University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

The journey of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) began in 1979 when Dr. Stanley V. Paris founded the Institute of Physical Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia. This marked the inception of what would become a leading institution dedicated to health sciences education. Initially focused on post-professional studies, the Institute was a pioneer, becoming the first independent, proprietary school in physical therapy authorized to confer a graduate degree, the Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT). A significant milestone occurred in 1991 when the Institute relocated to St. Augustine, Florida, establishing its presence at the Flagler Health Park campus. This move was soon followed by accreditation for its MScPT degree from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

The 1990s were a period of substantial growth and transformation. In 1994, the Institute introduced its first professional degree in physical therapy, the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT). Recognizing the expanding scope of its programs, the institution officially became the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 1997. This era also saw the establishment of the Institute of Occupational Therapy, offering a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. The early 2000s brought further expansion with the introduction of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. USAHS extended its geographical reach by opening a campus in San Diego, California, in 2007, which later moved to San Marcos in 2009. The university continued its expansion with new campuses in Austin, Texas (2012), Miami, Florida (2016), and Dallas, Texas. Ownership of USAHS has also evolved; Laureate International Universities acquired a majority interest in 2013, followed by Altas Partners in 2019, and most recently, Perdoceo Education Corporation acquired USAHS in December 2024. Today, USAHS is a graduate institution offering a range of degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, speech-language pathology, education, and health sciences, committed to developing professional healthcare practitioners through innovative and individualized education across its multiple campuses and online programs.