Why Students Love Sac State's DPT Program
Hands-On Experience Through Community Clinics Students gain invaluable real-world experience through our pro bono clinics, including REACH and specialty clinics in orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, and geriatrics. These clinics not only prepare students for clinical rotations but also allow them to give back to the community—providing care to individuals who might not otherwise have access to healthcare.
Supportive Faculty and Alumni Network Our faculty are approachable, passionate, and dedicated to student success. They treat students as equals and provide mentorship every step of the way. Alumni remain actively involved, from serving on interview panels to assisting in courses and patient care, creating a strong professional network for our graduates.
With a small cohort, students build lasting friendships and enjoy a collaborative learning environment. The program fosters a sense of family through social events like Halloween parties, bake-offs, and spirit weeks, making the rigorous journey enjoyable and supportive.
Sacramento State offers one of the most affordable DPT programs in California, along with scholarships and grants that make achieving your doctorate more attainable. Students appreciate being able to focus on learning rather than financial stress.
Our program boasts high NPTE pass rates and a strong reputation among clinical sites. Employers often note that Sac State graduates enter their first clinical rotations more prepared than most, thanks to our comprehensive curriculum and early hands-on experience.
Located in the heart of Sacramento, our campus offers the perfect balance of city life and nature. Students enjoy a beautiful, tree-filled campus and easy access to outdoor activities, all while staying close to family and support systems.
In Their Own Words
“Sac State won me over because of the personable faculty and strong alumni presence.”
“The community clinics were a non-negotiable for me—they align with my passion for serving underserved populations.”
“I chose Sac State for affordability, but I stayed for the camaraderie and support.”
“The faculty truly care about us and prepare us to succeed in every setting.”
“I chose Sacramento State as my top choice as soon as I learned about the community clinic elective included in the program. The clinic’s mission to provide care for individuals who might not qualify for paid healthcare deeply resonated with me. Growing up in a rural city, I saw how limited access to medical services can affect a community, which makes this kind of outreach especially meaningful to me. My experience volunteering at a clinic with a similar goal showed me the profound difference that compassionate, accessible care can make and strengthened my commitment to serving communities like the one I come from.”
“Sac State won me over in the interview process because of how personable and down to earth the faculty were. It truly felt natural and more of a conversation than formal interview. Another aspect that was intriguing was how involved the alumni base was in the program. Alumni presence is strongly felt throughout the program from being in the interview panel, assisting in courses, and being present in patient care portions. The program has a large emphasis on patient care and having incorporated community clinic was a non-negotiable component I wanted in a program.”
“I chose Sacramento State for a few meaningful reasons. First, it’s in my hometown, and I knew I wanted to stay close to my support system while going through such a challenging program. I was also really drawn to the pro bono clinics. Not only do they give students valuable hands-on experience working with real patients, but they also serve the community, which is something I care about deeply. From the very start, the students I met during the interview process were incredibly welcoming and transparent, which made me feel like this was the right place for me. My experience since starting the program has only confirmed that. The faculty are extremely supportive and dedicated to helping us truly understand concepts, and the pro bono clinics prepare us well for real-world practice. I’ve even heard from PTs in the field that Sac State students often enter clinicals more prepared than most. Finally, one of the best parts of this program is my cohort. Being part of a small group has allowed me to build friendships that I know will last long after graduation. The program also makes an effort to bring everyone together with fun activities like Halloween parties, bake-offs, barbecues, and spirit week. All of these things combined have made Sac State feel like the perfect place for me to grow as a future physical therapist.”
"The reason I chose Sac State was purely practicality. The reason I stayed at Sac State and would encourage anyone else to come, is far deeper than the practicality.
“Sac State is on the inexpensive side when looking through PT schools, especially in California. I am from Stockton, and wanted to build a future for myself that wouldn’t start with repaying my debts for eternity. I went to Sac State for undergrad, knew the NPTE pass rates were high, and thought it was a no brainer.”
“Then I looked at what Sac State has done for the community, why all the faculty stay until retirement, and felt the support from my faculty who treated me as equals. In a vigorous program, it is easy to believe you’re less than your peers. But Sac State’s faculty and staff make it a priority to take an open-minded approach that not only do they understand what you’re going through, but they will also catch you when you fall.”
“In short, I chose Sac State to save money and gain my degree, but I stayed at Sac State for the camaraderie and support. I also have the best class of all.”
“My top priority when choosing programs were location, cost, and accreditation and Sac State's program checked all those boxes. I'm super thankful I can stay close to family and have a good support system while pursing my dream!”
“I chose Sac State originally for the lower price, small cohort size, and location close to home. I was also drawn in by the many pro bono clinic opportunities available for students. I wanted to find a school where I felt like I belonged, where I knew all my peers and faculty, and they knew me, a place where I felt safe to make mistakes and be comfortable asking questions. Sac State gave me that vibe during my interview, even though my interview took place on zoom. And I was right, to this day, I feel like I am exactly where I need to be.”
