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         Welcome to the Admissions Page for the UTC Physical Therapy Program.

                                     

The deadline for the PTCAS application cycle for Fall 2013 has passed. The fall 2014 application cycle will open July 2, 2013. Additional information is also available at the UTC PTCAS Program Web Site.

PLEASE READ THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY AS SEVERAL CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE FALL 2014 APPLICATION CYCLE. THESE CHANGES HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.

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EARLY DECISION for FALL 2014:

UTC Physical Therapy is participating in the PTCAS early decision program.

Early decision (ED) is a binding option for PTCAS applicants who designate our program an ED candidate.  Applicants may apply to only one ED program in PTCAS. In addition to the PTCAS application, applicants must arrange for PTCAS to receive all official U.S. transcripts and fee payment by August 15th.

Applicants must complete six of the nine science prerequisites by the end of the spring 2013 semester to ensure transcripts will arrive to PTCAS by the August 15th deadline.  If the application, transcripts, or fee arrive after the ED deadline, PTCAS will automatically change the applicant’s file from early decision status to “regular” status. 

To avoid missing the deadline, applicants should not hold transcripts for summer courses, but should request transcripts be sent from all institutions as soon as the application cycle opens in July. Summer 2013 grades may be submitted along with Fall 2013 grades in the December/January Academic Update period.  

Admission decisions for ED candidates will be made by September 24th. If accepted by UTC, an ED applicant will not be permitted to apply to any other programs via PTCAS. If UTC denies or moves the applicant’s file to "regular" status, then the applicant will be allowed to apply to other programs in PTCAS for an additional fee ($35 each).

To be eligible for early decision, applicants must have the following:

  • Minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 3.4 GPA for the nine science prerequisites (listed below under "Eligibility Requirements")
  • Minimum 3.5 GRE analytical writing score
  • Minimum 300 GRE combined verbal and quantitative score

To be considered as an Early Decision candidate, all application materials (including all transcripts) must be recieved by PTCAS by August 15, 2013.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE GRE REVISED GENERAL TEST:

GRE test scores are valid for five years, however, all applicants for Fall 2013 and beyond are strongly encouraged to take the new Revised GRE General test.

Applicants should use the new UTC PTCAS Code 0464. (Do not use 1831.)

Quick Links

Program Admissions:

Application Forms:

Helpful Links:

Admissions News:

 

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Program Admissions and PTCAS

Our program accepts 30 students per academic year.  Applicants are very competitive and have excelled in their undergraduate and prerequisite coursework.  GRE scores along with science and cumulative GPAs are the primary factors used to determine admission- our program does not interview candidates. Our required minimum cumulative and science GPA is 3.2.  However, the combined average GPAs for the classes of 2014 -2016 were a 3.83 cumulative GPA and a 3.80 science GPA. There is no minimum verbal and quantitative combined GRE score required for regular decision applicants, (early decision requires a 300) but the combined average score for the classes of 2014-2016 was 313. Beginning fall 2014 we will require a minimum 3.0 analytical writing score for regular decision applicants and a 3.5 for early decision applicants.

Each year, we have approximately 250- 300qualified applications.  A class of 30 students is admitted each fall semester.  For the past three years (2009-11), the graduation rate from the program was 91%.  For this same time period, 100% of our graduates have passed the physical therapy license examination and were employed in the profession.

 

Application Deadline - In order to provide the opportunity to receive notification of program admission as early as possible we have established a soft deadline of October 1st, with a close date of November 15th.  The deadline for early decision candidates is August 15th. 

With a soft deadline you can still apply to the program after the deadline has passed. However, we may give less or no consideration to applicants who apply after the soft deadline. It is possible that our program may move from a soft to a firm deadline at any point during the cycle.

Prerequisite Coursework-

  • There are twelve required prerequisite courses:   Biology I & II, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry I & II, Physics I & II, Exercise Physiology, Statistics, Introduction to Psychology and one additional 200 level (or above) Psychology course.  
  • Nine of these courses (indicated below) are used to calculate the science GPA. 
  • Six of the nine courses comprising the science GPA must be completed at the time of application. 
  • All twelve prerequisites must be completed prior to entering the program.
  • Statistics and the two psychology prerequisites do not have to be completed at the time of application.
  • Please note that all science courses must be appropriate for majors in that discipline. While a course may transfer as an equivalent for the purposes of an undergraduate degree, undergraduate science courses that are designated as courses for non-majors are not accepted as prerequisites for entry into the DPT program. Please contact the department with questions regarding the appropriateness of courses if you have questions. You may also contact the department for equivalency information for specific four-year schools.

 

Eligibility Requirements - Applicants must have the following to apply:

  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2/4.0
  • Minimum science grade point average of 3.2/4.0.  Nine of the twelve prerequisite courses are used to calculate the science GPA. These nine courses are:
    • Biology I & II (or a second, higher-level biology course- 8 semester hours)
    • Chemistry I & II (8 semester hours)
    • Physics I & II (8 semester hours)
    • Human Anatomy, Human Physiology (8 semester hours)
    • Exercise Physiology (3 semester hours)
      These courses should be appropriate for majors in that discipline.
  • Completed six of the nine science prerequisites listed above. (Grades/ credit must be reflected on transcripts sent to PTCAS)
  • Competitive GRE General Test Scores no more than five years old. The three sections required are verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Be sure to use the UTC PTCAS Code 0464. A minimum 3.0 analytical writing score is required. There is no minimum verbal and quantitative score required for regular decision applicants, but the score is weighed heavily as part of the admissions process. Early decision requires a minimum score of 300 and an analytical writing score of 3.5.  You are permitted to take the GRE multiple times.
  • Two PTCAS references, including one from a licensed physical therapist.
  • PT observation hours. See Application Instructions for details.
  • Essential Functions- Physical therapy students must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, each of these essential functions in order to fully participate in our program (including clinical experiences) and successfully complete the requirements for a doctorate degree in physical therapy.  Applicants are asked to certify that they are able to complete each of these essential functions as a PT student with or without reasonable accommodations as part of the PTCAS application.

 

Admission Contingencies - Applicants must achieve the following for program admission:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution prior to beginning the professional program.  Degree completion is not required to apply.
  • Maintain a minimum of 3.2/4.0 cumulative and science GPA.
  • Provide evidence of completing all twelve program prerequisites with a minimum grade of "C" prior to entering the professional program.
  • Manually update fall course grades and In Progress courses in PTCAS. Provide a copy of all updated transcripts to PTCAS by the Academic Update deadline.  Instructions for PTCAS Academic Update can be found on the PTCAS web site.
  • Submit updated transcripts for fall and spring courses to the UTC Graduate School by June 1 and also in August, if taking summer courses. 
  • One course (1-3 hours) in Medical Terminology is strongly recommended.  Accepted applicants who have not completed medical terminology will be required to pass a test during the first week of classes. Students who are unsuccessful on the exam must take an on-line medical terminology class during the first year of the professional program.

 

How To Apply

Application Instructions Fall 2014- This includes instructions for submitting supplemental materials. DO NOT submit supplemental materials (including transcripts and the UTC Graduate School application) unless requested to do so by the program.

Prerequisite Checklist

Print and read both the 2013 Application Instructions and Eligibility Requirements and the Prerequisite Checklist before completing your PTCAS Application. Should you have questions about this information after you have reviewed it, please contact us at 423.425.4747 or PT-Program@utc.edu.  PDF files require free Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 (help). 

After reading the Application Instructions, please login or create a new account with Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). "P-T-KAS" is a web-based centralized application service that will allow you to use one set of materials to apply to multiple PT programs.

Click Here For PTCAS General Instructions and Important Information

Click Here For Application Status Definitions and other FAQs about PTCAS

Click Here For Our Program Requirement Listed on the PTCAS Web Site

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Helpful Links

UTC Graduate School Application

Equivalency Charts - Use this link to find course equivalents. Please note that all science courses should be appropriate for majors in that discipline.  While a course may transfer as an equivalent for the purposes of an undergraduate degree, undergraduate science courses that are designated as courses for non-majors may not be accepted as prerequisites for entry into the DPT program.  Please contact the department with questions regarding the appropriateness of courses if you have questions. You may also contact the department for equivalency information for specific schools.

GPA Calculator- Calculate your Science GPA (Biology I, Biology II, Chemistry I, Chemistry II, Physics I, Physics II, Anatomy, Physiology and Exercise Physiology) and determine the grades needed in your remaining courses to raise your GPA.

Converting Quarter Hours to Semester Hours

Financial Aid - Here you will find program specific financial aid information and a link to the UTC Financial Aid web site.

Tuition & Fees

Petition Forms

In-State and Out-of-State Classification

Regional Tuition Credit

  • Regional Tuition Credit- for entry-level DPT students who are residents of Catoosa, Dade, Fannin, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield counties in Georgia and Jackson county in Alabama.  Eligible students pay a tuition rate equal to in-house fees plus 25 percent of out of state tuition.  Current regional tuition rates are available from the Bursar's Office.

Criminal Background Checks

Our Department requires criminal background checks and/or drug tests for all enrolled students, in order to verify an individual’s suitability to participate in experiential education rotations and to ensure patient safety. Do not complete a background check until you are requested to do so by the DPT program.

Procedure for obtaining an approved Level 2 Criminal Background Check

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Admissions News

 

APTA New Release

PHYSICAL THERAPY: A CAREER THAT FITS YOUR FUTURE

 

"Alexandria, VA – For Americans looking for a rewarding career in a struggling job market and down economy, a career in physical therapy could be the perfect answer. Boasting plentiful job openings, strong job security, flexibility and a high satisfaction rating among those working in the field, a career in physical therapy has been ranked among the best jobs in America by major publications, including CNNMoney.com, Forbes, and US News & World Report."...

Click Here to Read Full Release

Filing a complaint with CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education)

If you have a concern about accreditation status or wish to express a concern about accreditation, you are encouraged to contact CAPTE.