Departments of Physical Therapy
Leading in PT Education and Research
Our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in Omaha and Phoenix offer an integrated curriculum to help students develop professional and clinical skills, as well as opportunities to support patients in underserved populations. We established the United States’ first entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at our Omaha campus in 1992. Today, you’ll find two unique physical therapy programs—in Omaha and Phoenix—that offer an integrated curriculum and technologically advanced lab and classroom spaces.
If you want to make a positive impact in healthcare while improving communities at home or around the world, we invite you to learn more about each program.
Degree Programs
Physical Therapy Residencies
The Creighton University Physical Therapy Residency Program gives residents specialized expertise to improve patients’ lives. Each residency provides quality clinical practice experiences and instruction—the kind that cultivates strong critical reasoning, value-centered teaching, and patient advocacy skills.
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PT Program (Omaha), per U.S. News & World Report
Graduation Rate for the Past 2 Years (Omaha)
Employment Rate for the Past 2 Years (Omaha)
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Physical Therapy Research
Both our Omaha and Phoenix locations include a Rehabilitation Science Research Lab, which exists to improve the overall rehabilitation process, the health and wellness of patients, and the education of rehabilitation scientists.
Adaptive Yoga Program
Resources for Clinical Education Sites
Our current clinical educators can access important forms and guidelines below:
Rights and Privileges for CCCEs and CIs
The rights and privileges of clinical education faculty are focused primarily on education. The APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program Level 1 and Level 2 are offered at discounted rates to SCCEs and CIs. Clinical sites who offer clinical experiences in a specific calendar year are also offered the privilege of access to our Health Sciences library resources, including access to many peer reviewed journals. Other rights and responsibilities related to participation in Creighton’s Clinical Education program are outlined in the site agreement.
If you have questions, please reach out:
Omaha
Lauren Plum, PT, DPT, OCS
Director of Clinical Education – Omaha
Assistant Professor
402.280.2245
PTClinicalEDucation@creighton.edu
Phoenix
Kimberly Somers, PT, DPT, OCS
Director of Clinical Education – Phoenix
Assistant Professor
602.812.3136
PTClinicalEDucation@creighton.edu
I am excited to introduce you to the vibrant and innovative community that exists at Creighton University's physical therapy programs. As you explore your future in physical therapy, it’s important to know that you’re considering a program with a rich history, an unwavering commitment to excellence and a legacy of innovation that sets us apart as leaders in the profession. Since graduating the first class of students from our Omaha program in 1996, Creighton has proudly educated over 1,500 alumni, and the Omaha program is currently ranked #8 among all accredited physical therapy programs recognized by U.S. News and World Report.
A Legacy of Leadership: The First Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the Nation
We pride ourselves on being innovators in the profession of physical therapy. Established as the first Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the United States, our Omaha program has consistently set the standard for excellence in physical therapy education. Educating across the learner continuum is a strength of our program, including 6 residency programs in orthopedics, geriatrics, neurology, pediatrics, women’s health and sports medicine.
World-Class Faculty
Our faculty are at the heart of what makes Creighton’s physical therapy programs truly exceptional. Comprised of nationally recognized scholars, expert clinicians and dedicated educators, our faculty bring a wealth of expertise and a passion for teaching to the program. Their leadership extends beyond the classroom, as they actively contribute to the advancement of physical therapy through leadership in various roles of the American Physical Therapy Association and research in diverse areas from rehabilitation science to education research to community engagement. As a student in our Omaha program, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from and work alongside these leaders, gaining insights that will shape your future career.
Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation
Creighton University is not just about preserving a legacy; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in physical therapy. Our commitment to research is evident in the innovative research projects led by our faculty with students, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. From exploring new rehabilitation techniques to advance our understanding of human movement in older adults, infants and children, athletes and those with vestibular dysfunction, the research conducted here is at the forefront of the profession. As a student, you’ll be encouraged to engage in research, contributing to the knowledge base of physical therapy while honing your analytical and clinical reasoning abilities.
