American Council of Academic Physical Therapy - ACAPT

08/21/2026

Don't leave your biggest institutional challenge on your to-do list.

ELEVATE is a 12-month leadership experience where you'll build practical leadership skills while advancing a real institutional initiative alongside faculty mentors and peers.

Register today: https://acapt.org/news/news-detail/2026/08/07/acapt-launches-elevate--a-new-leadership-experience-designed-to-transform-physical-therapy-education

Lead Change.

Build Teams.

Advance Your Institution.

Learn more with Dr. Kahl and Dr. Seils: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mkPekHd2Bo&t=20s

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/20/2026

The inaugural Physical Therapy Clinical Innovation Conference, hosted by the UNC Wilmington Doctor of Physical Therapy program is next week, August 28–30.

Bringing together physical therapists, rehabilitation clinicians, educators, administrators, and industry partners, the conference will explore emerging therapeutic interventions, clinical technologies, new operational models, and innovations shaping patient care. Attendees can also earn up to 14 contact hours.

For academic physical therapy, conversations like these matter. Preparing the next generation of PTs requires strong connections between what we teach, what research tells us, and how care is evolving in clinical practice.

Explore the conference and register: https://www.uncw.edu/academics/colleges/chhs/schools/health-applied-human-sciences/ptic/

08/20/2026

New Federal Accreditation Rule Proposed

The U.S. Department of Education has released a proposed rule that could reshape the federal framework for higher education accreditation.

For DPT programs, accreditation is essential to educational quality, clinical preparation, professional licensure, and the future healthcare workforce. ACAPT is reviewing the proposal and monitoring its potential impact on academic physical therapy.

Public comments are due September 21, 2026.

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-proposed-rule-overhaul-and-improve-americas-higher-education-accreditation-system

08/19/2026

ACAPT invites you to an interactive virtual workshop where you’ll learn how to turn a short reading or course material into a customized LLM-based tutor for your students.

Together, we’ll guide you through creating an AI tutor that can offer targeted hints, clarify misconceptions, and support deeper student engagement.

No coding or prior AI experience needed.

📅 September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual

https://acapt.org/news/news-detail/2026/08/10/the-faculty-multiplier--building-a-more-reliable-ai-tutor-you-can-use-on-monday

08/18/2026

Have a voice in ACAPT’s future!

ACAPT’s 2026 proposed bylaw changes are now available for member review. Join us at our upcoming August Town Hall to learn more about the proposed changes, ask questions, and find out how to submit comments and feedback before ELC.

Then, make your voice count: Members will vote on the proposed changes during the ACAPT Business Meeting at in Washington, DC.

Review the proposed bylaws and register for the Town Hall: https://acapt.org/news/news-detail/2026/07/27/join-us-at-our-august-town-hall

We thank Prompt Health for their support for ACAPT. Visit their site for more information: https://www.prompthealth.com/practice-type/universities

08/17/2026

Volunteer at ELC! Help make this year’s conference a success while connecting with colleagues from across academic physical therapy. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or an ELC regular, volunteering is a great way to get more involved.

📍 Washington, DC
📅 October 16–18, 2026

Ready to be part of it?

Sign up today: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SHbxCRwKhiwTVsPbrieGX4WKGMdmf6vcCVlNA575Wvg/edit?gid=0 =0

08/15/2026

ACAPT celebrates Dr. Faith Rose, the first graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga–Siskin Hospital Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program. Residency programs like this strengthen clinical expertise, foster leadership, and expand access to specialized, evidence-based care.

Story credit: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga News
Read more:

When Dr. Faith Rose received her framed certificate as the first graduate of the Siskin Hospital-University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, the applause was for more than one graduate. The graduation ceremony, held Thursday, July 30, at Siskin Hospital for P...

08/14/2026

Bring your BIGGEST challenge to ELEVATE.

ELEVATE is a 12-month leadership experience where you'll build practical leadership skills while advancing a real institutional initiative alongside faculty mentors and peers.

Led by nationally recognized educators Dr. Dana Kahl and Dr. Michael Seils, participants also receive a 50% discount on Educational Leadership Conference registration.

Listen to our newest episode of FlexCast to learn how ELEVATE is unique and tailored just for you: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/acapt-flexcast-conversations-in-academic-physical-therapy/id1862153884

Register for ELEVATE: https://acapt.org/news/news-detail/2026/08/07/acapt-launches-elevate--a-new-leadership-experience-designed-to-transform-physical-therapy-education

08/13/2026

Save on registration!

Early-bird pricing for the 2026 Education Leadership Conference (ELC) ends September 16. Register now to secure your discounted rate and join the academic physical therapy community in Washington, D.C., this October!

Clinicians: If you spend 50% or more of your time in a clinical setting, you may also qualify for a special reduced registration rate.

Register: https://www.xcdsystem.com/elc/program/1ir20mQ/index.cfm?pgid=3175

08/12/2026

Join ACAPT for a hands-on virtual workshop where you’ll learn how to transform a short reading or course resource into a customized LLM tutor for your students.

You’ll build, test, and refine your tutor to provide effective hints, address misconceptions, and keep students engaged in the learning process.

No coding or advanced AI experience required.

📅 September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual

Bring a course resource and a learning challenge. Leave with an AI tutor you built yourself.

Register: https://acapt.org/news/news-detail/2026/08/10/the-faculty-multiplier--building-a-more-reliable-ai-tutor-you-can-use-on-monday