What is the length of the program and what degree is awarded?
The DPT program is 31 consecutive months, beginning in late May.  A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is awarded.

How many candidates are accepted to the Physical Therapy program?
40 candidates are accepted each year.

How many applications are received and how competitive is acceptance?
The department receives a large volume of completed applications annually. Although the number may vary, approximately 350 applications for the class beginning in May 2008 were received. Applications are welcome regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

What are the characteristics of an ideal candidate for your program?
An ideal candidate must demonstrate that they have a strong work ethic and desire to enter the physical therapy profession. They will have a combination of life, work and academic experience that shows a commitment to perform under the demands of a challenging academic and professional program.

How important are GPA in being offered an interview and how do I make my application more competitive?
The recommended minimum for the cumulative, prerequisite, and last 60 hours GPA's is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. As with other universities or colleges, higher GPA's make a more competitive candidate. The average GPA for the class beginning in May 2007 was 3.70.  Your goal is to be competitive and academically prepared to successfully handle the demands of the program's curriculum. In addition to academics, the admissions committee evaluates the applicant as a whole. The quality and quantity of academic preparation, letters of recommendation, exposure to physical therapy, and community service activities reflected in your application materials and statements are all part of the evaluation process.

Can you explain the deadlines?
We have two deadlines, Sept. 1 for a small early admissions and Dec. 1 for regular admissions.  For early admissions you must submit your $10 application fee and completed online application by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 1.  You then have until Sept. 15 at 5:00 p.m. to submit your letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores.  For regular admissions, by Dec. 1 you must submit your $10 application fee and completed online application by 5:00 p.m.  You then have until Dec. 15 at 5:00 p.m. to submit your letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores.  Any materials received after the deadline will not be accepted.  International applicants have additional requirements.

What is the application/interview time frame?
Interviews are conducted in October for the September deadline and January for the December deadline.  Acceptance notification letters are distributed shortly thereafter. For more information, please see the Admissions Process page.  

What is the best major to have?
You can major in any area, we do not have a preference.  Some of the more popular majors for those planning to continue to physical therapy school are kinesiology, exercise science, biology, and psychology.

How do I apply?
A link to the online application can be found at www.utsouthwestern.edu/pt.  Click the Admission Office/Online Application link.  The application fee, original transcripts, and letters of recommendation must be submitted by the deadline.

From whom should I request recommendation letters?
We suggest that you obtain as many of your letters of recommendation as possible from physical therapists with whom you have worked or completed volunteer/observation hours. Other letters may be from professors, employers, or community leaders, etc.

Do I have to have a Bachelor's degree in order to be accepted for the PT program?
Yes.

Does it matter what school I get my Bachelor's degree from?
No, but the school must be accredited by an accreditation body recognized by The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Can I take the academic prerequisites for the PT program at a community college?
Yes, as long as the course description adequately matches the description of our program's required academic prerequisites.  Please note that all science classes must be for science majors and have a laboratory component.  If you need assistance in determining if a specific course qualifies, please contact us.

How do I know if the course I am taking satisfies an academic prerequisite?
Consult with your school counselor or contact us.  We will be glad to assist you.  Please note that Abnormal/Developmental Psychology is not satisfied by Child Psychology, and Exercise Physiology will not satisfy Human or Mammalian Physiology.

Is there someone who can evaluate my transcript(s) and provide information on course work needed?
Yes.  Please contact the Education Coordinator  for more information about transcript evaluations.

Does UTSW offer any of the prerequisite courses?
No.

May I apply and interview even though I lack prerequisite credits?
You may apply and interview even if all of the prerequisites are not completed.  If offered a position in the class, the offer will be "Conditional" upon completing all of the program requirements prior to the beginning date.  We strongly recommend having the majority of your academic prerequisite work completed prior to interviewing.

