Augustana University announced plans to expand its reach in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education with the launch of the Augustana Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Colorado, known as DPT-CO, beginning in January 2027. The program will be housed within Augustana's School of Health Professions and builds on the success of the university's legacy DPT program in Minneapolis.
The expansion follows major milestones for Augustana's DPT-MN program, which graduated its first cohort of 70 students in spring 2025 and was granted full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in April 2025.
About the Augustana DPT Program Expansion
DPT-CO represents Augustana's second Doctor of Physical Therapy program and extends a proven hybrid education model to a new region. Colorado is home to one of Augustana's largest alumni populations and continues to experience demand for physical therapy professionals trained for contemporary practice settings.
"There are currently only a few DPT programs in Colorado, and none of them are hybrid," said Dr. Shelene Thomas, program director of DPT-CO. "We feel Colorado is hungry for a progressive, hybrid option. Our world is getting more hybrid every day, and students are able to tolerate a faster, shorter program."
Why Augustana Is Launching a DPT Program in Colorado
The Colorado expansion reflects Augustana's broader strategy to increase access to physical therapy education while responding to workforce needs. Hybrid and accelerated models allow students to pursue advanced training without relocating, helping institutions reach students who might otherwise be unable to enroll in traditional, campus-based programs.
"Our hybrid program offers students the ability to continue their career growth wherever they are," Thomas said. "They don't have to uproot their family to attend physical therapy school, and a two-year program lowers the cost significantly."
Hybrid and Accelerated DPT Program Design
Like the Minnesota program, DPT-CO will be completed in two years and is designed to prepare graduates to enter the profession as health care leaders.
Students will complete eight-week online coursework blocks combined with in-person lab immersions in the Denver area. Lab immersions will range from five days to two weeks, depending on course requirements. Clinical education rotations will take place across the country, allowing students to gain diverse clinical experience while learning in place.
While the Colorado program will align closely with the DPT-MN curriculum, Augustana plans to refine course sequencing and increase lab time to further support hands-on skill development.
Preparing Physical Therapists for Primary Care Practice
A defining feature of the Colorado program is its emphasis on primary care and scope-of-practice readiness. Physical therapy licensure in Colorado allows for greater professional autonomy, creating opportunities for graduates to support patients with musculoskeletal injuries, low back pain and fractures.
Program Leadership, Enrollment and Application Timeline
Augustana plans to hire four directors to support leadership and instruction for the Colorado program. Enrollment goals include 80 students in the inaugural cohort, increasing to 90 students in the second year and 100 students in the third.
Applications are now open for the first DPT-CO cohort, with a priority application deadline on June 1, 2026.
Accreditation
Colorado Campus
Augustana University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on May 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory CAPTE Rules of Practice and Procedure (22.3.12) 53 progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.