University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences history

In 1981, the Institute introduced a certification program in manual therapy wherein candidates, after taking a series of courses, were examined in their written, oral and practical abilities.

In 1992, the Institute started an advanced standing (post-professional) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

By 1994, it launched the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), the first professional degree in physical therapy to be offered by an independent, proprietary school of physical therapy.

First graduate school to operate year-round, admitting three classes per year and allowing faculty to specialize in a focused concentration -1995

Also in 1996-97, the University purchased a small private hospital and an adjoining twenty-six acres of land at the Flagler Health Park Campus in St Augustine, thus creating the University’s current St Augustine campus.

On March 4, 1997, the organization formally became the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences.

First to offer a dual degree in physical and occupational therapy – 2000

One of the first to offer the transitional DPT and later OTD thus enabling therapists with bachelors or master’s degrees to advance to the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctorate – 2001

USAHS received accreditation and licensure in 2004 to begin a Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Boca Raton, Florida.

USAHS San Marcos, CA campus On August 4, 2007, Doctor Michael Hillyard, DPA was inaugurated as the 2nd President of USAHS. The university celebrated the opening of the academic and clinic building along with the retirement of Doctor Paris and the inauguration of Doctor Hillyard.

The San Diego campus began offering the Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program in September 2008.

The San Diego campus moved to a 76,000 square foot 3-building corporate center in San Marcos, CA in January 2009.

The Flexible Doctor of Physical Therapy program was moved from Boca Raton, FL to the St Augustine, FL campus in 2010.

USAHS campus in Austin, TX On April 16, 2011, Doctor Wanda Nitsch, PT, PhD was inaugurated as the 4th President of the University.

In 2012, the University opened a third campus in Austin, Texas.

In 2013, Laureate International Universities acquired a majority interest in USAHS.

In 2015, USAHS opened its fourth campus in Miami, Florida.

In 2016, USAHS launched the Centers for Innovative Clinical Practice (CICP), multidisciplinary simulation centers that mimic real-life home, acute care, and clinical settings.