NEW YEAR, NEW PROGRAM

Partnership marks beginning of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCCS

The University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences have renewed their academic partnership within the University of Colorado system.

Utilizing resources and talent from both CU Anschutz and UCCS, the universities plan to provide a unified academic curriculum for students pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Students in the DPT hybrid pathway at UCCS will spend the same amount of time in clinical rotations and have the same graduation requirements as the residential DPT pathway students at CU Anschutz.

On November 23, 2022, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) approved the Application for Approval of Substantive Change. Prospective students interested in this pathway can plan to apply in the 2023-2024 Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) cycle.

UCCS is currently recruiting the director for the DPT hybrid pathway, and both UCCS and CU Anschutz will be hiring program faculty with joint appointments throughout 2023.

The DPT program prepares graduates to be competent physical therapists capable of assuming roles as clinical practitioners, educators, scholars/researchers, administrators, consultants, and advocates.

“We look forward to combining our world-class physical therapy education with innovative teaching practices and practical experiences,” said Dr. Jackie Berning, UCCS Health Sciences department chair.

Students in the UCCS hybrid DPT pathway will have the option to live in Colorado Springs throughout their DPT education and commute to the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center for approximately 7-14 days of intensive lab immersion within each semester or learning block.

The rest of the course content occurs online in synchronous or asynchronous format, allowing the students to reside in their local communities. The hybrid track blends the convenience of online learning with the excellence of in-person lab immersion experiences throughout the educational experience. Students will complete the 116 credit-hour hybrid DPT pathway at UCCS in 2.5 years.

Students with specific interest in rural healthcare and preparation for pursuing a physical therapy career in a rural community are considered ideal candidates for the hybrid program in Colorado Springs. Clinical experiences will be offered in the Colorado Springs area, rural Colorado, and across the nation. Students will also be encouraged to complete clinical experiences in their local community.

“Our partnership with UCCS allows us to better meet the healthcare needs in Southern Colorado, strengthens our inter-campus collaborations, and positions us to lead as the delivery of clinical education continues to evolve,” said Dr. Michael Harris-Love, SOM Associate Dean of Physical Therapy Education.

The degree requirements are the same for either pathway. A bachelor’s degree or higher in any field except physical therapy is needed to enroll. It is permissible to apply before the bachelor’s degree is completed, but enrollment in the program will not be allowed until the bachelor’s degree is awarded.

Beginning with the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, there will be one application for both pathways, residential and hybrid. Applicants will be asked to answer whether they want to only be considered for one pathway, or whether they prefer one but would consider either. Based on the applicant’s choice, they will then be directed to a corresponding essay question.