Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DPT program 
The DPT is an entry-level professional program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.  The program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and are seeking professional licensure as a physical therapist.

Is the Health Science Center at Fort Worth DPT program accredited
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth 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

What is the length of the program and what degree is awarded 
HSC offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This 33-month program will prepare you to practice as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in one of today’s fastest growing and most rewarding health professions.

How many candidates are accepted to the Physical Therapy program
Typically, we invite 48 candidates to join our cohort each year.

What is a cohort program 
We admit one group of students each year and those students take the same courses in the same order throughout their 33 months in the program.

How competitive is it to gain acceptance into the PT program 
The selection process is highly competitive.  Typically, 5% of applicants are invited to an admissions interview and 3-4% are invited to join our class. Applications are welcomed regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. The HSC DPT program receives a large number of applications each year.

Can I 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.

Do you accept out-of-state residents
Yes, we accept out-of-state students. However, we do not have a particular number of assigned seats for both in-state and out-of-state students. Residency is not a factor considered while evaluating an application for the PT program.

What is the course load like and what courses will I be taking in this program 
Please refer to our PT Sequence of Courses and PT Course Descriptions.

How much is tuition 
Detailed tuition information is available on the HSC website under Tuition and Fees. Tuition and fees for a Texas resident is approximately $32,000 and is approximately $73,000 for a non-resident.

Is housing available on the HSC Fort Worth campus
No, HSC does not have housing on campus.

Is financial aid available 
Yes, our Financial Aid Department can assist you with obtaining further information about other financial aid options.

Is there a minimum grade required to satisfy prerequisite coursework requirements
All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C or better (2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale). Higher scores in prerequisite coursework improve an applicant’s chance for selection.

Do I have to have all of my prerequisite courses completed before I apply to the DPT program
You may apply and be offered an interview even if all of your prerequisites are not completed.  You will be required to detail your plan for completion on your application.  If offered a position in the class, the offer will be “conditional” upon your completing all of the program requirements prior to the program’s start date. Applicants who fail to complete prerequisite coursework prior to matriculation will have their application withdrawn and/or will forfeit their admissions offer. We strongly recommend having the majority of your academic prerequisite work completed prior to interviewing.

Does HSC Fort Worth offer any of the prerequisite courses 
No. HSC is a graduate only campus and does not offer courses at the undergraduate level. There are many local colleges and universities where prerequisite coursework is offered.  Please contact the advising office at the institution you will be attending for information about prerequisite coursework offerings.

Is there a limit on how long ago prerequisite coursework can be taken 
Yes, prerequisite courses must be completed within a 10-year time frame to meet the eligibility requirements. Prerequisites coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

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 intended for science majors and have a laboratory component.  If you need assistance in determining if a specific course qualifies, please contact the academic advising office at your institution or the department from which the course is offered. Many colleges and universities have a pre-health advising office.

Are on-line courses acceptable to fulfill prerequisite requirements
Yes, although it is strongly recommended that prerequisite science courses be completed in a traditional classroom setting.  Please note that on-line courses are not exempt from the requirement to be designated for science majors in order to fulfill science prerequisite requirements.

I already have a foreign bachelor’s degree – am I eligible to apply
Each applicant must complete all the program requirements as outlined including prerequisite coursework and an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution. Please note that the requirement for a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution will not be waived and exceptions are not permitted. Foreign degrees are not considered equivalent nor are they accepted in lieu of an earned bachelor’s degree from the U.S. The program does not accept foreign coursework.

How do I know if the course I am taking satisfies an academic prerequisite
Please contact the advising/counseling office at your institution or the department offering the course for information about prerequisite coursework offerings. The Office of Admissions is not able to advise you regarding degree plan requirements for your undergraduate degree.  Consult with your assigned academic advisor, school counselor, or pre-health professions advisor with questions regarding degree plan advising at your institution. If you need assistance in determining whether a specific course meets a prerequisite requirement, please check with your academic advisor/counselor, pre-health advising office, or department from which the course is offered.

Can I substitute coursework for prerequisite requirements
No, substitutions are not permitted. If you have a question regarding whether a particular course will satisfy a prerequisite requirement, please contact admissions@unthsc.edu.

Can I interview even though I haven’t finished all of my prerequisites 
Yes, it is possible to be invited to interview even before all prerequisites have been completed; however, applicants who do not complete the prerequisite coursework with passing grades will have their applications automatically withdrawn. Failure to complete prerequisite courses by the deadline results in withdrawal of your application and/or forfeiture of your admission into the program.

How do I apply and When do I apply 
Applicants must submit the (PTCAS) The Physical Therapy Application Service and non-refundable Application Processing Fee to be eligible for admission.  No incomplete applications will be considered, and no application materials will be accepted after the published deadline. The Application Processing Fee must be received before an application will be reviewed. The link to pay the fee online will be emailed to the applicant once we receive a completed PTCAS application. Due to the limited number of seats and our policy of offering admissions on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process early in our cycle. The application cycle runs from July through December each year. To be considered for our first interview day of the cycle, applicants should have their application and all supporting materials submitted no later than mid September.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required 
No.  The GRE is not required, and scores will not be attached to applicant files nor considered in the admissions process.

