OBU Launches Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the launch of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, a new graduate health care degree designed to prepare students for careers as licensed physical therapists across a variety of clinical settings. The program is expected to welcome its first class in fall 2027, pending achieving accreditation milestones.

The accelerated, hybrid program will allow students to earn a doctoral degree in two years while preparing for professional practice in settings such as private clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and home health environments.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for physical therapists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, reflecting strong demand for professionals who support rehabilitation, mobility and long-term health outcomes. The field offers opportunities for career stability, competitive earning potential and meaningful, patient-centered work that contributes to the well-being of individuals and communities.

The program has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission.

The curriculum will combine academic instruction, clinical education and professional development to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills required for contemporary physical therapy practice. Students will be trained to support patient mobility, recovery and long-term wellness across diverse populations while approaching care through a faith-integrated perspective.

The hybrid design will incorporate a blend of virtual coursework and in-person training experiences. Students will engage with faculty through digital learning platforms and participate in hands-on instruction and skill development during on-campus sessions. The accelerated format is designed to allow students to enter the workforce efficiently while maintaining the depth of preparation required for doctoral-level practice.

Clinical education will play a central role in the program, providing students with supervised experiences in a variety of health care settings. These rotations will allow students to apply classroom learning while developing clinical reasoning, technical ability and professional competencies.

Faculty advisers will support students throughout the program, offering academic guidance, mentoring and professional development resources during both the instructional and clinical phases.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is part of a broader expansion of graduate health care education at OBU. In addition to the DPT program, the initiative includes a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Dr. Shelly Weise serves as program director for the physical therapy program at OBU. Weise has practiced as a physical therapist since 1993 and has experience in acute care, home health, outpatient services and long-term care. She has worked in physical therapy education since 1999 and has served as a program director for 15 years.

Applications and additional information about the program are available at okbu.edu/dpt.

Accreditation statement:

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered an accredited status. As such, the credits and degree earned from a program with candidacy status are considered by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education to be from an accredited program. Students in the first class should be eligible to take the licensure examination even if accreditation is withheld at the end of the candidacy period. Final determination of licensure eligibility is made by individual state licensing agencies.

Oklahoma Baptist University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program plans to submit an application for candidacy on Nov. 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not guarantee the program will be granted candidate for accreditation status. Achievement of candidate for accreditation status is required prior to enrollment in professional phase courses. Although candidate for accreditation status indicates satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not ensure the program will ultimately be granted accreditation.