To become successful physical therapists, graduates need to be confident, autonomous practitioners. The clinical education you'll receive as a Doctor of Physical Therapy student is recognized nationally for its contemporary and innovative approach to hands-on learning. To enhance your breadth of clinical skills, you will learn in several different practice settings, completing at least one clinical experience outside of Colorado and one rural experience. These experiences ensure you leave Regis with the real-world knowledge you need to land your dream job and succeed at it, too!
The Global Health Pathway (GHP) at Regis University prepares you to address health challenges across diverse populations. Whether you learn locally in Denver and across Colorado, or abroad in Guatemala, Tanzania and Peru, you will gain perspective for a more meaningful health care career. Visit GHP to learn more about the application process.
DPT students can complete clinical rotations at leading rehabilitation centers in Italy, gaining hands-on experience in neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary care alongside European clinicians. This immersive experience builds clinical skills, cultural competence and a global perspective that prepares you for diverse health care settings.
Students in the School of Rehabilitative and Health Sciences collaborate with faculty and peers on research that explores real questions in health and rehabilitation. By participating in study design, data collection and analysis and interpreting findings, you’ll build strong skills in evidence-based decision making and critical thinking for today’s health care jobs.
The DPT program integrates dry needling instruction across six semesters, giving graduates the clinical competency to use this high-demand skill from day one of licensure. Through formalized course work, you'll learn to identify trigger points, assess soft tissue, apply clinical decision making and deliver evidence-based treatment across diverse patient populations. The curriculum meets Colorado licensure requirements and builds a foundation for multi-state practice, distinguishing Regis graduates in a competitive job market.
Regis partners with leading organizations to offer specialized training in animal rehabilitation, expanding physical therapy practice to include canine and equine populations. Courses cover assessment techniques, treatment interventions and clinical decision-making for companion animals, giving licensed physical therapists a path to canine rehabilitation certification and introducing DPT students to a growing specialty area. Career opportunities include veterinary specialty practices, animal rehabilitation clinics and integrative veterinary care settings.
DPT students can help raise service dogs for Canine Companions for Independence, an experience that extends Regis' commitment to service into the broader community. Working in teams under the guidance of faculty members, students train puppies in commands and foundational skills that will one day help individuals with disabilities live more independently. The puppies advance to formal service-dog training at around 18 months, and their time on campus deepens students' understanding of rehabilitation and service-dog work, while the puppies become beloved members of the DPT community.
Matthew McLean, PT, DPT, 2025"[Our students] get to take the knowledge that they learn in school and apply that in the real world to patients that they'll see in the future."
Every Regis DPT student is paired with a Clinical Advisor. With over 450 clinical placement opportunities in more than 32 states and international locations, your Clinical Advisor will help you choose the clinical opportunities that meet both your professional aspirations and licensure requirements. Whether you are interested in exploring urban or rural settings, seeking experiences close to home or across the country, pursuing specialized practice areas or balancing clinical education with personal obligations, your advisor will ensure you thrive.
Each clinical site is supported by a dedicated Clinical Education Team member. This structure helps ensure consistent communication and a supportive learning environment for students. By working closely with clinical partners, the team aligns student experiences with program goals so you receive meaningful, well-coordinated clinical education that prepares you for professional practice.
Director of Clinical Education and Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Clinical Education Administrative Coordinator
The Clinical Education Scholar Program (CESP) provides clinical instructors, site coordinators of clinical education and alumni with additional support in mentoring current physical therapy students in their clinical settings. The CESP allows students to foster a close relationship with our clinical faculty and provides student experiences that are aligned with our curriculum and mission. Clinical faculty members who mentor one or two students per year can qualify for a range of benefits, from library access to tuition credit in the Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy program.
Interested in CESP?
Submit the application or contact the Clinical Education Administrative Coordinator with questions.
The School of Rehabilitative and Health Sciences offers APTA Level I and Level II Credentialed Clinical Instructor Training, along with other clinical faculty opportunities for professional continuing education.