“I chose Sac State because I love the campus and the small cohort size. Sac State was my first choice for PT school, and I’m so happy that I was accepted into the program”
"I chose Sacramento State's DPT program for many reasons!”
“This program is relatively more affordable than other DPT programs in addition to all the scholarships they have to offer to students! It's close to home for me as I grew up in Sacramento my whole life! There is so much to do in Sacramento if you need a study break from downtown city life all the way to nature spots, both of which are not too far from campus!”
“I went to Sacramento State for undergrad and was deeply passionate about their DPT program as a next step in my academic career. The faculty here are experts in their respective fields, representing a wide range of specialties such as sports, orthopedics, acute care, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, and more. Having the opportunity to learn from and engage with these specialists allowed me to gain valuable insights into the various subfields and practice settings within physical therapy, broadening my understanding of the profession. The faculty and staff are also very approachable and personable as they are always open to conversations with their students regarding academics or just getting to know me as a person!”
“The academic rigor of this program was another major factor that drew me in. The curriculum is thoughtfully structured to ensure that, by the time you begin your clinical rotations, you have a solid foundation and a broad understanding of every practice setting, fully preparing you for real-world clinical experiences."
“The reason I chose Sac State was mainly due to the fact that it was so close to home and I would be able to save money by not having to rent out a place. On top of that, I went here for undergrad and really enjoyed the campus and the professors. Finally, I heard a lot of good things about the program and the professors in general from people that had gone through the program!”
“I chose Sacramento State because of its strong reputation and excellent licensure exam results. What really stood out to me were the pro bono community clinics. Now that I’m part of the program and get to work in those clinics, I can see how they not only help the community but also prepare us for clinical rotations by allowing us to apply what we learn in class. I also appreciate that Sac State has smaller class sizes, which makes it easier to connect with classmates and professors. The professors here are incredibly supportive and passionate about teaching; they truly care about their students and always make themselves available to help students succeed. Another big factor for me was affordability; Sac State is one of the most affordable DPT programs in California, which allows me to focus more on learning and less on financial stress.”
“I chose Sacramento State because it was close to home and it has a lot of incredible opportunities that allow us to learn and apply skills, while also giving back to the community. It is so fun to interact and learn alongside a cohort that is just as passionate about the material and using this material to help others. Sacramento State is a beautiful campus, especially in the Fall, and there are plenty of places to explore and study. It feels like a family here and while you are thrown into the whirlwind of school quite fast, you have lots of cohort and faculty support, as well as resources for anything you might need.”
“I choose Sacramento State because of its amazing reputation with professors, NPTE passing rate, and small cohort size! Because my undergrad experience was with my major classes being no more than 35-40 people, this was a very important factor I was looking for in DPT programs. The professors in this program I knew were excellent before starting but actually being in class I am always reminded how grateful I am to receive some of the best education from well-known/renowned educators in their fields/specialty."
“Several factors influenced my decision to attend Sac State's Physical therapy program! First one, cost of attendance and the existence of the DPT grant made achieving my doctorate significantly more attainable than attending a private university, a UC, or even other CSU's with higher cost of living. Secondly, the ability to meet current students, faculty, and staff at the interview day was an amazing insight into the supportive, student-centered environment that has been established within Sac State's DPT program. Thirdly, the abundant clinical opportunities that are built into the curriculum here are unlike any other PT program I applied to. The program runs several student clinics, allowing us to directly serve the community via the REACH clinic, orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, and pediatric community clinics. These opportunities give students hands on experience to refine skills acquired didactically before we go onto our full-time clinical rotations beginning the summer semester of our 2nd year. This often means we are significantly more prepared than other DPT students to enter our first clinical rotation, leading to better performance and an incredible reputation within the surrounding PT communities. Lastly, I was drawn in by the city of Sacramento and the lush green Sac state campus, home to over 50 species of local California trees.”
“I chose Sacramento State’s DPT program because of the incredible opportunities to work directly with patients and give back to the community through REACH and other community clinics. From day one, I felt the support of the program faculty and staff truly care about our growth and success. The welcoming environment and strong mentorship make it easy to stay motivated and confident. Our professors go above and beyond to help us pursue our passions, connect us with valuable resources, and encourage us to become advocates for our patients and community, as well as leaders within the profession.”
“I began my educational journey at Sacramento State as an undergraduate, and it quickly became my first home away from home. Sac State gave me the freedom to establish my own identity as a young adult and still be close enough to visit my family, whom I am close with. I chose this DPT program because this university has given me so many opportunities throughout the years, and this city truly feels like home. It’s an added bonus that the program is so well-renowned and offers such an excellent educational experience.”