Early Acceptance Program (DPTEAP)
UAB has an early acceptance program for academically superior high school seniors, attracting them to UAB’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program with guaranteed admission to the School of Health Professions after college.
Eligibility for DPTEAP
Since acceptance to DPTEAP means acceptance to the physical therapy program, entry is highly competitive.
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 Overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Test Scores: at least 29 ACT or a minimum 1330 SAT
- Keep in mind that this is the combined score of Critical Reading (formerly known as Verbal) and Math - total possible 1600. If the new writing portion is required, which UAB does not, the SAT has three parts which could total 2400. However, for purposes of applying to DPTEAP, we only count the 1330 minimum out of 1600.
- Selection Process: The Physical Therapy Faculty Committee interviews a select number of eligible candidates. The committee is seeking individuals who have demonstrated leadership, motivation, and high academic credentials..
Applying for DPTEAP
STEP 1: Apply to UAB
You must first apply through UAB Undergraduate Admission.
You must be accepted to UAB as an undergraduate no later than May 1.
STEP 2: Fill out Application
Fill out the DPTEAP Online Application. Completion of the online application includes responses to the questions, your resume, and two letters of recommendation - preferably all uploaded at the same time.
If your letter of recommendation writers prefer to submit their letter themselves, continue to Step 3.
STEP 3: Recommendation Letters
You need one recommendation letter from a teacher and one recommendation letter from a coach or extra curricular activity advisor. If they prefer to submit the letter themselves, share the appropriate link below with them.
Upload teacher letter of recommendation.
Upload coach/extracurricular activity advisor letter of recommendation.
Interviews & Decisions
Application ‘Priority Decision’ deadline is January 15, with interviews and decisions to occur in February.
Application ‘Final Decision’ deadline is June 1, with interviews and decisions to occur in July.
The DPTEAP Admissions Committee interviews eligible candidates.
Criteria for Remaining in Good Standing
The following requirements and conditions are to be met by all DPTEAP students in order to remain in good standing for maintaining their acceptance into the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Therapy:
- Maintain an overall 3.2 GPA and a 3.4 GPA in all prerequisite coursework.
- Stay in contact with the DPTEAP Mentor each semester.
- Regular ongoing academic counseling with an undergraduate major advisor.
- Complete HIPPA training.
- Develop a profile of volunteer experiences. This includes:
- Shadowing several different physical therapists to have a variety of experiences in acute injuries, geriatrics, pediatrics and sports injuries.
- Volunteer in service organizations benefiting other people, especially those serving underserved populations.
- Participate in ongoing activities with the Department of Physical Therapy and demonstrate leadership and maturity consistent with the expectations of other non early admission students.
- Graduate with an undergraduate degree from UAB.
- Must submit a minimum of 20 hours observation of a licensed physical therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy program from our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that is not listed here, please
Preparation
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Do I have to have all the prerequisite courses completed before I can apply?
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 1, 2018 must have 75% of prerequisite courses completed by the end of the fall semester 2018.
The applicant must have a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
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Should I repeat courses that I made C’s in?
You should only if you can't possibly improve your GPAs by taking additional coursework in a given subject area. If you retake a course, PTCAS will average the grades from the 2 courses to calculate the GPA.
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I didn't do well early in my scholastic career. Will that count against me?
When your record is evaluated, all grades you earned are noted and also when you made them. Trends of grades are important. Your last 60 hours GPA is an important criteria.
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I graduated a long time ago, will I have to retake any course work?
The content of coursework completed in chemistry, physics and physiology more than 10 years prior to the application deadline will be accepted if validated by an appropriate mechanism determined by the Admissions Committee. This may be demonstrated in that the information has been used on a regular basis in your job or life related activities or by CLEP Exam or credit by examination.
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Will the courses I've taken at another university transfer to UAB?
Credits received at a regionally accredited institution are accepted. Unless you are expecting to earn an undergraduate degree from UAB, the prerequisite courses earned elsewhere are not entered as part of your academic record at UAB. They are evaluated only by the Department of Physical Therapy to determine if they will adequately prepare you for success in this curriculum.
