CHHS News

WKU’S DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM RECEIVES REAFFIRMATION ACCREDITATION

WKU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has received reaffirmation accreditation for 10 years from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

“The WKU DPT faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure student success in the physical therapy program, and we are proud of this outstanding accomplishment,” said Dean of WKU’s College of Health and Human Services Dr. Tania Basta.

“We are honored to achieve the significant accomplishment of reaffirmation of the WKU DPT program accreditation,” Department Chair and Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Dr. Beth Norris said. “The process of seeking accreditation from CAPTE is voluntary on the part of the academic program and involves an extensive peer evaluation of the program’s adherence to standards and criteria that are established to ensure excellence in physical therapy education.  Achieving accreditation for 10 years is the highest achievement for a DPT program.  It is equally impressive that development of the self-study report and gathering of supporting evidence was conducted in the midst of a pandemic.  I attribute this accomplishment to the dedication and excellence of the DPT faculty, staff and students, and the support of the program’s advisory board, clinical partners, and university administration.”

The WKU DPT Program accepted their inaugural class in June 2013. The purpose of the DPT Program, an entry level professional program, is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become skilled physical therapists. The DPT Program consists of 118 credit hours over 3 years. The mission of the WKU DPT Program is to serve the health care and preventative needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including the rural and under-served areas, by developing culturally competent, caring, and autonomous physical therapists who will engage in critical thinking, evidence-based practice, professional behavior, life-long learning, and community/professional service.

About CAPTE: The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs; has been recognized as an independent agency since 1977 and has been the only recognized agency to accredit physical therapy programs since 1983; accredits over 200 physical therapist education programs and over 250 physical therapist assistant education programs in the U.S. and three physical therapist education programs in other countries (Canada and Scotland); has 29 members from a variety of constituencies; maintains a cadre of more than 250 volunteers who are trained to conduct on-site reviews of physical therapy programs; conducts on-site visits to approximately 70 programs annually; reviews information from approximately one-third of all accredited programs at each meeting; is an active member of the Association of Specialized and Programmatic Accreditors (ASPA) and subscribes to the ASPA Code of Good Practice.

For more information about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at WKU, visit www.wku.edu/physicaltherapy or call (270) 745- 3234.