UT San Antonio's Doctor of Physical Therapy program climbs national rankings

The program moved up 45 spots, placing it among the top third of programs nationwide.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Texas at San Antonio's (UT San Antonio) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has significantly improved its national ranking, moving up 45 spots to now rank 87th in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report. This milestone comes as the School of Health Professions celebrates its 50th anniversary, reflecting five decades of excellence in education, research, and community impact.

Why it matters

The demand for physical therapy services is expected to rise rapidly over the next decade, driven by an aging population, increasing rates of chronic disease, expanded access to care, and the growing role of physical therapy in prevention and recovery. This recognition of UT San Antonio's DPT program highlights its ability to meet this growing need and produce highly qualified, practice-ready clinicians.

The details

UT San Antonio's DPT program has a 10-year record of 100% employment and 100% overall licensure pass rate, with 94% of graduates passing the national licensure exam on their first attempt. The curriculum includes 34 weeks of full-time clinical affiliations, offering hands-on experience in various specialties, and emphasizes interprofessional collaborative care and Texas' direct-access practice model.

  • UT San Antonio's School of Health Professions is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
  • The physical therapy program moved up 45 spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The players

Bradley Tragord

Chair and program director for the Department of Physical Therapy at the UT San Antonio School of Health Professions.

David Shelledy

Dean of the School of Health Professions at UT San Antonio.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our Department of Physical Therapy program improved 34.1% in this national ranking, shifting us the top third of Physical Therapy programs in the country.”

— Bradley Tragord, Chair and program director for the Department of Physical Therapy

“This recognition reflects five decades of excellence in education, research and community impact. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are proud to see our programs continue to rise nationally while preparing for the next generation of health professionals to meet our community's growing needs.”

— David Shelledy, Dean of the School of Health Professions

What’s next

The institutional merger between UT San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio is expected to further strengthen opportunities for students and the broader health care workforce, including stronger pipeline benefits, more interdisciplinary teaching and research opportunities, and the ability to build innovative programs at the intersection of various fields.

The takeaway

UT San Antonio's Doctor of Physical Therapy program has demonstrated its ability to produce highly qualified, practice-ready clinicians, positioning it to meet the growing demand for physical therapy services in the years ahead. This recognition of the program's excellence is a testament to the School of Health Professions' commitment to advancing education, research, and community impact over the past five decades.