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Does it matter where I went to school?
Not as long as it is a regionally accredited institution.
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My school was very rigorous, so should my grades be worth more?
Because there is no measure of the quality of educational experiences offered in each program of each university, all programs are regarded as equal.
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What is the best major?
No specific major is required. Students have entered with degrees in psychology, biology, chemistry, religion, rehabilitation counseling, ornamental horticulture, and agriculture to name only a few. This program and the profession will be stronger and more enriched by being made up of people with a wide variety of backgrounds. You should major in whatever area of study you enjoy most. Allow yourself to explore a wide range of different interests early in your college career. When you find something you enjoy, chances are you will do well in it. Let your own curiosity be your guide.
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If I am accepted into physical therapy school, can I major in sports medicine/pediatrics/geriatrics?
The entry level curriculum is designed to prepare you as a generalist. You will know enough about all of the areas of physical therapy to get started. If you wish to specialize in the future you may do so, either by taking continuing education courses or by enrolling in a post professional program at UAB or one of the many other colleges and universities offering such programs.
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Do Alabama residents get preferential treatment?
If, during the final evaluation of candidates, two are equally qualified and one is from Alabama, the Alabama resident is offered the position.
- How can I become an Alabama resident?
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How many hours of PT related observation are required?
You must document that you have completed at least 40 hours of observation or work in physical therapy. We want you to have experienced physical therapy in a variety of environments. You need to have explored as many aspects of the field as you can to get a feel for the profession. Is it really what you thought it was before you started experiencing it? Do you like the PT’s you've met? Would you look forward to going to work every day?
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How many different places should I have had PT experience?
As many as possible. The more you experience the more you know, not only about the profession, but also about yourself.
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Can I work while I'm in the PT program?
Working while pursuing your degree is discouraged. There is very little time available outside of class and study time. Students in the past who have worked have experienced difficulty keeping up with classroom responsibilities.
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Can I attend the PT program part-time?
No. The entry-level professional curriculum is a full-time program and designed to be completed in nine terms.
Program Dates
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When does the program start?
The program begins in the Spring Term which usually starts the first week of January. The curriculum is a set curriculum and must be started and completed in a specified period of time (9 terms). If you need to drop out of the program for some reason, you may have to reapply for admission to the program and start the curriculum again.
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When would I graduate?
The program lasts for three years consisting of nine terms. You will graduate at the end of fall semester (December) in the third year from your start date.
Educational Costs
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How much does it cost to obtain a PT degree at UAB?
For information regarding tuition rates at UAB, visit the Graduate admissions page.
*Fee schedule subject to change by the Board of Trustees at the beginning of any term.
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Are there scholarships available?
There are scholarships available through the Department of Physical Therapy. Additionally, you can contact the UAB Financial Aid office at 205-934-8223 about other opportunities.
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What about work study possibilities?
The DPT Program does not offer graduate assistantships. The DPT Program offers a peer tutoring service for 2nd years who apply to be supplemental instructors for select 1st year courses. 2nd year students must apply for this position.
Where to Live
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Where do students live?
Students live in apartments in the local area in either private or UAB complexes. Contact the UAB housing office at 205-934-2092 for further information.
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Can you help me find a roommate?
Students seeking roommates can ask that their name and address be on a list which is distributed to the whole class. Students then contact one another about arrangements.
Job Opportunities and Salaries
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What are the prospects for employment upon graduation?
UAB DPT graduates easily find employment. The populations requiring physical therapy services are increasing and will continue to grow. For the latest information on how health care reform is affecting the profession of physical therapy, please visit the website for the American Physical Therapy Association.
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How much do Physical Therapists earn?
2013 – median incomes $75,500-$93,500. Medial salary in east south central area $84,000. Median income for PT with 0-3 years of experience $64,000.
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Can I go into private practice?
Yes. There are opportunities for those wishing to open their own practice. Visit The American Physical Therapy Association's private practice section for more information.
Clinic
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When do I go to clinic?
