On November 1, 2021, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) voted to grant initial accreditation to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Anderson University’s College of Health Professions.
In its Summary of Action, CAPTE did not cite any compliance issues in its review of the program’s self-study report, which addressed 132 criteria related to eight accreditation standards. The only data requested was the licensure and employment outcomes for the program’s first class which graduated at Anderson University’s fall 2021 commencement. The program experienced a similar “perfect” review in 2019 when it received its pre-accreditation status.
According to Dr. Martha Hinman, chair of the Anderson University School of Physical Therapy, for a new program to complete two accreditation reviews without a single compliance citation is a very rare accomplishment and one that is certainly unique to AU.
“We are thrilled to have recently received our letter of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for our School of Physical Therapy. To me, accreditation is a seal of approval. Accreditation indicates that an academic program is what it says it is, and that it meets minimum standards in key areas. This comprehensive assessment is a mechanism by our University has demonstrated that we have met those standards and represents this measure of success to the larger academic community,” said Dr. Donald Peace, dean of the College of Health Professions.