SCU Brings Accelerated Physical Therapy Doctorate to Tempe

The inaugural cohort for the Tempe program is set to begin on August 30, 2027, with applications currently open. The curriculum compresses clinical and academic training into six consecutive terms, blending remote coursework with intensive, hands-on laboratory sessions at the university’s Arizona location. Students will also gain field experience through a network of over 500 clinical sites across the country, covering specialties ranging from sports medicine to neurological rehabilitation.

Kellee Harper-Hanigan, director of the Phoenix Metro program, emphasizes that the curriculum centers on a holistic patient care model rather than simple competency checklists. By integrating interprofessional education with conventional and complementary health strategies, the university intends to produce clinicians equipped to manage chronic conditions and long-term patient independence. This Tempe expansion marks the second campus for the program, following the established DPT track at the university's Los Angeles Metro facility in Whittier.