• DPT Students in class
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

»Doctor of Physical Therapy

Ranked Among the Nation's Best - Chapman DPT Program
 
Nationally recognized. Student-focused. Clinically driven. Start your journey toward a meaningful career in physical therapy with hands-on training, expert faculty, and a supportive learning environment at Chapman's Rinker Health Science Campus. At the heart of our program is a commitment to excellence in physical therapy education and service:

Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower the next generation of physical therapists through exceptional teaching, community engagement, and scientific inquiry.
 
Join a program that blends academic rigor with real-world application - preparing you to make a difference in the lives of others and the future of healthcare.
 
 
Why earn your DPT at Chapman?
  • Personalized Education: Cohorts are just 40 students, enjoy individualized attention and mentorship throughout your academic journey. 
  • Hands-On Community Engagement: Gain real-world experience through programs like the Stroke Boot Camp, Service Learning Clinics, and the Community Exercise Program, working with patients before your clinical rotations. 
  • Extensive Clinical Network: Access to over 800 clinical sites in the U.S., offering diverse experiences in outpatient orthopedics, inpatient care, and specialties like neurology, pediatrics, and sports rehabilitation.
  • Global Clinical Opportunities: Apply for clinical experiences abroad in Italy, Belize, and Dominica, immersing yourself in new cultures while serving underserved populations.
  • Expert Faculty: Learn from cutting-edge researchers who bring evidence-based practice directly into the classroom to prepare you for the future of the profession. 

By the Numbers

  • 99% Graduation Rate for 2023-2024 (combined averages)
  • 100% Employment Rate among 2022-2023 graduates (combined averages)
  • Ranked #93 by U.S. News & World Reports - Best Physical Therapy Program - 2025
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Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Tom Walters, OCS, DPT '07
The small class sizes and close relationships with professors were the most valuable aspects of my education in the DPT program. The success I’ve experienced as a physical therapist is directly related to the educational foundation I received at Chapman.
Karley Headshot
Class of 2025 Early Success
Karley Duda, '25 DPT
Karley Duda, SPT, CSCS, successfully passed the NPTE ahead of graduation and will begin an Orthopedic Residency this fall at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Karley’s drive, professionalism, and commitment to clinical excellence stood out during her time at Chapman, and we are proud to see her continuing to advance in the orthopedic specialty.
Jenny Zhu headshot
Class of 2025 Early Success
Jenny Zhu, '25 DPT
Jenny (Xianyi) Zhu, SPT, also passed the April NPTE with flying colors and has accepted a position in the highly competitive Oncology Residency at the University of Southern California. Jenny’s dedication to patient-centered care and her pursuit of specialized training are a testament to the values we uphold in our program. These early accomplishments reflect the strength of our students, faculty mentorship, and Chapman’s commitment to preparing graduates for immediate success in advanced practice settings.

More Information


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Mission Statement and Core Values

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower the next generation of physical therapists through exceptional teaching, community engagement, interprofessional education, and scientific inquiry. 

Vision Statement

Our vision is to be recognized for excellence and social responsibility in physical therapy practice, education, and research. 

Core Values 

  • Student-Focused Education: Acknowledging the individuality of each student, our goal is to nurture lifelong learners to be adaptable and excel in critical thinking and problem-solving. 
  • Service and Community Engagement: We aim to address healthcare concerns with compassion by fostering strong, interconnected communities for the benefit of patients, clinical partners, and students.
  • Collaborative Interprofessional Education: We aim to develop physical therapists committed to collaborative and integrated teamwork with healthcare professionals with diverse and complementary expertise to enhance patient care.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture, promoting equitable access to healthcare services, ensuring exceptional care for all.
  • Innovative Rehabilitation Research: We are dedicated to enhancing lives through interdisciplinary and translational research in mechanisms of movement impairment, healthcare technologies, and novel interventions intended to improve functional mobility for individuals across the lifespan.

Our Faculty and Research


Gait Rehabilitation and Research Lab (GRRL)
  • Led by Dr. Rahul Soangra, the GRRL investigates the effectiveness of perturbation training for enhancing postural and dynamic stability in individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. 
Gait Behavior Lab
  • Led by Dr. Natalia Sanchez, the Gait Behavior Lab aims to understand the individual factors that shape gait behaviors in healthy and pathological populations during changing walking demands. 
Telerehabilitation, Robotic Therapy and Augmented Reality Games for Stroke Recovery
Neuromechanics of Human Movement Laboratory
  • Dr. Jo Armour Smith’s program of research investigates how postural control of the trunk is adapted in response to pain, aging and skill training, and the mechanisms underlying these adaptations.
Dynamic Prehension Lab (DPL)
  • Dr. Susan Duff’s program of research investigates the development and recovery of prehensile skill following peripheral or central neural injury.

Disclosure Statement on Physical Therapy Licensure in US States & Jurisdictions

The Chapman University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, due to its professional accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), meets the educational eligibility criteria for licensure as a physical therapist in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.

Requirements for licensure in all states include passage of the National Physical Therapy Examination administrated by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). However, additional requirements can vary by state. Often, states require the administrator for the CAPTE-accredited program from which a student graduates to certify the student’s successful completion of that program. Depending upon the state, candidates for licensure may also be required to demonstrate successful completion of the state jurisdiction’s juris prudence examination. The FSBPT provides information on requirements to practice as a physical therapist in each state, and includes direct contact information for each licensing jurisdiction and their legislative policies: https://www.fsbpt.net/lrg/Home/LicensureByExamRequirement

The information provided above does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a candidate’s application. Further, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect a candidate’s application for licensure that occur after this disclosure has been made. In addition to the information provided herein, students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.

Admission Averages

 

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Chapman University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE):

3030 Potomac Ave. Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085;
(703) 706-3245
accreditation@apta.org

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education logo

Visit the Rinker Health Science Campus


The Physical Therapy program is located at Chapman University's Rinker Health Science Campus at the corner of Alton Pkwy. and Jeronimo Road in Irvine.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the campus. You can also contact us to make an appointment and visit the campus in person.

Address:
9401 Jeronimo Rd.
Irvine, CA 92618

(Google Map)

Contact Us


Dr. Shawn Farrokhi
Chair, Physical Therapy
farrokhi@chapman.edu
(714) 744-7906

Application Deadlines


Chapman University’s entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program PTCAS application for the 2025 - 2026 cycle is open from June through November 2025.

More information about application deadlines can be found here.