Students participate in integrated clinical education experiences each semester during their first two years in the program. During the summer of their second year, students complete a 5-week full-time clinical education experience. During third year of the program, students complete three, 10-week full-time clinical education experiences occurring each semester.
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Where are the clinics located?
Integrated clinical education experiences are located in the Birmingham area as students participate in on-campus courses concurrently. The full-time clinical experiences occur in clinical settings in Birmingham, Alabama, the Southeast, and nationally across the United States.
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Who decides where I will go for clinic?
The Director of Continuing Education and Community Outreach assigns students for the integrated clinical experiences. For full-time clinical education experiences, students provide input on their desired clinics along with their personal learning goals, interests and needs to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE). This information is considered when the DCE matches students to available clinical placements.
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Are room and board provided at the far away clinical sites?
Some clinical sites are able to offer varying degrees of assistance to students; some offer room and board; some offer assistance in finding room and board; and some offer no assistance.
PT License
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Do I have to be licensed to practice PT?
Yes, all states require Physical Therapists be licensed to practice.
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Is there a licensure examination?
Yes, there is. It is a national examination used by all states. It is under the authority of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Graduates may take the exam by appointment at any of the designated testing sites.
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Admissions
Application Process
Application Deadlines
2026-2027 PTCAS Application Cycle
July 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026.
Application Procedure
This program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). For more information regarding specific PTCAS application requirements, procedures, and fees, visit the PTCAS website.
On July 1, 2026, PTCAS will begin accepting applications. PTCAS applications must be completed and verified by November 1, 2026, for the class beginning in January 2028. Applicants should send all application materials directly to PTCAS. PTCAS will verify the application information and send completed applications to our program. Only PTCAS-verified applications can be considered for admissions. Although our deadline is November 1, keep in mind it can take up to a few weeks for you application to be verified by PTCAS so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Following the program's receipt of the PTCAS application, the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy Program admissions committee will review verified and completed applications. Based on the review, applicants are selected for acceptance to our program.
UAB will be offering an optional invitation only in-person Welcome Day Session in January 2027 for accepted applicants and those applicants on the alternate list. Those that attend will get to meet the faculty, staff, and current DPT students and they will learn about the curriculum, clinical rotations, research, and other program details. This in-person Welcome Day will occur in the School of Health Professions. If invited, details regarding this event will be included in the invitation following the program's receipt of the PTCAS application.
Transfer of Credit Policy
The UAB DPT Program will not accept transfer credits from other DPT programs because of the lack of consistency among DPT curricula.
Requirements
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Admission Requirements
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:
- PTCAS application must be complete and verified by PTCAS, by November 1, 2026.
- Have a minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) for the following grade point averages: 1) cumulative, 2) prerequisite, and 3) last 60 semester hours.
- The UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy Program recognizes students across many institutions were offered the pass/fail option due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 altered education experience. An applicant’s choice of pass/fail for a prerequisite or other course will not negatively affect the application. UAB DPT admissions follows the PTCAS policy: for “pass” classes, the student receives credit for the course, but that course is not factored into their GPA. For “fail” classes, the student does not get credit for the class, and the class factors into their GPA as a failed class. Students are encouraged to make decisions that work best for their situation. Please see the PTCAS website for additional information.
- 75% of prerequisite courses (i.e., 38 credits of prerequisite courses) must be completed by the end of the fall semester of the year of application. For example, applicants submitting their application by November 1, 2026, must have 75% of prerequisite courses completed by the end of the fall of 2026.
- The applicant must have a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
- Complete a required minimum of at least 20 hours of shadowing with a licensed physical therapist. Shadowing hours need to be verifiable by PTCAS. There is no required form for recording shadowing hours. Record the name, date/s worked, and contact information of the physical therapist with whom you shadowed, as well as the name and address of the facility at which you shadowed. This information must be uploaded into your PTCAS application.
- Submit three letters of recommendation to PTCAS. UAB will only accept letters of recommendation from PTCAS. The requirements for the letters of recommendation has changed for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. Three letters are required and the fourth letter is optional.
