DPT Program Granted Candidate for Accreditation Status

On December 1, 2023, Graceland University was granted candidacy for its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), which joins other approvals already received by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas Departments of Higher Education.

“We are really excited about this milestone in our program,” said Leigh Murray, PT, PhD, Program Director of Graceland’s DPT program. “I am grateful to CAPTE and to the Graceland faculty and staff members who assisted in the accreditation process.”

By achieving candidate for accreditation status, all Graceland DPT enrollees will be able to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for licensure. The USDE has ruled degrees earned and issued by an institution or program holding candidate status from a nationally recognized agency are considered to be from an accredited institution or program.

Graceland University’s DPT is a two-year hybrid, accelerated physical therapy program providing students with an innovative and collaborative learning community. The program’s mission is to develop movement system experts who lead and serve their communities with justice, compassion, excellence, and a sense of belonging. The curriculum develops an adaptable, collaborative, evidence-informed, socially responsible, and reflective learning community of physical therapists.

Graceland Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Joel Shrock, PhD, said, “I commend the DPT team for crossing this milestone. Graceland looks forward to welcoming its first cohort of students in January 2024.”

The deadline to apply for the January 2024 cohort is December 15, 2023. Information on Graceland’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is available at www.graceland.edu/dpt.

Accreditation Statement

Effective December 1, 2023, the Graceland University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 816-209-1332 or email dpt-admissions@graceland.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

About Graceland

Graceland University is more than just a school – it is an education that endures. Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland is committed to creating a community of radical belonging where passionate, caring, and dedicated individuals put their relationships with students first. Radical belonging creates a safe space for self-discovery enabling Graceland students to become the bold leaders and changemakers the world needs. The University’s traditional undergraduate campus in Lamoni, Iowa, is complemented by a campus in Independence, Mo., and additional locations in Trenton, Mo. and Mission, Kan.

For more information and to see additional student achievements, follow @gracelandu on Twitter and like Graceland University on Facebook, or visit www.graceland.edu.