Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Earns CAPTE Accreditation

North Central College’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program recently earned accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE is a national accrediting agency that grants accreditation to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, assuring the quality of education each student receives.

“Program accreditation is a major milestone and the result of countless hours of hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence from our faculty and staff,” said Dr. Kristin Geraty, provost and vice president for academic affairs at North Central College. “This a win for our students, as it ensures that they are receiving a high-quality, well-rounded education that will prepare them to be skilled and impactful leaders and practitioners in a fast-paced and evolving healthcare field.”

The mission of North Central’s DPT program is to support learners on their journey to becoming excellent clinicians, educators, scholars, and leaders dedicated to serving society. The program combines the fundamentals of a liberal arts education – including self-reflection, critical thinking, communication, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, and appreciation of the lived experiences of others – with the foundation of physical therapy as movement system experts. Together, the liberal arts and movement sciences provide the foundation needed for program graduates to serve in and impact the broader healthcare system.

“This past May, we graduated our first cohort of DPT students, marking a historic moment at North Central College with the awarding of the institution’s first-ever doctorate degrees,” said Dr. Mary Groll, dean of North Central’s School of Education and Health Sciences. “The feedback we have received from our students has been remarkable. It affirms that we have established a program that stands apart from others in our mission-based and learner-centric approach to supporting each individual student on their journey toward serving the broader community through movement.”

The 28-month program has a January start date, and offers a flexible, semi-self-paced and personalized approach to learning. The pass/no pass program is focused on mastery of knowledge and skill acquisition, not grades.

North Central is currently accepting applications for its Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for the class beginning in January 2027. The application deadline for this cohort is May 15, 2026, although applicants are encouraged to apply early in the application cycle. Interested applicants can learn more at northcentralcollege.edu/program/doctor-physical-therapy, and are also welcome to email northcentralpt@noctrl.edu with questions or to schedule an in-person or virtual visit.