Doctor of Physical Therapy Prerequisites
Program Description
Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE) through the year 2008. The DPT Program is scheduled to go through the re-accreditation process in 2008.
The three-year DPT program has two components: academic and clinical. The academic component, via classroom and laboratory experiences, includes foundational/applied sciences, behavioral sciences, and clinical sciences. Clinical education, which consists of 36 weeks of clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, allows the student to apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors learned during the academic component. Clinical experiences focus on basic, musculoskeletal, and neurologic skills. Students also participate in a clinical experience designed to meet individual interests, which may include pediatrics, sports medicine, women’s health, etc. Sites for clinical experiences are located primarily throughout Texas and the Southwestern US, but can be located anywhere in the US mainland. Students should anticipate additional costs during their clinical experiences. Students must pass a criminal background check in order to participate in clinical experiences. Many clinical education sites also require a drug screening prior to beginning the experience.
The DPT program is housed on three campuses within the TTUHSC system: Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa. Class sizes at all campuses are restricted to ensure optimal student/instructor ratios and to maximize comprehensive instructional and laboratory experiences. Faculty and students on all campuses communicate with each other in person, via a state-of-the-art interactive multimedia environment, by e-mail, and by telephone. Students entering the program should possess basic computer skills, including the use of e-mail, accessing the internet, and the use of word processing programs. Computer labs are located on each campus to meet the information technology needs of the student.
Successful completion of the professional curriculum leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. After graduating from an accredited physical therapy professional education program, physical therapist candidates must pass a national licensure examination in order to practice physical therapy. Additional licensure requirements for physical therapists vary from state to state, according to practice acts and state regulations that govern the practice of physical therapy.
Admission to the Program
The professional phase of physical therapy education begins in late May each year. A Bachelor’s Degree is required for admission in addition to the specific coursework listed below.
G.P.A. Requirements
Competitive* cumulative and prerequisite science grade point averages (GPA’s) are required for admission. (*“Competitive GPA” relates to the strength of the applicant pool during the year of application.) Further information related to GPA can be located on our DPT FAQ page.
Experience
Applicants are expected to have some experience of the profession prior to application. This experience may be acquired in several ways, including volunteer work, paid employment, or observations in clinical settings. Applicants must have completed at least 100 clock hours of experience in a physical therapy setting prior to May 1 of the year of matriculation. Applicants are encouraged to get as much experience in as many different settings (inpatient, outpatient, rehab, acute care, aquatics, wound care etc.) as possible. Greater clock hours of experience in a variety of settings will strengthen an application.
Prerequisite Requirements to be completed
| General Chemistry (for majors, lab required | 8 hours |
| General Physics (for majors, lab required) | 8 hours |
| General Biology (for majors, lab required) | 8 hours |
| Anatomy and Physiology (for majors, lab required) | 6-8 hours |
| Psychology (one course must be developmental) | 6 hours |
| Math (College Algebra) | 3 hours |
| Statistics | 3 hours |
| English or Technical Writing | 6 hours |
**Recommended courses: Additional English, technical writing, speech, advanced human physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, motor control and core coursework required for a bachelor’s degree.
The Application Process
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. Application deadlines are September 15th for the early admission cycle and January 15th for the regular admission cycle. Consideration for early admission is reserved for those individuals that have a complete application package (including completion of all or most of the prerequisite coursework) and competitive GPA. Classes for each new cohort of students begin in late May. Individual applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled for competitive applicants once all materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete their application, including submission of transcripts and clinical experience documentation forms, as early as possible. Two completed recommendation forms are required as part of the application, and should be completed by the following: one from professional personnel who has observed the applicant during any related volunteer or paid work, and one from a previous or present instructor and/or counselor or from a previous or present employer.
Applicants who meet the above listed requirements and are deemed competitive candidates for admission will be invited to TTUHSC for interviews. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. The admissions committee selects the most qualified applicants from the pool of applicants interviewed considering: cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, interview scores, volunteer/work experience in physical therapy, recommendation letters, student essay, and other factors.
Applicants must have completed all prerequisites prior to matriculation into the DPT program. Applicants to the physical therapy program should understand that students admitted to the program are assigned to a specific campus (Lubbock, Amarillo, or Odessa), and requests for campus changes are not typically granted. Students who are unable or unwilling to accept assignment to a specific campus should not accept admission to the Physical Therapy program. All students attend classes during the first summer session on the Lubbock campus.
All applications are made online at the following web address:
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/admissions/application.aspx
Additional application materials should be sent to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Office of the Registrar, 3601 4th Street, Stop 8310, Lubbock, Texas 79430.
Essential Functions
A student admitted into the DPT program must meet essential functions that are necessary to be able to obtain employment. These are established minimum physical and mental guidelines necessary for the DPT program. Prior to matriculation, all students must submit verification of their ability to perform at or above the minimum physical and mental guidelines established by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (DRS). Applicants may obtain a written copy of the essential functions from the DPT program director or you may find a list of the essential functions for the DPT program and DRS in the DRS Student Handbook. Please become familiar with the essential functions document. (http://www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/current/handbooks.aspx)