CEHD News Stories

George Mason University Partners with Shenandoah University to Create Admissions Process for Kinesiology Students Seeking a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree

September 21, 2026

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The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) has partnered with Shenandoah University to create a defined, streamlined process for granting priority status to five undergraduate students at George Mason University's Kinesiology Program for admission into Shenandoah University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Eligible students must obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology conferred by George Mason and meet all requirements as specified in the admissions agreement. Matriculation of the first group of George Mason students accepted for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program under this new process will take place in the fall of 2027. Students will be required to enroll on a full-time basis.

This partnership creates a transparent pathway from undergraduate education into graduate study and helps students understand the academic expectations of a competitive Doctor of Physical Therapy program earlier in their undergraduate careers. It also creates opportunities for continued dialogue about student preparation, evolving workforce needs, curriculum alignment, and future partnerships that can further expand educational opportunities across allied health professions. This will ensure that George Mason students continue to receive the preparation needed to be competitive applicants—not only for Shenandoah, but for physical therapy programs nationwide.

The admissions agreement between George Mason and Shenandoah is the outcome of a productive collaboration between faculty at both institutions. The faculty team involved in these discussions included Anne Blackstone, currently an assistant professor at Shenandoah, who received a PhD in Education with a concentration in Kinesiology from George Mason in 2024. She recently approached CEHD to explore the idea of establishing a partnership between both institutions for Shenandoah's physical therapy doctorate program. Blackstone, along with her colleague Aaron Hartstein, a Shenandoah professor who serves as director of that institution's Division of Physical Therapy, presented their perspective on what an articulation agreement with George Mason might look like. In doing so, they referred to similar agreements that Shenandoah presently enjoys with several regional universities in support of its Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Blackstone and Hartstein praised George Mason's Kinesiology Program, recognizing it as an excellent addition to the DPT network. They also cited George Mason's proximity to Shenandoah's Loudoun campus as ideal for Northern Virginia students seeking admission to the DPT program. Shenandoah's nearby Loudoun campus location makes it convenient for many George Mason graduates to continue their education close to where they already live, work, and maintain professional and community connections. Faculty representatives from Shenandoah and George Mason agreed that this regional accessibility could strengthen educational opportunities for students while supporting the healthcare workforce needs of Northern Virginia.

Hartstein elaborated on these and other reasons why Shenandoah sought a partnership with George Mason to expand its network of articulation agreements in support of its Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. He stated, "Partnering with George Mason allows us to build a direct pipeline for high-caliber Kinesiology students who already possess a strong academic foundation. By expanding our articulation network to include George Mason, we make top-tier doctoral education seamlessly accessible right here in Northern Virginia, allowing students to complete their Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at our Loudoun campus and step directly into serving the growing healthcare needs of our local communities."

The partnership between George Mason and Shenandoah is a natural fit. At the core of this relationship is the shared commitment of each university to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals in Virginia. George Mason's Kinesiology program has a long history of preparing its students for careers in physical therapy and other allied health professions. Many of the program's graduates have already successfully completed Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees at universities, including Shenandoah. George Mason's large and diverse student population combined with its strong kinesiology program built upon a rigorous foundation in the sciences, make the university an exceptional source of highly qualified applicants for advanced studies in the allied health professions.

The new articulation agreement between George Mason and Shenandoah will benefit both universities. For Shenandoah, the agreement provides ready access to talented students from one of Virginia's largest public universities. Hartstein commented, "We already know George Mason graduates thrive in our curriculum because so many have successfully earned their DPT at Shenandoah over the years. Their strong foundational preparation in movement science, coupled with the rich diversity of George Mason’s student body, makes them ideal candidates for our program."

For George Mason, the agreement showcases its Kinesiology Program as an excellent preparation pathway for students pursuing careers in physical therapy and other healthcare fields. This helps to elevate the visibility of the program and attract future students who may be interested in allied health careers. It also defines the course prerequisites and other requirements that students must satisfy to be deemed eligible for admission into the DPT program. This will provide students with a high level of predictability and certainty that they are completing the necessary coursework to reach their goals. Tiffany Sandstrum, who works closely with undergraduate students as Senior Academic Advisor in George Mason’s Kinesiology Program, elaborated on this aspect of the articulation agreement focusing on how it will benefit students. She stated, "For me, working with students, I think the best part is that for our highest achieving students this is a great opportunity for them to know early in the application process that they have a fantastic DPT program that wants them."

Another important benefit of the articulation agreement is that it allows students greater exposure to practicing physical therapists who are on the Shenandoah faculty and who have developed professional networks that could provide students valuable access to mentorship, clinical experiences, and future employment opportunities. Debra Stroiney, academic program coordinator and associate professor in George Mason's Kinesiology Program remarked, "George Mason students who are granted admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program through this pathway will have an opportunity to train under practicing physical therapists who teach at Shenandoah. Those students will be able to leverage the benefits of early exposure and referral opportunities that could eventually help them obtain career positions in the physical therapy profession. This will give them a competitive advantage in securing a job once they complete their doctoral program."

Virginia continues to experience growing demand for physical therapists. According to a study from the American Physical Therapy Association published in March 2025, demand forecasts for annual full-time equivalent (FTE) physical therapists in Virginia is projected to grow from 6580 in 2022 to 7540 in 2037, representing a 14.59% increase. This highlights the need for strong educational partnerships that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Although this agreement does not increase the total number of seats within Shenandoah's existing Doctor of Physical Therapy program, it strengthens the pool of well-prepared students entering the profession.

On this last point, Stroiney added, “The Kinesiology Program at George Mason is embedded within CEHD’s broader mission of human development. Our program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, which holds students to the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to work in the field of Kinesiology whether it is allied health or another pathway. Graduating from George Mason’s Kinesiology Program opens a gateway for students to earn higher degrees in any number of allied health professions, including the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Shenandoah. The education and training they receive here at George Mason explain why our students are in such high demand.”

Overall, the agreement between George Mason and Shenandoah represents more than an admissions pathway. It is a strategic partnership that supports regional workforce development, enhances enrollment opportunities for George Mason, and creates meaningful benefits for students, both institutions, and the future of healthcare in Virginia. By creating a clearer pathway between undergraduate and graduate education, the partnership encourages talented students to remain in Virginia for graduate study and ultimately contribute to the Commonwealth's healthcare workforce.

Hartstein wholeheartedly agrees. He emphasized, "Collaborations like this demonstrate how higher education institutions can work together to address broader societal needs. By aligning our academic pathways with George Mason, we are simplifying the journey for students and directly strengthening the healthcare workforce across Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth."

For more information on the new admissions process for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program under the George Mason-Shenandoah articulated agreement, please visit Physical Therapy Articulation Agreements - Physical Therapy.