For over 70 years, the University of Colorado’s Physical Therapy Program has educated physical therapists to serve in the world of health care. The Program was the first civilian professional program situated in the Rocky Mountain region, awarding a certificate in Physical Therapy to its first class of six students in 1948.

The graduating classes of the Program have supplied over 2,000 new therapists, many of whom have contributed to, or continue to support the growth of physical therapy services in the Rocky Mountain region.

A Brief History of the CU Physical Therapy Program
A Tradition of Excellence in PT Education

1947 – University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program received initial accreditation from the Council of Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association and the American Physical Therapy Association
1948 – The first class graduated with a Certificate in Physical Therapy
1968 – 37 students earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy
1990 – 48 students earned a Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy in 24 months
2007 – 36 students earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT)
2010 – Reviewed for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in March 2010, receiving full and unconditional ten-year accreditation
2011 – The first students were accepted into the new Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program 
2012 – The first students were accepted into the new Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, overseen by JFK Partners
2016 – First year of graduation of a revised curriculum that includes a pre- and post-graduation yearlong internship of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree