School of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy DPT Admissions
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Application Procedure: This program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Please consult link for more information regarding specific PTCAS application requirements, procedures and fees. The PTCAS application must be completed by December 3, 2012 for the class beginning January, 2014. Applicants should send all application materials directly to PTCAS. PTCAS will verify the application information and send completed applications to the program. 

Following the program's receipt of the PTCAS application, the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will review the packet. Completed applications are reviewed by members of the admissions committee. Eligible applicants are selected for interview. Interviews are held January-March. Admissions decisions are finalized by April.

Requirements for Admission:The applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university within the United States in a field other than physical therapy. Acceptance will be based on the student's academic ability and aptitude for a career as a physical therapist. The candidate is expected to satisfy the following requirements: 

  • *Complete the PTCAS application by December 3, 2012.

  • Have a minimum 3.0 (A = 4.0) overall, prerequisite and last 60 semester hours grade point average.

  • *75% of prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester of the year of application.
    • For example, applicants submitting their application on December 3, 2012 must have 75% of prerequisite courses completed by the end of the fall semester 2012.
    • The applicant must have a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
  • Complete at least 40 hours of documented observation of physical therapy in various settings (e.g., hospital, outpatient clinic, pediatric clinic).
    • Documentation must be submitted to PTCAS by the December 3rd deadline.

  • Submit three letters of recommendation to PTCAS.
    • Letter 1: Written by a physical therapist who has interacted with the applicant for at least 20 hours in a clinical setting.
    • *Letter 2: Written by a physical therapist who has interacted with the applicant for at least 20 hours in a clinical setting. 
    • Letter 3:  Written by a professor with whom the applicant had significant interaction in an academic setting. 

  • Complete the GRE and have scores sent to PTCAS.  The GRE code is 7801.
      

  • If invited, complete a personal interview with the Department of Physical Therapy faculty.


    *Denotes changes that occurred in 2012.

 
Program Prerequisites - UAB Equivalents
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)

Arts and Humanities
English Composition - EH 101, 102 (6)

Social and Behavioral Sciences
Psychology (9)

Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Precalculus with Trigonometry - MA 106 (3)
Statistics (must be taken in Math, Psychology, or Sociology) - MA 180, PY 214, or SOC 110 (3-4)
Physics* - PH 201/211 lab, 202/212 lab or PH 221/231 lab, 222/232 lab** (8)
General Chemistry for science majors with labs* - CH 115/116 lab, 117/118 lab (8)
Biology including Human or Mammalian Physiology* - BY 116 or 309 (16)
Medical Terminology - AHS 350 (2-3), may be taken online


*For these prerequisite courses, credit older than ten years from the application deadline must be validated by examination or other appropriate mechanism.
**The physics course sequence must be designed for science majors and include laboratory sessions. A minimum of 8 semester hours is required. The following topics must be studied: mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, wave motion and sound, and light.

It is strongly recommended that applicants take the following courses: practical reasoning or logic course, biomechanics or kinesiology and upper level biology (physiology). 


Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:
• Overall GPA, Prerequisite GPA, last 60 hours GPA and GRE scores
• Quality of answers to the program specific essay questions on the PTCAS application.
• Quality of interview


Admissions Timeline:
June-December 1:  Complete PTCAS application
January-March:  Interviews
By April:  Admission decisions finalized and students notified
January:  Program begins


Students who are accepted into the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy program must:

• Complete the UAB Graduate School application to include the graduate school fee.
• Complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical.
• Provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.
• Send all official transcripts to the UAB Graduate School.
• Complete a criminal background check before the first semester as specified by the Department of Physical Therapy in order to participate in clinical education.

Variations in these requirements are considered. In instances where applicants do not meet the principle requirements for admission, they may be considered for admission on a probationary status. Such students must establish themselves in good standing by achieving not less than a B average by the end of the first semester of enrollment.

State law regulates the practice of Physical Therapy. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to review the non-academic eligibility requirements for licensure to practice physical therapy upon completion of the program. These may be obtained from each individual state's Board of Licensure for Physical Therapy.


If you have any questions, contact Betsy Coleman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or 205-934-4363.