A Commitment to Service and Community Engagement
Service is a cornerstone of the Creighton experience. We believe that the role of a physical therapist extends beyond the clinic and into the community. Our program is deeply rooted in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition of service, and we provide numerous opportunities for you to apply your skills in real-world settings, both locally and globally. Whether through our international experience at the Institute for Latin American Concern, community outreach programs including the Monen Healthcare clinic, or our Creighton Abilities basketball camp, you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful impact while gaining invaluable experience.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Physical Therapy
Choosing Creighton University means choosing to be part of a program with a bold vision for the future. Here, you’ll not only receive an education that prepares you to excel in your career, but you’ll also become part of a community dedicated to improving the lives of others through compassionate care, innovative research and a commitment to service.
We look forward to welcoming you to Creighton University and supporting you on your journey to becoming a leader in physical therapy.
Jennifer Furze, PT, DPT, FAPTA
Professor
Interim PT Department Chair
The Creighton University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program-Phoenix program is an integral part of Creighton University’s Phoenix Health Science Campus. It incorporates the Ignation values, and we're developing doctors of physical therapy dedicated to serving the community and becoming leaders in our profession.
While we are a new program, we have the benefit of building upon the many successes and rich history of our established sibling program in Omaha. The Creighton University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Omaha was the first doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the U.S., and is currently ranked #8 in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Our two programs possess a common mission, commitment to excellence, commitment to service, and curriculum.
The curriculum is designed to create master adaptive learners with strong clinical reasoning skills who think critically, practice interprofessionally, serve the community and excel as leaders of our profession.
The program is housed in the state-of-the-art 194,000-square-foot Creighton University Phoenix Health Science Campus building located in the Phoenix Medical Quarter. This building was designed to promote interactive and interdisciplinary learning for future clinicians in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant. Highlights include a 4,100-square-foot, fully equipped rehabilitation laboratory, a 5,100-square-foot anatomy lab, an acute care lab, large simulation and standardized patient suites, two well-equipped PT research laboratories, many small group meeting spaces, and a bookstore.
In addition to the strong clinical partnerships that have been established by our sibling program, the program has built relationships with high quality clinical partners in Arizona, the Southwest and across the country. This includes being part of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance that allows us to form close partnerships with Dignity St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Valleywise Health, and District Medical Group, Inc. These academic clinical partnerships enable Creighton-Phoenix to provide high quality clinical education, clinical expertise in the classroom, transformative research and impactful service.
I look forward to welcoming you to Creighton University in Phoenix.
Sincerely,
James V. Lynskey, PT, PhD
Chair, Associate Professor
Department of Physical Therapy - Phoenix
Omaha Program Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Telephone: 703.706.3245
E-mail: accreditation@apta.org
Website: https://www.capteonline.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 402.280.2950 or email: PTaccreditation@creighton.edu.
Complaints that fall outside of due process should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Furze, Interim Physical Therapy Program Department Chair, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, at jenniferfurze@creighton.edu or Dr. Paul Price, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Administration, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, at paulprice@creighton.edu. Retaliation following complaint submission is prohibited.
For complaints involving program accreditation and violation of accreditation standards, please follow the following policy.
Phoenix Program Accreditation Status
Effective November 2, 2021, Creighton University – Phoenix Health Sciences Campus has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 602.812.3131 or email jameslynskey@creighton.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website).
Complaints that fall outside of due process should be directed to Dr. James Lynskey, Physical Therapy Department Chair - Phoenix, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, at jameslynskey@creighton.edu or Dr. Paul Price, Senior Associate Dean, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, at paulprice@creighton.edu. Retaliation following complaint submission is prohibited.
For complaints involving program accreditation and violation of accreditation standards, please follow the following policy.
Contact Us
402.280.2950
F: 402.280.5692
