Doctor of Physical Therapy program receives positive accreditation status

BUIES CREEK — The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences received on Wednesday positive Candidate for Accreditation status from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The physical therapy program was announced in fall 2011 as an effort to train qualified practitioners to meet anticipated shortages in the health care industry.

This accreditation achievement marks the official start of the three-year program and allows students to formally enroll in the program. The first class, which will arrive in Buies Creek in January, is expected to consist of 40 students and will graduate in December 2016.

“We are extremely pleased with receiving a positive accreditation status,” said Ron Maddox, vice president for health programs and dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. “This is just one more step toward meeting the health care needs of our community and North Carolina.”

Campbell University has experienced tremendous growth in the health care education field. The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is the fourth new health sciences degree created by the university since 2011, preceded by a Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree, Master of Science in Public Health degree and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

“As a program, we’re very excited about today’s decision,” said Dr. Greg Dedrick, director of the DPT program. “The successes we have today are a culmination of many people’s hard work, faith, belief and dreams. We look forward to welcoming the inaugural class of 2016 to the Campbell family.”

Campbell is the seventh DPT program offered in North Carolina. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy programs will transition to only offer the DPT degree by 2020.

About Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences: Campbell University began addressing health care issues in 1986 with the establishment of the nationally acclaimed College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, which was the first new pharmacy program founded in the United States in more than 35 years. In addition to the doctor of pharmacy program, the College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in clinical research and pharmaceutical sciences, a graduate degree in public health and a professional degree in physician assistant practice. Classes for the new Doctor of Physical Therapy program will start in January 2014.

About accreditation: Effective Nov. 6, 2013, Campbell University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: [email protected]/* */). Candidacy is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation.