The Pacific University School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training offers education for entry into the physical therapy and athletic training professions. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the degree granted to students who complete the three-year entry-level physical therapy program. 

The School has graduated professional physical therapists since 1977. In 1985, the Bachelor of Science degree (BSPT) was replaced by the Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT). This was later replaced by the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in the fall of 2000 with the first class of DPTs graduating in 2003. The Physical Therapy Program is fully accredited by CAPTE with the maximum re-accreditation duration of 10 years awarded in 2016. The School is a member of the College of Health Professions and shares facilities with ten other health professions programs. 

The primary goal of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to graduate a well-rounded and highly competent clinician ready to assume duties in the standard areas of physical therapy practice, including hospitals, outpatient private practice clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, pediatric rehabilitation facilities, and neurological rehabilitation centers. To achieve this goal, every effort is made to offer a curriculum well balanced in the areas of orthopedic, neurological, and general physical therapy with attention to the needs of pediatric patients, geriatric patients, and other special populations. 

Threaded throughout the curriculum and emphasized in all courses are problem-solving, ethical and professional behavior, writing and speaking skills, evidence-based practice, lifelong learning, and the importance of contributing to the growth and development of the profession. 

The curriculum is organized to periodically integrate didactic classroom learning with clinical learning experiences. Beginning with the second semester of the first year and continuing each year thereafter, students spend time implementing the didactic and laboratory skills they have learned in a clinical setting. Thus, by the end of the program, 39 weeks are devoted to full-time clinical education experiences. 

Currently, the program affiliates with nearly 600 different clinical facilities. These include hospitals, private practice and hospital-affiliated outpatient clinics, neurological rehabilitation centers, school systems, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Although the majority of these affiliates are in the Portland metropolitan area and other parts of Oregon, students have opportunities to go to many other states including Idaho, Utah, Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Montana, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada. International opportunities are available in Italy, South Africa, and Belize. Consistent with the intent to graduate well-rounded clinicians ready to serve diverse patient populations and in diverse practice settings, all students are expected to participate in at least one (many times two or more) clinical education experience outside of the Portland metro area. New opportunities and existing partnerships are continuously examined in order to provide variety and quality to all students' clinical experiences.

Visit our website for more information. Applicants can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at PT.AT@pacificu.edu if they have questions.

Admitted applicants will receive more information about the deposit at the time of acceptance.

Pacific University is a private institution, which means all students pay the same amount for tuition regardless of residency status.  State residency is not a determining factor in the application review process.