Are volunteer hours or work experience in Physical Therapy required?
A competitive applicant will have exposure hours in a variety of settings.  In 2007, the average number of volunteer hours by incoming Physical Therapy students was over 400 hours.  We suggest having at least 20 hours in three PT Settings and a total of at least 120 hours.

How do I document my volunteer and work hours?
You will document your hours in the Volunteer Hours section of the application.  If you have documentation from the sites, you may submit it along with your application.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the program?
This question is difficult, if not impossible, to answer. There is no way to determine what the applicant pool will look like each year. A variety of people with various backgrounds apply to the program each year, and a variety of applicants are accepted. There is no way to say who will or will not be admitted, nor can any guarantee be made about anyone's admittance. A good beginning strategy is to present yourself as well as possible when completing your application.

Do you give preference to in-state applicants?
No.

Do you accept transfers from other DPT programs?
Not directly.  All applicant must first compete for and be offered a position through the admissions process.  If accepted, then syllabi from previous coursework can be submitted for possible transfer credit.  Please contact the PT department for additional information.

How many of your graduates passed the national licensure examination?
In 2007, the 1st-time pass rate of the PT licensure exam for UTSW graduates was 100% compared to 93% for Texas schools and 89% nationwide.  The first time passing rate in 2006 was 97%.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
Yes. All applicants are required to submit scores to the registrar as part of the application process. There is no minimum GRE score required for admission but the average combined is 1100.  The average score for the writing sample is 4.1.  Scores from the GRE general examination must be submitted by the application deadline. GRE scores expire after five year.  UTSW's GRE school code is 6686.

Can you attend the DPT program part-time?
No.  Due to the fixed sequence of the didactic curriculum, all students must enroll on a full-time basis.

How much is tuition and what is the general cost of living in Dallas?
A current estimated $21,000 for Texas residents and $47,000 for non-Texas residents.  This includes tuition/fees/books for the entire program. The Greater Dallas Chamber is an excellent source of information regarding the current cost of living and other helpful information about the Dallas area.

I have a degree from another country.  How do I know if I meet your prerequisite requirements?
Please review our International Students page.  Note that original transcripts from each university attended must be submitted as part of the application process.  Transcripts from all universities outside the United States must be converted to the United States equivalents by a recognized evaluation agency.

I already have a medical degree from another country. Do I have to complete all prerequisites?
Yes. Each applicant is viewed individually. Each applicant must complete all the program requirements as outlined in the official catalog.

Is there a time limit on the prerequisite coursework?
There is no time limit on prerequisite coursework.  However, we do recommend that your anatomy and physiology courses be taken within the last five years.

What is the course load like? What courses will I be taking in this program?
The course load will vary from 13-22 hours per semester. For a description of the courses that are taken in the DPT program, please refer to our Curriculum page.

What is the time commitment and can I work while in school?
You will be expected to be available for class from 8 am - 5 pm. Due to the time commitment necessary to attend classes and study, we recommend that you do not work while in the program.

Is housing available on the UT Southwestern campus?
Yes. The University has constructed an apartment complex near the campus. For information, call (214) 956-9300 or go to their website at UTSW Campus Housing.

Is financial aid available?
Our Financial Aid Department can assist you with obtaining further information about other financial aid that is offered through our University.  Once enrolled in the program, there are several scholarship opportunities.

What is the Physical Therapy job market like?
The United States Department of Labor has current information about the physical therapy job market. Additionally, the American Physical Therapy Association should be able to provide you with further information.

Do you host Information Sessions?
Yes.  We host monthly Information Sessions where faculty members present an overview of the PT program at UTSW and are available to answer questions or concerns you may have about our program.

How do I request information to be mailed to me?
You can request that an information packet be sent to you by emailing pt.sahss@utsouthwestern.edu or by calling our information request line at (214) 648-1550.  Please note that this website contains the most updated information.

What if I still have questions?
You may e-mail our Education Coordinator or call us at (214) 648-1551 for more information.

We sincerely thank you for your interest in our Physical Therapy program and extend our best wishes for a successful start with your professional career!