Army-Baylor University

The Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy is the program which traces its roots back over 100 years to the World War I era which sparked the growth of the physical therapy profession in the United States. Reconstruction Aides treated soldiers returning from Europe and a distinct need for formalized physical therapy training arose and triggered the formation of the American Physical Therapy Association. The Army physical therapy training program was first accredited in 1928 and trained civilians to work in military hospitals following graduation with a certificate in physical therapy.

During World War II, the need for physical therapists increased and enlisted women were granted commissions to become officers who established the Women's Medical Specialist Corps in 1947 later re-designated as the Army Medical Specialist Corps. This physical therapy educational program has been located at Fort Sam Houston, TX since 1948 and has trained generations of physical therapists. In 1971, Baylor University and the Army partnered to improve the program at the graduate level and established the Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, offering a master's degree and graduating the first class in 1973.

During the Vietnam era, Army physical therapists demonstrated skillful management in the care of large numbers of soldiers with musculoskeletal injuries and were further designated as "physician extenders" skilled in neuromusculoskeletal evaluation with expanded privileges in ordering certain analgesic and anti inflammatory medication, referral to specialty providers, and use of diagnostic imaging. The program welcomed students from the US Navy and US Air Force and became a tri-service training program during the 1990's. In 2002, the Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Physical Therapy was awarded approval to offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and graduated the first DPT class in 2006--effectively establishing the Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy.

The Army-Baylor University DPT Program of today recruits and selects highly-qualified individuals from the civilian sector to join the military and become officers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force. Our program also selects applicants from within the active duty and reserve forces from all branches to transfer into our program from other military occupational specialties. Following initial entry training, these officers engage in 30 months of entry-level physical therapy training to receive the DPT. Upon graduation, our graduates are well-prepared to serve in two unique professions - as an active-duty officer and as a military physical therapist.

This military physical therapy program is located at the historic Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and is the Home of Military Medicine. The Army - Baylor University DPT Program is proud to be a part of the Graduate School with the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE). The MEDCoE's mission is to develop, train and educate highly skilled military medical personnel and leaders through academic excellence. Outstanding clinical sites nearby include Brooke Army Medical Center, the Center for the Intrepid, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and other excellent sites.

Our students enjoy an excellent 1:6 faculty to student ratio, a class size of 32 students, excellent clinical training opportunities, promotion and guaranteed job placement after graduation from a top-ranked, historic program. The student does not pay tuition for this program and all selected applicants must enter into military service, undergo initial entry training, and then complete the physical therapy training program to be awarded the DPT degree. All students earn a salary commensurate with their rank as a military officer during the program. One class begins in January each year and completes 18 months of didactic training and 12 months of clinical internship. Upon completion of this 30 month graduate training program, the student incurs an active duty service obligation of 60 months after graduation. However, the service obligation is determined by the current regulatory guidance of each service.

Program conducts interviews as part of the admissions process?

Yes

Additional information about interviews

The Army Baylor University DPT conducts telephonic interviews. If selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the interviewer to setup a date/time to conduct the interview. Please ensure that all of your point of contact information in PTCAS is accurate.

The total cost of education is calculated by adding together the annual tuition, fees, and other required program expenses for the length of the program and does not include the cost of room and board or other personal costs.

* See the program's website for information regarding our Religious Affiliation: http://www.baylor.edu/about/?_buref=1172-91940 * Two-thirds of each class are directly commissioned from the civilian sector into the military to begin our entry-level doctorate program. The remaining one-third are applicants currently on active duty or in the reserves in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. * During the recruitment process, civilian applicants may indicate a service branch preference (prefer Army, prefer Navy, prefer Air Force). Service branch selection is based upon the needs of the service branch first, applicant preference second. * ALL applicants must meet the same minimum academic eligibility requirements in addition to military eligibility requirements to serve as an officer. * ALL students serve as officers and graduate students of Baylor University during the 30 month program. Students do not pay tuition and do receive a salary during the program. We plan to have approximately 20 Army, 3 Navy, and 3 Air Force students in each class of 26 students. * After completion of the program, ALL graduates are required to serve on active duty service as a physical therapist for that is determined by their respective service branch.

Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy

Primary Contact

+1 210.221.6457

usarmy.jbsa.medcom-ameddcs.mbx.army-baylor-dpt-program@mail.mil