UCF Physical Therapy

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UCF Physical Therapy Welcome to the Official UCF Doctor of Physical Therapy page. The program requires a total of 36 weeks of full-time clinical training.

Learn more about admissions, faculty news, alumni updates, student highlights, PT news, and more! The mission of the University of Central Florida’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to cultivate excellence in physical therapist practice through comprehensive and focused doctoral education. The program fosters excellence through its dedication to foundational sciences, clinical skill proficiency, research and evidence-based practice, service and professional duty, and lifelong learning. The program is committed to the development and strengthening of the healthcare community in order to optimize patient care in the dynamic healthcare environment. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is a full-time professional doctoral program requiring completion of 114 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. The course work is taken in a prescribed sequence over nine semesters as provided here and all course work is required. During the clinical affiliations, students work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Congratulations to our students, faculty, and alumni recently recognized at the Florida Physical Therapy Association Ann...
09/29/2026

Congratulations to our students, faculty, and alumni recently recognized at the Florida Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference!

Outstanding Academic Faculty Award: Professor William Hanney

Outstanding Clinical Instructor: Wiliam Carroll '14DPT

Outstanding Clinicians: Clayton Stocker '17DPT, Kyle Reedy '19DPT

Outstanding Student: Ashley Pietz

Best Abstract Award - Student category: Esperanza Otero, Alexandra Lobozzo, Jocelyn Ruiz, Chloe Renner (with Associate Professor Nicole Dawson Loughran, faculty mentor)

And a big thank you to our amazing student volunteers!

Check out this INCREDIBLE lineup of nationally renowned speakers! Join us to explore new frontiers in nutrition and exer...
09/22/2026

Check out this INCREDIBLE lineup of nationally renowned speakers! Join us to explore new frontiers in nutrition and exercise metabolism and learn more about transforming health through physical activity.

🚨 Don't wait - early bird pricing for the Annual IEPRS Conference ends this Friday, Sept. 25.

View the complete schedule and register for discounted rates now at: https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/skrs/institute/conference/

09/15/2026

🚨DEADLINE EXTENDED !! There’s still time to apply for our Social Media Ambassador program! ⌚
 
As a Ambassador, you’ll create exciting content showcasing your journey to becoming a healthcare professional, highlighting academic programs, research, technology and life at CHPS, all while building your professional brand and gaining hands-on experience in digital media.

Learn more and apply by Sept. 28th at the link in bio!

Vroom! Lots of smiles today!
09/10/2026

Vroom! Lots of smiles today!

Register now to learn from the leaders in sports medicine! Early bird registration for the sixth annual Institute of Ex...
09/10/2026

Register now to learn from the leaders in sports medicine! Early bird registration for the sixth annual Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science conference is now open!

Don’t miss your chance to hear from nationally recognized speakers, network with other industry professionals, and tour our labs.

✔ CEUs available for PTs, PTAs and Athletic Trainers
👩🏽‍🏫 In-person and 🖥 virtual option
💲 Early bird discount until September 25

Check out the schedule and register at https://healthprofessions.ucf.edu/skrs/institute/conference/

09/03/2026

We know healthcare is better with a team-based, collaborative approach.

A curriculum-embedded interprofessional education (IPE) program for CHPS students will be piloted this year to help our students prepare for careers with exactly this in mind.

This program kicked off last week with a social event complete with pizza, IPE bingo and a visit from Knightro. The goal for students was to learn about the roles and responsibilities of their peers in other health disciplines and communicate collaboratively and effectively.

What’s ahead for the program? We’ll introduce healthcare delivery topics such as social determinants of health and trauma-informed care, focusing on how these topics support patient care, and how interprofessional collaborative practice can further improve health outcomes.

We're pleased to welcome this year's neurologic and sports residents! The collaboration between UCF and Orlando Health o...
08/28/2026

We're pleased to welcome this year's neurologic and sports residents! The collaboration between UCF and Orlando Health offers advanced training and mentorship for physical therapists, helping them develop skills and knowledge in an area of specialized care to better serve patients in our region and beyond. Charge On!

From left to right:
Clinical Associate Professor Morris "Rick" Beato (Neurologic Residency Program Director)
McKenna Reedy, '26 (neurologic resident)
Sophie Lane (sports resident)
Carlie Rucks, '26 (neurologic resident)
J.C. Scott (sports resident)
Kaitlyn Campbell, '26 (neurologic resident)
Meredith Chaput (Sports Residency Research Coordinator)

Hello, high performers! We're proud to share that the Class of 2026 had an impressive 97.3% first time pass rate on the ...
08/17/2026

Hello, high performers! We're proud to share that the Class of 2026 had an impressive 97.3% first time pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam, once again bringing in a mean score above the national average. Charge On!

Congratulations to our latest UCF and Orlando Health residency program graduates!We’re so proud to fuel this pipeline of...
08/14/2026

Congratulations to our latest UCF and Orlando Health residency program graduates!

We’re so proud to fuel this pipeline of competent and compassionate physical therapists who demonstrate advanced clinical skills and a commitment to improving the quality of life for patients in our community.

Congratulations are also in order for the clinicians named Outstanding Mentors for their program!

Together, they’re helping shape the future of PT.

⭐Graduates:
Sarah McLennan - Neurology
Gabriela Rodriguez - Neurology
Maya Edwards - Orthopedics
Maysam Kermalli - Orthopedics
Bransyl Boston - Pelvic and Women’s Health
Ashleigh Ditmyer - Pelvic and Women’s Health
Tsianna Barnwell (not pictured) - Sports
Alvaro Zapata - Sports

🏆 Outstanding Mentors:
Orthopedics: Simon Brossier, Orlando Health
Neurology: Marissa Conrad, Orlando Health
Pelvic and Women’s Health: Katie Coleman, Orlando Health (not pictured)
Sports: Lee Spilman, Orlando Health (not pictured)

Associate professor of physical therapy Nicole Dawson Loughran brought her expertise in geriatric rehabilitation and per...
08/10/2026

Associate professor of physical therapy Nicole Dawson Loughran brought her expertise in geriatric rehabilitation and person-centered dementia care to the 2026 VISN 8 Annual Dementia Conference on Aug. 5–6 in Lake Nona.

She delivered the conference keynote, “Reimagining Dementia Care—Innovation, Humanity, & Workforce Readiness,” and presented three additional sessions focused on strength-based approaches, adapting interventions as dementia progresses, and using non-verbal communication and functional approaches to address resistance to activities of daily living.

Her presentations equipped VA clinicians and staff with practical, evidence-based strategies to better support Veterans living with dementia and their caregivers across care settings.

With more than 20 years of clinical experience as a geriatric physical therapist and a research focus on improving functional and psychosocial outcomes for older adults with dementia, Dawson Loughran is helping shape a more compassionate, person-centered approach to dementia care — while preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver it.

Address

12805 Pegasus Drive
Orlando, FL
32816

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14078233462

Website

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