AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College’s Physical Therapy Program has earned reaccreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), a distinction the program has held continuously for 40 years.

The 10-year accreditation was the culmination of a rigorous self-study review and an on-site visit to ensure the college’s physical therapy program demonstrates a continued commitment to CAPTE’s professional standards and guidelines.

“We are proud to have our program granted this prestigious accreditation, which is the hallmark of academic excellence in physical therapy education,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “To be continuously accredited is a testament to the dedication of our CAPTE accredits physical therapy professional education programs offered at the master’s and clinical doctoral levels by institutions across the United States and internationally. The accrediting agency is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Established in 1974, Daemen’s Physical Therapy Program is one of three institutions in the Buffalo Niagara region that hold CAPTE accreditation.

 “Continuing this national accreditation is a reflection of our legacy of providing a physical therapy program with the highest academic and professional standards,” said Dr. Greg Ford, chair of the physical therapy department. “Our program has been a leader in physical therapy education for 40 years with a reputation for developing the comprehensive knowledge and essential clinical skills that our students need to be successful health care practitioners.”

Daemen offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in natural science and a doctor of physical therapy in six years. A direct entry doctor of physical therapy degree is also available for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Classes are held in state-of-art physical therapy learning facilities housed in the college’s Academic and Wellness Center and also in newly updated space in Schenck Hall.

Daemen’s physical therapy students learn from experts in a range of specialties in the field, engage in faculty mentored clinical-based research, and have access to a variety of clinical experiences at hundreds of local and national sites, as well as an international site in Italy. Program graduates are known to excel on the National Physical Therapy Exam, with the ultimate licensure pass rate for Daemen graduates exceeding the national average.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 25 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Additional information on Daemen’s Physical Therapy Program is available by contacting Dr. Ford at gford@daemen.edu or 716-839-8345.