Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter which school I attend to earn my Bachelor's degree?
No, but the school must be accredited by an accreditation body recognized by UNTHSC. All bachelor's degrees must be obtained at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university to be deemed acceptable.

Do I have to have a Bachelor's degree in order to be accepted for the DPT program?
Yes. You must have an earned bachelor's degree from the United States prior to matriculation into the program. Since our DPT program begins classes in mid-summer, your degree must be conferred by May prior to matriculation. (August/summer graduation is not acceptable)

What is the best major to have to prepare me for the DPT program?
The Admissions Committee does not recommend a particular academic major or course of study for applicants. The Admissions Committee encourages you to pursue an undergraduate major that allows you to develop strong analytical skills and a basis in science which will contribute to your success in the DPT program. Some more popular majors for those planning to continue to physical therapy school include kinesiology, exercise science, biology, and psychology. We recommend you choose a major or minor that allows you to easily integrate mandatory prerequisite coursework as well as strongly recommended coursework into your degree plan.

Does UNTHSC offer any of the prerequisite courses?
No. UNTHSC is a graduate only campus and does not offer courses at the undergraduate level. There are many local colleges and universities including both public and private institutions where prerequisite coursework is offered. Please contact the advising office at your institution or the department offering the course for information about prerequisites.

Can I take the academic prerequisites for the PT program at a community college?
Yes, as long as the course description adequately matches the description of our program's required academic prerequisites.  Please note that all science classes must be for science majors and have a laboratory component.  If you need assistance in determining if a specific course qualifies, please contact your academic advising/counseling office at your institution or the department from which the course is offered. If your academic advisor is unable to assist you, please contact the director or dean of advising at your institution or the associated academic department(s). Many colleges and universities have a pre-health advising office. If your institution is unsure whether a course is acceptable, they may contact us directly with the institution name, course number, course title, course description, and the direct link to the institution catalog.

Are prerequisite courses taken at a community college considered less competitive than those taken at the university level?
In some instances, universities, faculty members, or the Admissions Committee may view community college coursework as less rigorous than coursework undertaken at the university level. The Admissions Committee and Admissions Staff are aware of the general reputation of most colleges and universities, however, the admissions office has no method to evaluate the difficulty level of individual coursework or faculty member(s) the particular semester you took a particular course. We encourage you to pursue the best education possible. If you take coursework at a community college due to financial hardship, full-time employment, child care/family obligations or other extenuating circumstances, please indicate as much through your application. We encourage you to research funding opportunities such as scholarships, grants, and other forms financial aid for all academic courses you pursue. Please check with the financial aid and scholarships office at your institution for more information about funding.

Is there a time limit on the prerequisite coursework?
UNTHSC Department of Physical Therapy does not set a time limit or expiration date on prerequisite coursework, however, if you feel you need to revise your knowledge by repeating or auditing coursework, we encourage you to do so. There is no time limit on prerequisite coursework and prerequisite coursework does not expire. Some institutions or departments may require updated courses, so please check with each institution/program for its policy regarding repeating coursework.
 

How do I know if the course I am taking satisfies an academic prerequisite?
Please contact the advising/counseling office at your institution or the department offering the course for information about prerequisites. If you are a recent graduate, contact either your alma mater or the institution at which you plan to enroll in courses. Most colleges and universities provide an online catalog or bulletin with detailed course descriptions as well as a projected/current academic schedule of courses offered.

The admissions office evaluates your graduate application for competitive standing. Admissions is not able to advise you regarding degree plan requirements for your specific college or institution and will not provide information about your institution's degree plan. Consult with your assigned academic advisor, school counselor, or pre-health professions advisor with questions regarding degree plan advising at your institution. If you need assistance in determining whether a specific course meets a prerequisite requirement, please check with your academic advisor/counselor, pre-health advising office, or department from which the course is offered. If your institution is unsure whether a course is acceptable, please contact us by e-mail with the institution name, course number, course title, course description, and the direct link to the institution catalog.

 
From whom should I request recommendation letters?
We suggest that you obtain as many of your letters of recommendation as possible from physical therapists with whom you have worked or completed volunteer/observation hours. Other letters may be from professors, employers, or community leaders, or other individuals who can offer insight into your academic record, your volunteer experience, your character and integrity, or your potential for success in a doctoral level program. Letters must be submitted in a sealed envelope on official letterhead of the institution/business of the recommender. If your reference writer does not have official letterhead, please have him/her include full name, title, professional credential, and contact information including physical address, contact phone, and e-mail.

