them with personal support and encouragement throughout the program. They also serve as "practice patients" to provide students with feedback on newly learned skills.    

AU's 125 credit-hour physical therapy curriculum is organized around five themes:

* Knowing: We synthesize scientific knowledge to better understand human movement

* Applying: We solve problems of movement dysfunction via diagnosis and treatment

* Promoting: We seek ways to advance physical therapy practice and optimize societal health

* Modeling: We strive to reflect professional and Christian values in our daily lives and health care practice

* Serving: We seize opportunities to enhance the quality of life for all God's people

The curriculum is delivered in only eight semesters which allows our graduate to enter the job market sooner than most other DPT programs in our area. Our shorter curriculum also helps offset the tuition cost of a private institution, making AU's costs competitive with most public institutions.  

State-of-the art teaching facilities

With the exception of our simulation and cadaver labs which are located on our main campus in Anderson, most of the DPT curriculum is delivered at the University Center in Greenville (UCG).  The University Center provides dedicated office, lab, research, and library space for several of AU's graduate and specialty programs. Here you will enjoy newly furnished and equipped lab and classroom space in a secure environment which is accessible seven days a week. The Greenville community offers an abundance of housing, recreational, cultural, shopping, and dining options that support the lifestyle of our graduate students.

Clinical Education

AU enjoys clinical affiliations with public and private hospital systems, clinics, and agencies throughout South Carolina and the U.S., providing you with contemporary knowledge of best practices and advancements. Students work closely with the Director of Clinical Education to match their learning needs and interests with these clinical facilities.  

Early in the curriculum, students are given opportunities to observe and interact with other members of the healthcare team through visits to a several local practice settings such as corporate fitness facilities, school systems, orthotic and prosthetic clinics, speech and language therapy clinics, and therapeutic horseback riding facilities. During the second and third years of the program, students will complete 32-weeks of full-time clinical experiences in a variety of inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and specialty practice settings. In addition, students have an opportunity to focus a week of service-learning activities in a setting of their choice.  

Your future as a Physical Therapist

Whether you have been drawn to physical therapy from personal experience, a calling to work closely with those in need, or simply a fascination with the human body and how it moves, AU's DPT program will prepare for a professional career that offers opportunities for a good earning potential, job mobility, specialty development, and personal satisfaction. More importantly, our students leave us equipped with "hands that heal, hearts that feel, and minds that reveal."

Tentative interview dates for Fall 2022 will be in October and November.

Deposit is applied toward first semester's tuition.

Students should be sure of their choice before placing a seat deposit. Deposits will not be refunded if the student withdraws his or her acceptance either before or after the depost deadline. 

Students who completed their undergraduate degree at Anderson University receive an extra point in the admissions rating process.