Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT), an applicant must have participated in the competitive admissions process and must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university which would be completed prior to matriculation to the Physical Therapy (PT) program. The minimum last 60 credit hour grade point average (GPA) required to be considered for admission is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The minimum prerequisite GPA required to be considered for admission is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All enrolled students must meet the program’s minimum Health and Technical Standards to participate in the program.

Prerequisite Coursework

The minimum prerequisite coursework requirements cannot be waived and must be completed or in progress by the posted application deadline(s) from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university or Canadian equivalent. Exceptions are not permitted. Prerequisite courses must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). A single course cannot be used simultaneously to meet more than one course prerequisite. All coursework completed by the applicant will be considered in the admissions process.

Coursework is converted to semester credit hours when determining if minimum prerequisite requirements have been met. Meeting the prerequisite requirements generally calls for completion of courses designed for science majors; courses offered for non-science majors do not typically satisfy the prerequisite requirements of biology, chemistry and physics. Credit for coursework obtained through distance learning or online courses will be recognized as meeting prerequisite requirements as long as course credit is awarded from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university or Canadian equivalent.

Foreign Coursework

The program will not accept course work obtained at foreign institutions except Canada.

Transcripts

Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, applicants must request that final official transcripts from each institution previously attended be sent directly to the School of Health Professions Admissions. Final transcripts must list all courses including those that were in progress between initial application and final matriculation into the program.

Prerequisite Coursework Substitution

Prospective applicants seeking substitution for prerequisite coursework should submit their request via e-mail to:

PTAdmissions@unthsc.edu

or by regular mail to:

University of North Texas Health Science Center
School of Health Professions
PT Admissions
3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699
Phone: (817) 735-2003 Fax: (817) 735-2518
Email: PTAdmissions@unthsc.edu

A catalog course description or course syllabus from the college or university where the course was completed must be submitted with the request. If a catalog course description is not available, a letter from the academic department that offered the original course describing the content and nature of the course may be substituted. Coursework substitutions and content hours must be equivalent or comparable to the prerequisite. Substitutions are approved on an individual basis. The program reserves the right to approve or deny any prerequisite course substitution requests.

Admission Procedures

Applicants will be considered for admission as early as September during the year prior to matriculation.  Applications through PTCAS typically become available in July.  The deadline for submitting the PTCAS application is January 15 of the year of matriculation. Early application is recommended. Applicants should not send PTCAS application materials, transcripts, reference letters or other information to the PT Admissions Office unless specifically requested to do so. The PT Admissions Office or program does not assume any responsibility for application materials sent to PTCAS and will not forward admissions materials to the application service on behalf of applicants. To allow for timely receipt and processing, it is recommended that all application materials, fees, transcripts and reference forms be submitted at least 30 days prior to the posted deadline. Applicants submitting after the posted deadline will not be considered. An application processing fee may be due in addition to the required PTCAS application.

Applicant Selection

In reviewing applications for interview selection and acceptance, many factors are taken into consideration. These factors include but are not limited to:

• Academic background
• PT mentorship/shadowing experiences
• Understanding of the role of PT
• Letters of reference 
• Community Service
• Honors, achievements and awards
• Other life experiences and extracurricular activities;
• Applicant’s personal interview.

Although an applicant’s entire academic record is considered, this alone does not ensure acceptance. While prior experience in a health care setting is not required, this experience is considered a beneficial attribute and viewed positively by the Admissions Committee. PT mentorship and shadowing experiences are not required, but are highly encouraged. Letters of reference from a physical therapist or physician are required. Evidence of personal integrity, maturity, motivation, communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, writing ability, dedication and the ability to work with others are additional factors that will be considered. These qualities are evaluated by several means, including letters of reference, the scope and nature of extracurricular activities (including work and volunteer experience), the scope and breadth of prior education and through the interview process.

Selected applicants will be invited to the UNT Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth for an admissions interview. Interviews generally take place on campus from November to March. Interviewing may end sooner if the class has been filled. Candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted by phone or email. Declining an invitation or failing to appear for a scheduled interview will result in a withdrawal of your application. Early submission of your application may increase your chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential and are considered in the competitive selection processes.

Transfer Policy

The program does not admit transfer students from other PT programs.

Accreditation

DPT at UNTHSC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.