Physical Therapists are movement experts who promote functional recovery, optimize physical performance, and enhance quality of life. Our unique education and licensure allow us to evaluate, diagnose, and treat people with movement dysfunctions that result from pain, weakness, or underlying pathology.
Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term health benefits. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
For more information, visit the American Physical Therapy Association and Move Forward.
Although many physical therapists practice in hospitals, more than 80 percent practice in:
(American Physical Therapy Association. Retrieved March 22, 2016 from http://www.apta.org/AboutPTs/)
Students
Faculty to student ratio
PT Alumni (As of May 2023)
Choosing a university for your doctor of physical therapy (DPT) education is one of the most important and significant financial investments you’ll make in your life. At Pacific, we take the issue of cost seriously. Compared to other DPT programs located in California, the cost of tuition at Pacific ranks in the 88 percentile. Our location and concise program provides cost-savings advantages that add value to your DPT education.
The mission of Pacific's physical therapy program is to prepare lifelong learners who are skilled, reflective, autonomous practitioners. The program is committed to furthering the body of knowledge of physical therapy and providing leadership within the profession advocating for optimal health, wellness and performance for all members of society. We accomplish this through a concise program of study emphasizing evidence-based reasoning and creative skills grounded in the basic and clinical sciences. Our academic program is enhanced by a wide variety of innovative clinical experiences and involvement in professional societies.
Students in Pacific's Doctor of Physical Therapy program learn skills & techniques necessary for:
(2-Year Average for 2023 and 2024 Graduates)
on-time graduation rate
overall NPTE pass rate
First-time NPTE Pass Rate
employment post-licensure
Formal coursework helps students develop their professional resumes and interview skills. Students and alumni can use sources from APTA and CPTA to find Physical Therapy job opportunities after graduation.
Graduates of University of the Pacific who have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from University of the Pacific within the 5 years prior to matriculation to the DPT program will be offered a priority admissions interview.
The Pacific Physical Therapy Advantage Program candidate must meet all contemporary prerequisite requirements for admission into the DPT program, including required coursework, grade point average, Graduate Record Examination score, and observation hours.
The program benefit only can be used for the first time a candidate applies to the DPT program. It is automatically applied to all applicants who graduated from University of the Pacific, so there is no special program to sign up for.
For more information contact the Department of Physical Therapy at PTAdmissions@pacific.edu.
Read our Admissions information for everything you need to know about prerequisites, how to apply, and more.
The University of the Pacific is dedicated to providing quality clinical education throughout the physical therapy program. The academic faculty values the essential partnerships with clinical educational faculty in creating quality clinical education experiences.
See what students, alumni and faculty are up to, plus stay up to date on the latest Pacific physical therapy news.
Read about the service-learning experiences of our DPT students at the Beyond Pacific blog.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of the Pacific is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Telephone: 703.706.3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Website: capteonline.org
If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 209.946.2886 or email physicaltherapy@pacific.edu
Complaints may be filed with CAPTE here.
We take a hands on approach with our students. This means we want to get to know you throughout your discovery and application process. Help us connect with you by taking the next step.
The Program is an equal opportunity institution of higher learning and is firmly committed to nondiscrimination in its delivery of educational services and employment practices. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, such decisions will be made irrespective of the individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any other status protected by law. For further information, please see the University’s policy.
