University Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Governors State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) recently received reaffirmation of its accreditation status from The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program’s accreditation extends through June 30, 2021.
CAPTE’s specialized accreditation process is extremely rigorous, involving extensive internal and external review of the program’s compliance with CAPTE’s evaluative criteria for accreditation of education programs for the preparation of physical therapists.
"Accreditation is a voluntary process," notes Rebecca K. Wojcik, PT, Ed.D., GCS, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at GSU. "We engage in this process to affirm the high quality of education we provide to students. We’re very pleased that the program has been recognized for its compliance with the CAPTE’s evaluative criteria for the accreditation of education programs for the preparation of physical therapists.”
CAPTE is the only accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit physical therapy programs. The organization currently accredits more than 200 physical therapist education programs and more than 250 physical therapist assistant education programs in the U.S.
GSU’s Physical Therapy program was first accredited in February 1999. At that time, the program conferred the Master of Physical Therapy degree. However, to meet the changing demands of the physical therapy profession and in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision for the profession, the university replaced the master’s level degree with the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which best prepares graduates to meet state licensure requirements.
GSU’s Department of Physical Therapy develops physical therapist practitioners who base decisions on scientific and clinical evidence for their roles as clinicians, leaders, advocates, and teachers. In addition, the department promotes social responsibility and contributes to the health, well-being, and economic development of the region by preparing graduates for licensure as physical therapists.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is located at 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314 and can be contacted at [email protected], (703) 684-2782 or (703) 706-3245.
For more information on Governors State University’s physical therapy program, visit www.govst.edu/chhs/dpt or call (708) 235-2232.