Once you have saved an electronic reference, an email request will automatically be sent to the referrer on your behalf. Please advise your referrer to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out. Please note: All references submitted within this section of your application are program specific. If you choose to remove this program from your application, please understand your letters will be deleted along with the program. - Letter 1: Written by a professor that can attest to your academic ability in the classroom. A professor that has taught you in a college course.
- Letters 2: Written by a licensed Physical Therapist with whom the applicant has shadowed/observed.
- Letter 3: Written by an individual with whom the applicant had interaction in a professional setting. The individual must be able to assess the applicant’s qualities as defined in the PTCAS recommendation form (e.g. Critical Thinking, Empathy, Ethics, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Oral Communication, Professional Behaviors, Response to Criticism, Responsibility, Stress Management, Team Skills, Time Management, Written Communication). The program recommends that this letter be completed by a licensed physical therapist, however, this is not a requirement.
- Letter 4: OPTIONAL and can be written by anyone.
- The UAB DPT Program will require the GRE for the 2026-2027 Admission Cycle. If you have taken the GRE, you may submit your test scores using school code 7801. If you are taking the GRE, take the general GRE test that includes three different sections: analytical writing, quantitative, and verbal.
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Prerequisite Requirements
Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours.
Arts and Humanities
- English Composition - EH 101, 102 (6 hours).
Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Psychology (6 hours).
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Anatomy* - BY 115 or BMD 310 (4 hours) (listed as Biology / Biological Science in PTCAS)
- Physiology* (Human or Mammalian) - BY 116 (4 hours)
- Biology* - BY 123 (Biology I) and BY 124 (Biology II) (8 hours)
- Chemistry* for science majors, with labs - CH 115/116 lab, CH 117/118 lab (8 hours)
- Medical Terminology - AHS 350 or HCM 350 (1-3 hours)
- Physics* - PH 201/201L lab** (4 hours), PH 202/202L lab** (4 hours) (total 8 hours) or PH 221/221L lab** (4 hours), PH 222/222L lab** (4 hours) (total 8 hours)
- Precalculus with Trigonometry - MA 106 (3 hours)
- Statistics (must be taken in Math, Psychology, Sociology or Educational Psychology) - MA 180, PY 216, SOC 410, PUH 250 or EPR 214 (3-4 hours)
*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).
To determine how your courses from other institutions equate to our prerequisites, please email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and provide the following details — the name of the Institution from which you took the course, include the city and state of the institution, the semester you took the course, the course number, the course syllabus, and include a transcript (unofficial is fine). If you have not taken the course yet, please reach out to that institution’s department and request the most current syllabus they can provide for that course. We will provide UAB equivalency. It may take up to two weeks to get a response. -
Essential Functions
Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, are outlined here. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the UAB Disability Support Services Office.
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Post-Acceptance Requirements
Students who are accepted into the UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy program must:
- Complete the UAB Graduate School application and 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.
- The UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy program will submit all transcripts that were submitted through PTCAS to the Graduate School; however, you will be responsible for sending any transcripts that were either not submitted or do not show degree awarded.
- Complete a criminal background check and drug screen before the first semester as specified by the Department of Physical Therapy.
- 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.
Evaluation Criteria
The UAB Department of Physical Therapy uses a holistic admissions approach congruent to our mission: “to prepare physical therapists who are evidence-based practitioners with the skills, knowledge and behaviors to deliver value-based physical therapy services, consultation, education, critical inquiry and administration, with a primary focus on clinical practice involving diverse populations.” Therefore, the admissions committee considers all aspects of the application submitted to PTCAS.
Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:
- Overall GPA, Prerequisite GPA, last 60 hours GPA.
- Quality of answers to the essay questions in the PTCAS application.
- Quality of KIRA Assessment. Please dress professionally and record in a quiet, neutral space.
- Quality of letters of recommendation
- Holistic Admissions Assessment (To be determined)
- GRE Score
KIRA Assessment
The KIRA assessment is a series of video and written questions that will take the place of in-person interviews. The assessment is a required scored component of your application. If the assessment is incomplete, your application will not be considered for admissions.