Are volunteer hours or work experience in Physical Therapy required?
No, however, a competitive applicant will have exposure hours in a variety of PT settings. 

How do I document my volunteer and work hours?
You will document your hours in the Volunteer Hours section of the online application. Documentation and/or verification from PT  or other sites is not required. All information submitted in the online application must be true and accurate to the best of each applicant's knowledge. Any applicant or admitted student who provides misleading, untrue, or inaccurate information, including falsified volunteer, work, or shadowing hours submitted in the application will be subject to academic dishonesty and ethical policies. Please see the University catalog for more information.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
No, the GRE is not required and scores will not be added to applicant files nor considered in the admissions process.

How do I apply?
The application is available online at my.hsc.unt.edu between May 1st and January 15th. The priority deadline is October 1st. An application will not be reviewed until the online application is complete, and all materials are received in the School of Health Professions Admissions Office.

How do I know if the Admissions Office has received my application and materials?

Once you submit your online application, we will be prompted to process your file. Upon processing of your application, you will be sent an automated e-mail with instructions regarding viewing the status of your application. This email contains your Enterprise User Identification (EUID) and Personal Identification Number (PIN). With the EUID and PIN, applicants can access the status of their documents received by the Admissions Office, as well as get additional information about the admissions process.

How do I access the status of my application? What if I have not received my EUID and PIN?

All applicants, excluding previous UNT Denton, Dallas, or HSC students, will be sent an e-mail with instructions regarding viewing the status of their applications. This email contains your Enterprise User Identification (EUID) and Personal Identification Number (PIN). With the EUID and PIN, applicants can access the status of their documents received by the Admissions Office, as well as get additional information about the admissions process. If your application has been submitted you should receive your EUID and PIN e-mail within 5 business days. Please check your spam or junk mail folder. Students who have attended UNT Denton, Dallas, or HSC Fort Worth use the same EUID and PIN that was assigned to them previously. If you have forgotten your EUID or password, please see my.hsc.unt.edu and manage your EUID or password.

May I call the Admissions Office to see if my application and materials have arrived?

Contacting the Admissions Office by phone and/or e-mail does not accelerate the receipt or review of your materials. Contacting the Admissions Office about the receipt of materials only slows the processing time for you and all other applicants.

We encourage you to use your admissions portal to check the status of your received materials, including transcripts and letters of reference. Once your application is submitted, we will review your file and update your received materials as they arrive. Mail is received and updated on a daily basis Monday through Friday. Please do not submit materials prior to completing your online application. Missing materials will be listed on your 'To Do' list. Please note that we do not notify you once your application is complete. Please log in to your admissions portal to view the status of your application.

Applicants who are in the process of completing their online profile are encouraged to complete and submit the application before the January 15 deadline. If you have not yet requested transcripts or letters of reference, you must do so immediately. Late applications and materials will not be accepted. 

Once your application has been processed, you will be able to log in with your EUID and PIN to check your status. If you have applied or attended UNT in the past, you already have an EUID and PIN.

May I apply and interview even though I lack prerequisite credits?
You may apply and interview even if all of your prerequisites are not completed.  If offered a position in the class, the offer will be "conditional" upon your completing all of the program requirements prior to the beginning date. Applicants who fail to complete prerequisite coursework prior to matriculation will have their application withdrawn and/or their admissions offer forfeited. We strongly recommend having the majority of your academic prerequisite work completed prior to interviewing. If your prerequisite coursework is in progress at the time of your interview, please update us with your transcripts as soon as grades are posted.
 

What is the DPT program?

The DPT is an entry-level professional program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.  The program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree and are seeking a professional licensure as a physical therapist.

How many candidates are accepted to the Physical Therapy program?
30 candidates will be accepted the first year. We plan to accept up to 40 candidates in 2011, contingent upon our faculty-to-student ratio.

What are the characteristics of an ideal candidate for your program?
An ideal candidate must demonstrate that s/he has a strong work ethic and desire to enter the physical therapy profession. He or she will have a combination of life, work and academic experience that shows a commitment to perform under the demands of a challenging academic and professional program.

