Written by: Marian Polanco
Southern Adventist University is exploring the possibility of adding a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to its academic degree options. The proposed DPT program could significantly benefit both Southern and its students.
In an email to the Accent, Bob Young, senior vice president for Academic Administration, stated, “The university has developed a program prospectus approved by the university graduate curriculum committee, the Board of Trustees and its Academic Life and Student Success Committee. In addition, the university’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), has received notice of the university’s intention to begin this program of study at the doctoral level.”
A key step in moving forward is hiring a qualified director recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Young noted the difficulty in finding someone with the necessary credentials and alignment with the Seventh-day Adventist church’s values. He explained that the ideal candidate must have “a graduate degree in physical therapy, an academic doctorate not in physical therapy (PhD, DA, DSci, etc.), a current, valid P.T. license, significant clinical experience, and experience teaching in a doctoral-level physical therapy program and a track record of research and scholarship.”
Young also shared that the financial outlook for the program is promising.
“A fiscal analysis showed that a program admitting 35 students per year would pay back the cost of program initiation within five to six years,” he said.
According to Young, the total estimated cost for launching the program is $3.5 million, including $1.3 million for building renovations, $1.7 million for operational costs during the start-up phase and $500,000 for equipment. At full implementation, the program would require nine full-time faculty members, two non-faculty staff members and 18,000 square feet of laboratory, classroom and office space, which is tentatively planned for the Collegedale elementary school building when the university takes ownership.
Despite the challenges, Young sees significant benefits in adding the DPT program, particularly as the need for physical therapists is projected to grow.
“Especially as the population is aging, the need for the type of care provided by physical therapists is expected to increase,” Young stated.
Moreover, this program aligns with Southern’s mission of service, he further explained, emphasizing that those in the DPT program would be trained to integrate their professional skills with a life of service.
“The mission of the university is grounded in Jesus Christ and dedicated to the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” Young stated. “We equip students to embrace biblical truth, embody academic and professional excellence and pursue Spirit-filled lives of service.”
Corjena Cheung, associate vice president for Academic Administration and dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, emphasized that student interest drives the proposal.
“One of the key factors includes a strong presence of pre-physical therapy students who have expressed a desire to complete their doctoral studies on campus,” she said.
Cheung added that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 21% increase in physical therapy jobs over the next decade, further supporting the program’s need, she stated, “this will be our second doctoral program. Another strong graduate program would help buffer against a single program’s downturn and provide an additional revenue stream.”
The other graduate program at Southern is a Doctorate of Nurse Practice in the School of Nursing.
Cheung remains optimistic about this potential program, stating, “We have strong connections with local and national rehabilitation companies, which will support the development of the physical therapy degree. Our alumni network is also a valuable asset.”
However, both Young and Cheung acknowledge that challenges are to be overcome, including securing sufficient funding, hiring qualified faculty, and meeting the accreditation requirements necessary to launch the program successfully.
Some Southern students have already shown strong interest in the potential program.
Giancarlo Leonor, a junior pre-physical therapy major, said, “A DPT program at Southern would be great. It would mean not having to move away and could offer a unique opportunity to be part of a new program.”
Roy Yoon, a junior pre-physical therapy major, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “If the program starts, I would definitely apply and attend Southern instead of going elsewhere. Having the program here would be a big draw for me.”
“If the new program starts, I would definitely apply and attend Southern instead of going elsewhere. Having the program here would be a big draw for me.”
However, Leonor expressed concerns about how the program might affect Southern’s relationships with other Adventist universities, noting that “students may find bias when trying to choose a DPT program, especially if other schools are not allowed to send their reps anymore.”
