25 Years of Achievement

In recognition of 25 years of graduates, we celebrate the community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and clinicians that have contributed to our program's enduring success.

25 years of achievement demonstrate the high-quality educational experience provided by the DPT Program at Chatham University:

  • Outcomes that meet or exceed the national average using a 7-semester curriculum*
    • 97% Licensure Exam Pass Rate (ultimate)
    • 93% Licensure Exam First Time Pass Rate
    • 97% Graduation Rate
    • 100% Employment Rate
  • Recent full 10-year re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Accreditation (through 2030)
  • Majority of full-time faculty active in clinical practice and maintain specialist certification in physical therapy
  • Multiple national awards for current faculty, from the American Physical Therapy Association, the APTA Academies of Education, Pediatric, Geriatric Physical Therapy, and APTA Pennsylvania
  • Student groups twice recognized by the Fred Rogers Good Neighbor Award for excellence in dedicated long-term volunteerism, United Way of Allegheny County
  • Over 30 motorized cars adapted for children with disabilities through the Chatham Go Baby Go club
  • Multiple alumni recognized as professional leaders, business owners, and holders of advanced degrees

*2019/2020 average

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"The education I received at Chatham allowed me to feel confident entering the post-acute healthcare realm. As a clinical instructor and business operator, I am always eager to work with current Chatham students. They are always prepared with problem-based learning experiences and functional solutions, to provide the best quality treatments. I would recommend Chatham University to any and all students who dream of being the best of the best in the Physical Therapy space."

—Keely Kent, PT, DPT '07, RAC-CT, QCP, Vice President of Compliance and Clinical Services for Continuum Therapy Partners

"It is difficult to describe how well Chatham’s PT program prepared me for a career in physical therapy. Having close and open relationships with professors who had tremendous clinical knowledge helped me to go into clinical practice with confidence even when I was a new graduate. Chatham’s program also prepared me well for a career in academia, to teach the next generation of physical therapists and develop an exciting research agenda."

—Julie Stutzbach, PT, DPT '14, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado: Anschutz Medical Campus

"Chatham helped build my foundation needed to excel outside of the classroom. It is not just what they teach—it is how they teach. It is the self-directed learning and problem solving skills that have guided me through my continued professional growth."

—Jessica Homer PT, DPT '14, COMT, HMS, OCS, Operations Director for Hess Physical Therapy, Pittsburgh, PA

"I have been a clinical instructor for 16 years, and I am always happy to take Chatham students. The structure of their didactic material prepares them well for their clinical rotations. They are able to critically think outside of protocols and classification systems with less assistance from me, and they always carry themselves in a professional manner. As someone that hires clinical staff, I can attest that Chatham students possess a lot of the qualities employers are looking for in new grads and future employees."

—Martine Marino, MPT, COMT, Center Manager for NovaCare, Bethel Park, PA

"As an experienced clinical instructor to many physical therapy students over the years, Chatham DPT students stand out for their self-confidence, acuity, and self-driven nature to seek out answers in the face of uncertainty."

—Jeffrey S. Rothman, PT, DPT, OCS, Facility Director UPMC Centers for Rehab Services-Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA

"It's been a pleasure to partner with Chatham University's DPT program. Each student consistently arrives prepared to immediately engage in clinical care with strong clinical reasoning, examination, and treatment skills necessary to take on meaningful roles in the care delivery system at our clinics. Throughout the affiliation the Clinical Education Team provides oversight and support for both students and Clinical Instructors to ensure the experience meets set expectations."

—David P. Thompson, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, CCIP, AIB-VR, FDN-1, co-owner, Alliance Physical Therapy, Murrysville, PA