How do I make my application more competitive?
A competitive applicant will have met all of the prerequisites and have obtained a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework prior to applying to UNTHSC. All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. As with other universities or colleges, higher GPA's make a more competitive candidate. Your goal is to be competitive and academically prepared to successfully handle the demands of the program's curriculum. In addition to academics, the admissions committee evaluates the applicant as a whole. The quality and quantity of academic preparation, letters of recommendation, exposure to physical therapy, and community service activities reflected in your application materials and statements are all part of the evaluation process.

What is the application/interview time frame?
May 1 - Application opens

October 1 - Priority deadline

Mid November - Early interviews begin

January 15 - Application closes. All applications and materials, including transcripts, recommendation letters and application fee, must have arrived in the Office of Admissions.

January 1 – March 1 – Admission Interviews continue

What is the length of the program and what degree is awarded?
The DPT program is 30 consecutive months, beginning in July.  A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is awarded.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the program?
This question is difficult, if not impossible, to answer. There is no way to determine what the quality or quantity of each year's applicant pool will consist of. A variety of candidates with various backgrounds will apply to the program each year, and a variety of applicants will be deemed admissible. There is no way to say who will or will not be admitted, nor can any guarantee be made about any particular applicant's chances to gain admittance. A good beginning strategy is to present yourself in the most professional and courteous manner possible when completing your application, corresponding with the Admissions Staff, and interviewing with the PT faculty.

Do you give preference to in-state applicants?
No.

What is the time commitment and can I work while in school?
You will be expected to be available for class from 8 a.m - 5 p.m, Monday-Friday. Due to the time commitment necessary to attend classes and study, we recommend that you do not work while in the program.

Can you attend the DPT program part-time?
No.  Due to the fixed sequence of the didactic curriculum, all students must enroll on a full-time basis.

How much is tuition?
Tuition information is available on the UNTHSC Tuition and Fees register. Tuition and fees are subject to increase or decrease by action of the Texas Legislature and/or the Board of Regents of UNT. An estimate of fees for year one is available now. Please note that out of 99 credit hours total, the first academic year offers a higher percentage of credit hours than years two and three. Resident tuition is currently $224 per credit hour and non resident tuition is currently $534 per credit hour. The DPT program curriculum contains 99 credit hours.

I already have a medical degree from another country. Do I have to complete all prerequisites?
Yes. Each applicant is viewed individually. Each applicant must complete all the program requirements as outlined in the official catalog, including prerequisite coursework and earn a bachelor's degree from the United States at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. Please note that the requirement for a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution  will not be waived and exceptions are not permitted. Foreign degrees are not considered equivalent nor are they accepted in lieu of an earned bachelor's degree from the U.S. The program does not accept foreign coursework.

What is the course load like? What courses will I be taking in this program?
The course load will vary from 20 to 24 hours per semester during the fall and spring, and from six to nine credit hours during the summer. For a description of the courses that are taken in the DPT program, please refer to our Curriculum page.

Is housing available on the UNTHSC campus?
No, UNTHSC does not have housing on campus. UNTHSC has partnered with Real Estate with Honors to allow users to search for a variety of housing options in the Fort Worth area.  This site is constantly updated with new properties and is designed to provide a comprehensive housing experience to reduce anxiety and eliminate many of the typical hassles involved in house or apartment shopping. For more information and to view current housing opportunities please visit www.UNTHSCRealEstateWithHonors.com.

Is financial aid available?
Our Financial Aid department can assist you with obtaining further information about other financial aid that is offered through our University.  Please contact them directly on the Financial Aid Web site or by phone at 817-735-2505.

What is the Physical Therapy job market like?
The United States Department of Labor has current information about the physical therapy job market. Additionally, the American Physical Therapy Association should be able to provide you with further information.

What if I still have questions?
You may e-mail us at PTAdmissions@unthsc.edu or call us at 817-735-2003 for more information. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are not available by phone or e-mail Saturdays and Sundays. If you receive our voice mail box, we are currently assisting another applicant on the line or in a vital meeting. Please leave your name, contact information, and the nature of your call and we will return your call as quickly as possible. Please note that multiple contacts by e-mail and phone only slow our receipt of your message and response time to your inquiry. If you have not received a response within three business days, it is most likely that your message was not received and we encourage you to resend your message at that time.