Department of Physical Therapy

Return to: College of Health Sciences

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Telephone: (302) 831-8910
https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/pt/dpt/
Faculty Listing: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/pt/faculty/

Program Overview

The Physical Therapy Department provides academic and clinical training commensurate with the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This entry-level degree program qualifies the graduate to sit for the national physical therapy examination to become licensed in the United States as a physical therapist. The UD DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program is full-time and of two and one-half years duration, including all summer and winter sessions. Part-time matriculation is not permitted.

The Physical Therapy Department is housed in the Health Sciences Complex at the STAR Campus. The Department has modern, well-equipped laboratories for research, teaching, and clinical practice. In addition, there are two on-site, full-service physical therapy clinics wherein DPT students and residents receive clinical practice opportunities and training. Also located on the STAR Campus are the human anatomy and simulation laboratories wherein experiential learning opportunities are provided to complement classroom instruction.

Requirements for Admission

Candidates with baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges and universities will be eligible to apply for admission into the DPT graduate program. All international transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) credential agency prior to application. Applicants must follow the application procedures outlined on the Physical Therapy Department website. Sixty students will be admitted annually into the program.

Admission to the program is competitive. Acceptance is based on demonstrated academic excellence, a favorable interview, evidence of physical therapy clinical experience, quality of written essays, and supportive letters of recommendation.

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies.

It is recommended that candidates review the technical standards, found in the DPT Program Policy Document on the Department website (see Student Resources page) prior to submitting their application.

The minimum entrance requirements for the DPT program include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Completion of all required prerequisite coursework with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and quantitative scores (analytical writing score is not utilized).
• Documented volunteer or paid clinical experience in a physical therapy setting under the direct supervision of a U.S. licensed or educated physical therapist (50 hours minimum).
• Three letters of recommendation (two from U.S. licensed or educated physical therapists; one from a professor of an upper-level course).
• If selected, an interview with the Admissions Committee.

Students whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit their scores directly to UD. The preferred minimum scores are 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (Internet-based test, IBT). Following are the preferred minimum scores on individual sections of the TOEFL:

• Reading: 26
• Writing: 24
• Listening: 22
• Speaking: 26

Prerequisite coursework requirements are:

• Psychology - Introductory - 1 course (3 credits)
• Statistics - Introductory - 1 course (3 credits)
• Chemistry with Lab - Introductory - 2 courses (8 credits)
• Physics with Lab - Introductory - 2 courses (8 credits)
• Biology with Lab - Introductory - 2 courses (8 credits)
• Human or Mammalian Anatomy with Lab* - 1 course (4 credits)
• Human or Mammalian Physiology with Lab* - 1 course (4 credits)

* May substitute a two-course sequence of anatomy and physiology for the above asterisked requirements.

Programs

• Physical Therapy (DPT)

Return to: College of Health Sciences