What is the minimum GPA required for admission
The program requires that eligible candidates maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in the most recent 60 credit hours of coursework as calculated by PTCAS and a minimum 3.0 GPA in required prerequisite coursework.  Maintaining the minimum required GPA is not necessarily equivalent to achieving a competitive GPA.  What is considered competitive varies according to the quality of the applicant pool during each application cycle.

How do I know if the Admissions Office has received my application and materials 
Once you submit your online application and it has been verified through PTCAS, you will be sent an automated e-mail stating your application has been received with instructions on how to submit your application processing fee payment online.

From whom should I request recommendation letters
We suggest that you obtain at least one of your letters of recommendation from a physical therapist with whom you have worked or completed volunteer/observation hours. Other letters may be from professors, employers, community leaders, or other individuals who can offer insight into your academic record, your volunteer experience, your character and integrity, or your potential for success in a doctoral level program. All letters must be submitted through PTCAS.

Do I have to have a bachelor’s degree in order to be accepted for the DPT program 
Yes. You must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States prior to matriculation into the program.  Since our DPT program begins classes in mid-summer each year, your degree must be conferred by May prior to matriculation.  Your degree may still be in progress at the time of your application.

Does it matter which school I attend to earn my bachelor’s degree
No, but your bachelor’s degrees must be obtained at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university to be deemed acceptable.  Information regarding regional accreditation is available from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

What is the best major to have to prepare me for the DPT program
The Admissions Committee does not recommend a particular academic major or course of study for applicants. The Admissions Committee encourages you to pursue an undergraduate major that allows you to develop strong analytical skills and a basis in science which will contribute to your success in the DPT program.  We recommend you choose a major or minor that allows you to easily integrate mandatory prerequisite coursework as well as strongly recommended coursework into your degree plan.

Are volunteer hours or work experience in Physical Therapy required 
No.  However, competitive applicants will have knowledge of the field.  Exposure to a variety of PT settings is the best method for this knowledge acquisition.

How do I document my volunteer and work hours
You will account for your hours in the appropriate sections of the PTCAS application. Documentation and/or verification is not required.  All information submitted in the online application must be true and accurate to the best of each applicant’s knowledge.  Any applicant or admitted student who provides misleading, untrue, or inaccurate information, including falsified volunteer, work, or shadowing hours submitted in the application, will be subject to academic dishonesty and ethical policies.

Is an interview part of the admissions process
Yes.  The DPT program typically invites the 100 most competitive applicants to an admissions interview; typically, 10-15% of the applicant pool is invited.  Interviews generally take place from September – December, but may end sooner if the class is filled. Early submission of your application can increase your chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential and are considered in the competitive selection process.

Do you give preference to in-state applicants
Equal consideration is given to in-state and out-of-state applicants.  Non-resident students pay non-resident tuition rates.

How competitive is the admissions process
The admissions process is extremely competitive. 

How important is grade point average (GPA) in the competitive admissions process
Although an applicant’s entire academic record is considered, strong academic performance alone does not ensure acceptance. Maintaining the minimum required GPA is not necessarily equivalent to achieving a competitive GPA. What is considered competitive varies according to the quality of the applicant pool during each application cycle.

What are the characteristics of an ideal candidate for your program
Ideal candidates must demonstrate 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 capacity to perform under the demands of a challenging academic and professional program.

Is shadowing a PT required for admission into the program
No. Shadowing is not required; however, shadowing is an excellent way for an applicant to personally experience and reflect upon the career as a physical therapist.  The Admissions Committee will evaluate your knowledge of the field as one selection factor.

Is it beneficial to have healthcare experience before applying to the program
Yes. Health care experience can be very beneficial for an applicant for many reasons, and healthcare experience is strongly encouraged. Healthcare experience is not a mandatory admission requirement, but will bolster the competitive nature of an application.  If you are working to gain this type of experience, you should keep in mind that prior healthcare experience provides you with greater awareness of the role of the PT and other healthcare professionals involved with direct patient care. Familiarity with healthcare systems, patient care environments, professional roles, terminology and procedures will ease your transitions into the PT role.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the program
This question is difficult, if not impossible, to answer. 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 predict who will or will not be admitted nor can any guarantees be offered about any potential admittance. A good strategy is to make sure you have met all of the prerequisite requirements before applying, become as knowledgeable as possible about the PT career, and then prepare yourself for acceptance by making your application and interview as strong as possible.

Will I be able to work while enrolled in the program 
PT students are not prohibited from working while enrolled in the DPT program; however, due to the amount of study and intensive nature of the curriculum, students are generally discouraged from obtaining or maintaining employment while enrolled.

Students should note that after the first year of physical therapy school is complete, there may be various work opportunities available on campus with reduced working hours to consider.

Does the program require me to own a laptop computer 
Yes, enrolled students pay a technology fee and are issued a new laptop computer during orientation.

If I am accepted into the program, when do classes begin
Each year a required one-week orientation is scheduled in July, classes commence the following week.

Does the program have a Health and Technical Standards policy for enrollment
Yes. Please refer to our Health and Technical Standards page.

Once enrolled, can I choose where I go for my clinical rotations 
No. Clinical rotations are assigned by the program faculty based upon the needs of the student and upon availability of clinical sites. The PT student is not required to arrange their own clinical rotation sites.