UT San Antonio Physical Therapy Program Vaults 45 Spots in National Rankings Amid 50th Anniversary

UT San Antonio’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program jumps 45 spots in national rankings as the School of Health Professions celebrates its 50th anniversary.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 14, 2026, 7:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Landmark Achievement for Clinical Excellence

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) School of Health Professions is marking its 50th anniversary with a significant leap in national stature. The institution's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program has ascended 45 positions in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, now securing the 87th spot nationwide. According to Bradley Tragord, the DPT program director, this 34.1 percent improvement places the department within the top third of all physical therapy programs in the United States, reflecting a half-century of growth in research and clinical training.

Meeting the Surge in Healthcare Labor Demand

This academic advancement coincides with a critical period for the healthcare workforce. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the demand for physical therapy is projected to rise by nearly 15 percent over the coming decade. The profession is expected to add approximately 13,200 new job openings annually to address the needs of an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Within Texas specifically, the workforce faces a dual challenge, as state health records suggest over 17 percent of current physical therapists will reach retirement age within the next ten years.

Superior Academic Outcomes and Licensure Success

The DPT program at UT San Antonio has established a rigorous benchmark for student performance, maintaining a 100 percent overall licensure pass rate and a 100 percent employment rate over the last decade. A notable 94 percent of its graduates pass the national licensure exam on their first attempt, significantly outperforming national averages for a test that often sees lower initial success rates. David Shelledy, Dean of the School of Health Professions, emphasized that these outcomes are the result of five decades of refined clinical training and a "family atmosphere" that prioritizes practice-ready leadership.