Doctor of Physical Therapy
Welcome to the UTC Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Physical therapists / Doctors of Physical Therapy (PTs), are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. They practice in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, people’s homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes. PTs diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. But PTs also care for people who simply want to become healthier and to prevent future problems as they help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives. Visit ChoosePT.com, the American Physical Therapy Association’s official consumer information website, to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy.
We received our initial accreditation by CAPTE in 1992, and have been continuously accredited since that time. UTC has been awarding the DPT since 2003.
Student Outcomes
98.5% DPT Graduation Rate
Average graduation rate of 98.5% for the last two graduating classes ( 2025- 100%, 2024- 97%).
95.6% First-Time Pass Rate
Average first time pass rate of 95.6% on the National Physical Therapy Exam for the last two graduating classes (2025- 94.3%, 2024- 96.9%).
100% ultimate pass rate for the classes of 2025 & 2024.
100% Employment Rate
100% of those who graduated in 2023 and 2024 and sought employment are employed in physical therapy (full-time or part-time) within one year of graduation.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
- Phone: 703-706-3245
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.capteonline.org
If you need to contact UTC's program directly, call 423-425-4747 or email [email protected]
Federal code 668.43 (a)(5)(v) -
The UTC DPT Program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant 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, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.
Contact Information
If you have a concern about the accreditation status of the program or wish to express a concern about the accreditation process and/or have a complaint about the UTC DPT Program, you are encouraged to contact CAPTE at http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/ .
For Complaints Falling Outside of Due Process Procedures
Complaints that fall outside of due process procedures and that are not subject to a specific University grievance procedure should be directed to Dr. Nancy Fell, Department Head, Physical Therapy, at [email protected] or Dr. Valerie Rutledge, Dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, at [email protected]. Retaliation for filing a complaint is prohibited.