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Welcome Message from the Director
Dear Aspiring Physical Therapists,
I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to the Auburn Family as you embark on this incredible journey as the charter cohort of the Auburn University Physical Therapy Program. This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in your academic and professional lives, and I am honored to be your Program Director.
Your decision to join our program reflects your dedication to the field of physical therapy and your commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. As the inaugural class, you have a unique opportunity to shape the culture and traditions of our program, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of students.
Throughout your time here, you will be challenged intellectually, encouraged to think critically, and supported in your pursuit of excellence. Our distinguished faculty members are not only experts in their respective specializations but also passionate educators who are committed to your success. They will serve as your mentors, guiding you through coursework, clinical experiences, and research endeavors.
In addition to academic rigor, we place great emphasis on fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers, learning from each other's experiences and perspectives. Together, we will cultivate a community of lifelong learners dedicated to advancing the field of physical therapy.
As you embark on this journey, remember that you are not alone. You are part of a close-knit community that is here to support you every step of the way. We are your Auburn Family. Whether you need academic guidance, personal support, or simply someone to talk to, know that our doors are always open.
I sincerely encourage you to embrace every opportunity that comes your way, to challenge yourself, and to never stop pursuing your dreams. Your passion for physical therapy has brought you here, and I have no doubt that you will leave a lasting impact on our profession.
Once again, welcome to the Auburn University Physical Therapy Program! I am excited to witness your growth and achievements over the coming years.
WAR EAGLE!
Harsimran S Baweja PT PhD
Director, Physical Therapy
Mission Statement
The Auburn University Physical Therapy Program is committed to establishing a gold standard in the advancement of physical therapy and promoting the health of our society. Fueled by Auburn’s land-grant mission, we cultivate a community that is dedicated to enhancing the practice of physical therapy through innovations in education, research, outreach, and advocacy. We do this by preparing clinical physical therapists who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to provide exceptional patient-centered care, contribute to the advancement of the physical therapy profession, and address healthcare disparities in the communities we serve.
Aligned with the mission of Auburn University and the School of Kinesiology, our program is committed to promoting inclusive excellence in our workforce and communities. We accomplish this by creating a supportive learning environment that embraces and celebrates all perspectives, and by recruiting and retaining a student body, faculty, and staff who can best care for the communities we serve. Our program is grounded in evidence-based practice and integrates innovative teaching methods to prepare graduates to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape. We foster critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving skills through hands-on experiences in diverse clinical and research settings, particularly those that serve under-resourced communities.
Physical therapists play an important role in promoting health and wellness, preventing disease and injury, and restoring function and mobility across the lifespan. Our graduates are prepared to work collaboratively with healthcare teams and engage in lifelong learning to provide high-quality care and contribute to the advancement of the profession.
Accreditation
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT;www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
Auburn University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional/technical phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional/technical 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.
On 29th October 2024, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) acted to deny candidacy for the physical therapist education program at Auburn University. CAPTE reached this decision after a thorough review of all materials provided by the program, as well as information provided by on-site visitors. The deficiencies have been clearly identified in CAPTE’s Summary of Action, which we received on 12th November 2024.
Deny Candidacy is an adverse decision that can be reconsidered by CAPTE upon request from the program and institution. Reconsideration usually occurs at the next meeting of CAPTE in the spring or fall. If the program does not seek reconsideration, then the decision to deny will be final. If the program seeks reconsideration and the decision to deny is reversed, the program will be granted candidacy and will be able to start classes. If on reconsideration the original decision is upheld, then the decision to deny candidacy will be final unless the program appeals that decision to an Appeal Panel appointed by the Chair of CAPTE, in collaboration with the Sr. Director of Accreditation, and the Appeals Panel finds that the decision to deny should not stand.
In the interest of the public trust that the accreditation process serves, all enrolled and prospective students are hereby notified that candidacy of the physical therapist education program at Auburn University has been denied.
The AUPT Program has already taken the steps to appeal the decision and has been granted a reconsideration that will be made in the Spring meeting (April 2025) of the Commission. Auburn University is committed to the development of the physical therapist education program is actively addressing the identified deficiencies to meet CAPTE’s highest standards. Based on the timeline of this process, the current start date of the inaugural cohort is project to be delayed by a couple weeks to start in June 2025. Regular updates will be posted on the website and can be requested from the program by directing inquires to dpt@auburn.edu.
Questions regarding the candidacy status of this program or the reasons for the action to deny candidacy should be directed to the program faculty at dpt@auburn.edu. Questions about the candidacy or accreditation process may be directed to the Department of Accreditation, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085.
