Baylor Physical Therapy Professor Appointed CAPTE Commissioner

Casey Unverzagt, DPT, DSc, Director of Residency Education and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, has been appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Unverzagt is one of 17 Commissioners who will oversee physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, and residency/fellowship education panels. He will serve a three-year term, effective January 1, 2027.

“We are excited to have Dr. Casey Unverzagt appointed as a CAPTE Commissioner, responsible for reviewing program accreditation,” said Brian Young, PT, DSc, Clinical Professor and Chair of Baylor’s Department of Physical Therapy. “This is another example of Baylor faculty filling roles that help shape the future of the profession as we all work to best serve those who seek physical therapist care.”

Unverzagt joined the Baylor faculty in April 2017, where he oversees Physical Therapy’s orthopedic, neurologic, and pediatric residency programs. Unverzagt is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Recently, CAPTE merged with the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) to create a more seamless accreditation process. Prior to the merging of these two accrediting bodies, Unverzagt served on the Board of Commissioners for ABPTRFE, helping to guide accreditation of residency and fellowship programs.

In joining the new CAPTE Board of Commissioners, he will be able to inform accreditation from a unique vantage point and share insights into the entire continuum of physical therapy education. Unverzagt will contribute to the evaluation and improvement of accreditation processes, he will participate in accreditation and pre-accreditation decisions for programs, and he will assist with the review and development of rules and policies that guide physical therapy education. 

Unverzagt’s appointment is the latest example of the rising excellence of Baylor’s innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. In the U.S. News & World Report, 2026 rankings, it was ranked No. 40 out of 278 programs, positioning it as No. 3 in Texas for all programs and No. 1 for hybrid DPT programs. 

“Physical therapy education is navigating a period of significant change. From increasing scrutiny of accreditation systems to the evolving role of residency and fellowship education, the decisions we make today will help shape the future of our profession,” Unverzagt said. “I am honored to serve on the CAPTE Board of Commissioners and contribute to strengthening the educational pathways that support excellence in patient care and the continued advancement of physical therapy.”

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes seven academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Physician Assistant Studies; and Public Health. Robbins College offers 11 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.