Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the launch of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, with its inaugural cohort expected to begin in fall 2027 pending accreditation milestones. The program marks a further expansion of OBU's graduate healthcare offerings and is designed to prepare students for careers as licensed physical therapists across a range of clinical settings.
Evidence In Motion is partnering with OBU to support development and delivery of the program as part of a broader effort to expand access to healthcare education and help address workforce shortages in rehabilitation and patient care.
Two-Year Hybrid Format Built for Workforce Readiness
OBU's DPT program is structured as a two-year accelerated hybrid, allowing students to complete doctoral-level education on an expedited timeline while preparing for professional practice.
The curriculum combines online coursework with required in-person training sessions focused on clinical skills, patient assessment and applied physical therapy techniques. The accelerated format is designed to help graduates enter the workforce efficiently without sacrificing the depth of preparation required for contemporary practice.
Clinical Rotations Across Diverse Healthcare Settings
Clinical education is central to the DPT program. Students will complete supervised rotations across hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and home health environments.
These experiences are designed to develop:
- Clinical reasoning and technical competencies
- Patient assessment and hands-on treatment skills
- Professional communication across healthcare teams
The program emphasizes patient mobility, recovery and long-term wellness, with an eye toward preparing graduates to serve diverse populations and healthcare needs.
Faith-Integrated Curriculum and Faculty Mentorship
Consistent with OBU's mission, the curriculum approaches healthcare education through a faith-integrated perspective. Students receive faculty mentorship and professional development support throughout both instructional and clinical phases of the program.
Program Director: Dr. Shelly Weise
The program will be led by Dr. Shelly Weise, who serves as physical therapy program director at OBU.
Weise has practiced as a physical therapist since 1993, with experience across acute care, outpatient services, home health and long-term care. She has worked in physical therapy education since 1999 and has served as a program director for 15 years.
Part of a Broader Healthcare Education Expansion
The DPT program is one of several new graduate healthcare initiatives at OBU. The university is also launching programs in occupational therapy, physician associate studies and speech-language pathology, reflecting a growing institutional commitment to health professions education and workforce preparation.