SCU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Achieves CAPTE Candidacy

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is proud to announce 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). This milestone affirms that the program meets CAPTE's rigorous standards and is authorized to begin enrolling students into professional coursework.

Achieving candidacy reflects the collective work of SCU's faculty, leadership, and academic teams to build a robust, forward-thinking curriculum grounded in evidence-informed practice, hands-on clinical preparation, and SCU's Whole Health philosophy. As one of the nation's only universities focused entirely on Integrative, Whole Health education, SCU trains future clinicians to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—while collaborating across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity.

An Innovative Program Designed for Today's Healthcare Environment
SCU's DPT program was intentionally designed to prepare practice-ready physical therapists who can thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape. The program's distinctive features include:

• Accelerated Completion – Students earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in as little as 24 months through a streamlined, high-quality curriculum.
  
  
• Hybrid Learning Model – Online coursework provides flexibility, while immersive on-campus labs allow students to master hands-on skills in SCU's state-of-the-art facilities.
  
  
• Whole Health Integration – Consistent with SCU's institutional mission, the DPT program emphasizes whole-person, movement-based health, encouraging students to consider lifestyle, cultural, emotional, and environmental factors in patient care.
  
  
• Interprofessional Education – Students learn alongside peers in complementary programs such as Chiropractic, Ayurveda, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, Physician Assistant, and Occupational Therapy, gaining experience in team-based care reflective of real clinical environments.
  
  
• Practice-Ready Preparation – The curriculum is designed and taught by experienced faculty who bring decades of clinical expertise, ensuring graduates enter the field with strong clinical reasoning, patient communication, and hands-on competencies.

"Achieving candidacy status is a tremendous milestone for our program and for the future of physical therapy education at SCU," said Craig Ruby, Program Director for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. "This designation reflects the dedication of our faculty and leadership team to building a rigorous, innovative curriculum that prepares practice-ready clinicians committed to whole-person care."