Merging Physical Therapy with Academic Inquiry

Dr. Ritter first discovered her love for human movement through anatomy and kinesiology courses at Ball State University, where she double-majored in dance and exercise science. This foundational interest inspired her to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. After practicing for a short time, she began teaching biomechanics as an adjunct faculty member. This role deepened her passion for both teaching and clinical practice, ultimately culminating in her certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS).

Driven by a growing interest in education and research, she transitioned into academia as an Assistant Professor but knew her own learning wasn’t finished.

“To deepen my research expertise and expand my opportunities in higher education, I pursued and recently completed my PhD at Concordia University, St. Paul. Each step has been guided by a desire to blend clinical expertise, academic inquiry, and a passion for mentoring future physical therapists.”

Accelerating the Path with Generous Transfer Credits

Dr. Ritter chose CSP Global because the program allowed her to uniquely integrate exercise physiology and sport psychology courses into her degree. The program’s design, which emphasizes flexibility for working professionals, served as a catalyst for her academic journey.

“I also appreciated the generous transfer of credits from my DPT, which helped accelerate my overall timeline. With the program’s flexibility, I was able to double or even triple up on courses, further shortening my path – an approach not for everyone, but one that worked well for me.”

As a Fall 2025 graduate, Dr. Ritter highlights that the program’s structure directly supported her success as a working academic. “[It] was well structured, integrating seamlessly into semester coursework and helping me stay on track to completion.”

Dr. Carly Ritter (center) leading a medical trip with physical therapy students in Cayambe, Ecuador.

Researching the Impact of Restorative Yoga on DPT Students

Her dissertation explored how restorative yoga might influence mental health and cognitive function among DPT students. As an educator, she witnessed firsthand how much her students struggled with the intense academic and emotional demands of their training, especially in their first year.

“The findings were fascinating: I identified predictors and cognitive consequences of mental health disorders and found evidence suggesting that restorative yoga can help reduce anxiety and even enhance short-term memory.”

She hopes to expand this study to include other health science students and incorporate physiological measures to better understand how mind-body practices influence both mental and cognitive health. Ultimately, her goal is to help future clinicians care for themselves as well as they care for others.

Expanding Clinical Reach and Entrepreneurship

Simultaneous with her academic and teaching journey, Dr. Ritter launched her own practice, Relevé Physical Therapy. “Through this practice, I was able to merge my background in dance with my expertise in orthopaedics, treating dancers and a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. I also developed a specialty in temporomandibular dysfunction, expanding my clinical reach to a unique and often underserved patient population.” Recently, she relocated to South Carolina, where she has continued this work through a house-call model, providing individualized care as a mobile physical therapist.

Beyond academia and clinical work, Dr. Ritter remains deeply connected to the dance community by taking classes, teaching, and choreographing competition pieces. In February 2026, she presented “Breaking the Bite Barrier: Building Confidence for Evaluation and Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction” at the American Physical Therapy Association (APT) Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California, where she inspired other physical therapists to treat jaw pain and dysfunction with greater confidence. Her short-term priorities include publishing manuscripts and working toward a promotion to associate professor.

“Over the next five years, I hope to transition into more of an administrative role, gaining the experience and perspective needed to prepare for my long-term goal of serving as a university provost.”

Advice for Future Kinesiology Scholars

Reflecting on her doctoral journey, Dr. Ritter’s advice for fellow students is to “identify early on what you need in order to write effectively. For me, that meant long, uninterrupted blocks of time with no distractions — classical music playing and a candle lit to set the tone. Everyone’s process looks different, but the key is creating an environment that helps you focus and stay consistent. Just as important, don’t hesitate to reach out to your committee chair and faculty. They are there to support you, and those conversations can be incredibly helpful along the way.”

Join the Ranks of Clinicians like Dr. Ritter

Are you ready to join the ranks of clinicians like Dr. Ritter? Elevate your clinical expertise and expand your career opportunities in higher education through CSP Global’s doctoral program in kinesiology. Discover how our fully online PhD in Kinesiology can help you achieve your professional goals with flexible coursework and generous transfer credits. Take the next step toward impactful research and academic leadership today.