WELCOME MESSAGE FROM PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Welcome to Tarleton State University’s developing Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Our goal is clear: to prepare physical therapists who are clinically skilled, compassionate, and committed to improving access to care in communities that have historically had the least. This program was built with intention—to reflect the realities of practice today and to equip graduates for the future of the profession.
Our mission is to educate and graduate compassionate and skilled primary care physical therapy professionals who advance the profession, promote fairness and social responsibility, and transform the health of society through excellence in education, discovery, leadership, and service.
The DPT program is full-time and cohort-based, spanning three years (nine semesters and 114 credit hours). Students progress through a structured, term-based sequence. The curriculum is grounded in the principles of competency-based education. Students are expected not only to complete coursework but to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for safe and effective practice. Learning is integrated across classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, clinical education, and structured reflection.
We emphasize clinical reasoning, examination and evaluation, differential diagnosis, prevention, and evidence-informed care. Diagnostic ultrasound is incorporated across multiple courses to support clinical decision-making. Students also learn in a state-of-the-art, multimodal anatomy lab intentionally designed by physical therapists to promote active learning and connect structure to function.
This program prepares graduates for the future of physical therapy, including expanded roles in primary care, integrated care teams, and rural health systems. Our clinical education network reflects this vision. While we maintain strong partnerships across Texas, our network of clinical sites extends nationwide. Students gain experience in outpatient, inpatient, rehabilitation, and primary care-oriented settings. Clinical placements are determined by the program and informed by student goals and learning needs. Interprofessional education is integrated throughout the curriculum in collaboration with students in nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and public health.
We are preparing to submit our Application for Candidacy to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) by November 1, 2025. Candidate for Accreditation is a recognized accreditation status. CAPTE considers graduation from a program with Candidacy status to be graduation from an accredited program, which makes students in our first cohort eligible to sit for the national licensure examination. Final licensure eligibility is determined by each state licensing board.
We expect to welcome our first cohort in June 2026. More details about curriculum structure, clinical education, and student support are available on our website. I also encourage you to reach out directly with questions. If you are looking for a program that aligns with your commitment to clinical excellence, service, and meaningful leadership in the profession, we invite you to learn more.
Dr. Dawn Jame, PT, DPT, DSc
Program Director and Associate Professor
Tarleton State University
djames@tarleton.edu
Program Overview
The Tarleton State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a full-time, post-baccalaureate degree program offered in a traditional face-to-face format within the School of Health Professions, located in Stephenville, TX. As part of a public, doctoral-granting institution with high research activity, the program is committed to delivering a student-focused, high-quality education that prepares graduates for excellence in clinical practice, leadership, and service.
The 3-year (9-semester), 114-credit Doctor of Physical Therapy Program’s mission is to educate and graduate compassionate and skilled primary care physical therapy professionals who advance the profession, promote fairness and social responsibility, and transform the health of society through excellence in education, discovery, leadership, and service. With a focus on improving healthcare access, particularly in rural and medically resource-limited communities. The program is committed to preparing students for patient-centered, high-quality care in a vast range of clinical settings.
The program fosters professional awareness and patient-centered care, emphasizing adaptability, ethical decision-making, and respect in healthcare interactions. Students learn to recognize and address barriers to healthcare access while developing strong communication and critical thinking skills to enhance patient outcomes. The curriculum integrates policy awareness and emotional intelligence to prepare students to serve all patients with confidence and compassion.
Mission
To educate and graduate compassionate and skilled primary care physical therapy professionals who advance the profession, promote fairness and social responsibility, and transform the health of society through excellence in education, discovery, leadership, and service.
Vision
To be a premiere program in physical therapy education, inspiring exceptional care, and transforming the human experience by optimizing movement. Our graduates will be sought-after leaders in healthcare, championing access to quality care, fostering an environment of lifelong learning, and leaving an indelible mark on the health and well-being of individuals and communities, locally and beyond.
Key Focus Areas
- Primary Care & Direct Access – Students gain expertise in differential diagnosis, early detection of health conditions, and comprehensive patient evaluation to enhance preventative and long-term care solutions.
- Interprofessional Collaboration – Students develop teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution skills, working alongside other healthcare professionals to provide integrated, patient-centered care.
- Evidence-Based Practice & Research – The curriculum emphasizes research literacy, critical thinking, and application of best practices, ensuring graduates contribute to advancing the physical therapy profession.
Through rigorous coursework, hands-on clinical experiences, and a commitment to professional excellence, the Tarleton State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program prepares students to become competent, compassionate, and ethical physical therapists who can serve all patient populations and improve healthcare outcomes in a variety of settings.
Rural and Community Health
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is committed to improving access to physical therapy services in rural and resource-limited communities by preparing graduates to address healthcare disparities, provider shortages, and geographic barriers. The curriculum integrates primary care and direct-access training, ensuring that students develop the clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills needed to serve as frontline providers in rural settings, where physical therapists often play a key role in early intervention, preventive care, and chronic disease management.
Students gain expertise in developing sustainable, patient-centered solutions tailored to resource-limited environments, including telehealth, mobile clinics, and community-based rehabilitation. Training emphasizes evidence-based practice, research literacy, and data-driven decision-making, equipping students to apply high-impact interventions in settings with limited access to specialty care.
Given the collaborative nature of rural healthcare, students develop interprofessional competencies, strengthening their ability to work within multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes. Clinical education includes immersive experiences in rural or resource-limited environments, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to deliver high-quality care, expand healthcare access, and improve patient outcomes in rural and community-based settings.
This commitment aligns with the mission of Tarleton State University, the Division of Health Sciences, and the American Physical Therapy Association, reinforcing the program’s dedication to developing skilled physical therapists who can lead and innovate in rural health care.
Accreditation
Tarleton State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is currently in the process of seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program will submit its Application for Candidacy by November 1, 2025, with a CAPTE decision anticipated in spring 2026. Candidacy is a formal stage of accreditation and must be granted before students are enrolled. As a result, the first cohort will begin the program only after candidacy is achieved and will graduate from a CAPTE-accredited program.
The first cohort of students is scheduled to begin classes in June 2026 and graduate in May 2029. Pending CAPTE accreditation, graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) beginning in summer 2029, which is the first available licensure examination period following graduation.
Read more about the accreditation process for this program.
Contact Us
Physical Therapy Program – Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
School of Health and Clinical Professionals
Division of Health Sciences
Email: DPTadmissions@tarleton.edu
Phone: 254-595-7203