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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an answer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 205-934-3566 or email jbraswel@uab.edu.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.