This assessment will give you a set amount of time to prepare and a set amount of time to respond to each question. The KIRA assessment will be scored by multiple members of the UAB DPT faculty. The assessment should take less than 60minutes to complete, and can be done on your own time. We highly recommend applicants utilize the practice feature multiple times to get familiar with the format prior to completing the formal assessment. Each applicant only gets one chance to complete the formal KIRA assessment.
To improve your assessment please consider:
- Background and camera angle
- Attire should be professional
- Answer all components of the question
- This assessment is your interview
All applicants will be rated on the following competency areas:
- Innovative and entrepreneurial
- Resilience and grit
- Compassion, empathy, and emotional intelligence
- Problem solving
- Cultural humility
PTCAS Application Troubleshooting
Please avoid these common mistakes as you complete your PTCAS application:
- All college transcripts were not sent to PTCAS. This includes all courses taken at community colleges, even during high school.
- The letters of recommendation were not completed. The professor letter must be from a professor whose course you took as an undergraduate student and who can attest to your academic strengths. The professional letter cannot be from a neighbor, friend or minister, unless you have worked with or for that individual.
- The PTCAS course matching service was retained, but the applicant did not ‘accept’ the courses they matched in their PTCAS application and thus your application is unable to be verified.
Admissions Process Timeline
- July 1 – November 1, 2026 – Complete PTCAS application.
- December – Students notified about admissions status.
- January 2027 – Optional invitation only in-person Welcome Day.
- January 10, 2028 – Program begins.
GRE Preparation Resources
The Admissions Committee for UAB DPT Program would like to connect our prospective students with some helpful resources to start planning for completion of this application requirement. We also highly recommend consulting with your undergraduate institutional library or your local community library for more resources.
- GRE General Information: Learn About GRE Opens an external link.
- GRE Fee Reduction Program: GRE General Test Fees Opens an external link.
- GRE Practice Tests:
- UAB Students can access GRE prep content from Lister Hill: UAB Lister Hill GRE Prep Resources Opens an external link.
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Doctor of Physical Therapy
The UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is ranked #12 by U.S. News & World Report. We are #1 in the state of Alabama and among the top 5 percent of DPT programs in the U.S. Our DPT program prepares research-based, practice-ready physical therapists through a rigorous curriculum grounded in population health, leadership development, and the advancement of the profession delivered by distinguished faculty.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
The mission of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to prepare physical therapists who are evidence-based practitioners with the skills, knowledge and behaviors to deliver value-based physical therapy services, consultation, education, critical inquiry and administration, with a primary focus on clinical practice involving diverse populations.
Upon completion of the program, our DPT graduates are prepared to:
- Deliver value-based and consumer-centered patient/client management to diverse populations to optimize movement, function and health.
- Abide by national and state regulatory and legal standards and adhere to the core values and ethical principles adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
- Engage in interprofessional collaborative practice by effectively educating, communicating and partnering with consumers, peers, other healthcare and non-healthcare providers, regulatory agencies, third-party payers, and other stakeholders.
- Critically appraise the literature and other resources to guide evidence-based physical therapy practice.
- Influence the ever-changing health care landscape through personal leadership, advocacy, lifelong learning in the clinic, community, professional organizations and society.
Program Outcomes (Classes of 2023 and 2024)
- Graduation Rate: 96.33%
- First Time Licensure Examination Pass Rate: 89.3%
- Ultimate Licensure Examination Pass Rate: 97.05% (as of 07/2025)
- Employment Rate: 100%
Did You Know?
- The length of study for this program is nine semesters.
- Students enter the program during the Spring semester.
Certifications and Licensures
The UAB Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program is designed to lead to professional licensure in Physical Therapy. While graduates of the program are eligible for the licensure examination, specific licensure requirements vary from state to state. The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) based on the following: Accreditation of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program by CAPTE satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website.
Please visit the UAB Professional Licensure and Certification General Disclosures webpage for more information on state and territories requirements.
Accreditation Statement
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email:
Additional Information
Learn more about tuition and fees on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
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