Department of Physical Therapy

Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Overview of the Professional DPT Program
Pre-PT Academic Advisor at UCA is Ms. Charlotte Fant

Application Packet for the 2008 DPT Program.

The Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares individuals to become licensed physical therapists. The program is three years in length and requires a Baccalaureate degree for regular admission and the prerequisite coursework listed below. Other requirements for admission to the program include a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 and 2.75 in sciences. The GRE must also be taken and 45 hours of observation hours at three different physical therapy clinics/facilties are required. A minimum of 30 hours of the prerequisite sciences must be successfully completed before the application deadline.

UCA offers a BS Degree in Health Sciences with a Physical Therapy emphasis (for pre-PT majors) that meets the prerequisites for admission to the professional DPT program (see information below). Applicants with a bachelor's degree from other institutions must also successfully complete the prerequisite courses listed below.

General Information (High School Students, College Freshman, and College Students with Undeclared Majors should read the following two documents first)

• Article on Physical Therapy (pdf): The Profession, Working Conditions, Salaries, etc.
• 6 Steps to Becoming a Physical Therapist (pdf)

Detailed Information & Program Requirments

• Brochure about the DPT Program at UCA (pdf):  details on application requirements, policies and deadlines, etc. (updated August 2007)
• Courses Equivalent to UCA DPT Program Pre-Requisites at Arkansas 4 Year Colleges & Universities (for transfer credit). 
• Link to Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS).  http://acts.adhe.edu
• UCA Pre-Physical Therapy Majors: pursue the BS in Health Science Degree with emphasis in Physical Therapy.
• See the Advising Course Checksheet (pdf) or
• See the Program Completion Plan (pdf), a 4 year (8 semester) Plan of Study.
• Other Students: Other UCA non-PT Majors, Non-UCA Students, or Students who already hold a bachelor's degree
  • See the Pre-requisite Course List (pdf) - courses required for admission to the DPT Program (54 credits).

Application Information

The Application Packet (pdf) for the Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program including information, instructions, checklist, consent form, department application, and clinical observation form is available online, in the UCA Graduate School Office, or by mail.  In addition to this packet, the Graduate School Application (pdf) is also necessary for application.  Deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 10th each year.

International Students:

In order to be considered as an applicant in the UCA DPT professional program international students must:

• acheive a minimum score of 600 on the Test of of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) paper/pencil exam OR minimum score of 250 on the TOFEL computerized exam.  The TOFEL score of 250 on the computer exam is equivalent to 600 on the paper/prencil exam.
• provide an analysis of all international courses completed in the past to include:

        (1) number of semester credit hours for each class,

        (2) grade for each class, and

        (3) courses offered at UCA with which each class is equivalent.

Furthermore, an overall GPA submitted by the company analyzing the previous coursework is not sufficient - each course must be analyzed.  For additional information, please see http://www.uca.edu/international/.

Other forms:

• Clinical Observation Hours Forms (2 pages - pdf) for printing additional copies; also available in the Application Packet.
• PT Special Admissions Form (1 page - pdf) [Only required of students who began as freshman at UCA & meet certain requirements]

Send Information:

SEND ALL DPT APPLICATION ITEMS TO THE UCA GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFICE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:  Physical Therapy Admissions, Graduate School, Torreyson West 328, University of Central Arkansas, 201 S. Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR  72035.

Further information:

For more information regarding the DPT Application, contact the UCA Graduate School Office at 501-450-3124.