University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a graduate institution focused on health sciences education.^[1] USAHS offers a range of entry-level and post-professional degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing and health administration.^[2] It focuses on educating healthcare professionals through a combination of lab and classroom instruction, clinical training and online learning.^[1]

The university is now owned by Perdoceo Education Corporation.^[3]

It operates five campuses located in San Marcos, California; St. Augustine and Miami, Florida; and Austin and Dallas Texas.^[4]

USAHS entry-level, first-professional degrees include Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) for the field of physical therapy, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) for the discipline of occupational therapy, and the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) for speech-language pathology. Graduate post-professional programs include the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nursing, the Master of Health Administration (MHA), Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree (PPOTD) and Doctor of Education (EdD). These programs are offered by the university to provide education and training in various health care disciplines. The university also offers continuing education Seminars, graduate certificates and certifications for licensed healthcare professionals.

The school that ultimately became the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1979 by Stanley V. Paris as the Institute of Physical Therapy. Paris retired from USAHS in 2007.^[5]

In 1997, the school officially became "The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences." It purchased a small private hospital and an adjoining 26 acres of land at the Flagler Health Park Campus in St. Augustine, creating its current St. Augustine campus.^[6]

In 2007, USAHS expanded to California, opening a campus in San Diego. The university also completed work on a 98,000-square-foot academic and clinic building at the St. Augustine campus.^[7] Two years later, the San Diego campus moved to San Marcos, California.^[8]

In 2012, the university opened its third campus, a new location in Austin, Texas.^[9] The following year, Laureate International Universities acquired a majority interest in USAHS.^[10] Three years later, it opened a campus in Miami, Florida.^[11]

Altas Partners, a Canadian long-term private equity firm, purchased USAHS from Laureate in 2019.^[12] Shortly thereafter, USAHS opened its fifth location in Dallas, Texas.^[13]

On December 2, 2024, Perdoceo Education Corporation paid a cash consideration of approximately $138M (net of cash acquired) at closing to acquire 100% ownership of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.^[14]

USAHS is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.^[15]

USAHS is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The university first received accreditation from WSCUC in 2014 and received reaffirmation in 2019. ^[16]

The university holds programmatic accreditation for specific academic programs. These accreditations are maintained on a campus-by-campus basis through accrediting bodies.

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree (MOT) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).^[17]

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree (OTD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).^[17]

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy Flex, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Hybrid Immersion programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on a campus-by-campus basis.^[18]

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology {residential Austin, TX; satellite Dallas, TX; satellite San Marcos, CA; satellite St. Augustine, FL; all distance education} at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.^[19]

Clinical Orthopaedic Residency (OCS)

USAHS’ Clinical Orthopaedic Residency (OCS) is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in orthopaedic clinical practice. The OCS program was accredited by ABPTRFE in 2016.^[20]

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).^[21]

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).^[21]

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate (FNP and PMHNP)

The Post-Graduate NP Certificate program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).^[21]

Continuing Professional Education

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.  IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.^[22]

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.^[23]

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers.^[24]

• Sarah Levy (born 1995), Olympic bronze medalist, rugby union and rugby sevens player

• Official website

29°51′49″N 81°18′53″W / 29.86361°N 81.31472°W / 29.86361; -81.31472