Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a number of questions that prospective students and applicants tend to have. For any additional questions, feel free to reach out to our admissions team at PT.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu
Is the CU DPT Program accredited?
- Yes, both the Anschutz Residential Pathway and the UCCS Hybrid Pathway are accredited through CAPTE as part of the CU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Is there a difference in the number of students in a class cohort?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
The Residential Pathway cohort will be between 68-74 students. | The Hybrid Pathway cohort will be between 32-40 students. |
What are the physical locations of each campus?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
| The Residential campus is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) in Aurora, CO with faculty and staff from the CU School of Medicine. The primary DPT classrooms and lab spaces are based at CU Anschutz. | While courses are taught in an online environment, students will be required to attend lab immersions each semester. The Hybrid Pathway lab immersions are located at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) with faculty and staff from the UCCS Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the CU School of Medicine. The primary DPT lab spaces are based at the UCCS William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center (Hybl Center). |
When do classes begin?
- Classes begin at the beginning of June of each year for both the Residential and Hybrid pathways. There is also a mandatory orientation over the course of two days during the week prior to the start of class.
How long does it take to complete a DPT?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
| Students complete the 116 credit-hour DPT residential pathway at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in 2.5 years. | Students complete the 116 credit-hour DPT hybrid pathway online with periodic lab immersions at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Campus (UCCS) in 2.5 years. |
Can I use campus resources?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
| Yes. Students in the DPT residential pathway have access to the facilities and amenities on the Anschutz Medical Campus. | Yes. Students in the DPT hybrid pathway will have access to UCCS on-site facilities, amenities, and additional resources at UCCS during immersion sessions and other program-related visits to the campus.
Students in the Hybrid Pathway are enrolled through the CU School of Medicine (CU SOM). Therefore, they have access to Student Services through the Anschutz Medical Campus (including the Registrar, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Office of Disability, Access and Inclusion, and Veteran & Military Student Services). |
Is the DPT degree offered by both campuses the same degree?
- Yes, the earned degree is a DPT degree from the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program.
CU Anschutz and UCCS are academic partners within the CU System who provide a unified academic curriculum offered at a residential campus in Aurora, CO and a hybrid campus in Colorado Springs, CO.
Is the PTCAS application the same for both the traditional and hybrid pathways?
- Yes, there will be one application for both pathways. Applicants will be asked to answer whether they want to only be considered for one pathway, or whether they prefer one but would consider either. Based on the applicant’s choice they would then be directed to a slightly different essay question.
Are there differences in accreditation for the residential and hybrid pathways?
| Residential Pathway - Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
| In 2021, the Physical Therapy Program at University of Colorado was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for the residential pathway (hybrid pathway not developed at that time). The accreditation status remains in effect for the full 10-year period until 2031, when the program will complete a self-study report and on-site review for re-accreditation. | On November 23, 2022, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) approved the Application for Approval of Substantive Change, allowing the University of Colorado to begin offering the hybrid pathway. |
What degree do I need to have in order to enroll in either pathway?
- The degree requirements are the same for either pathway. A bachelor’s degree or higher in any field except physical therapy is needed to enroll. It is permissible to apply before the bachelor’s degree is completed, but enrollment in the program will not be allowed until the bachelor’s degree is awarded.
How does an applicant know if the PT Program has received the completed and verified application from PTCAS?
- It is the applicants’ responsibility to make sure that all documents have been received by PTCAS. Therefore, applicants should occasionally check the status of their application, by accessing the PTCAS student portal. It takes PTCAS about 4-6 weeks to verify an application.
- Once the PT program has received a verified application from PTCAS, an email will be sent to an applicant stating that the application has been received and is under review.
- Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications that have not been verified through PTCAS by the verification deadline (usually early November) will not be considered.
Are interviews a required part of the application process for either pathway?
- Yes, interviews are a required part of the application process for both pathways. A portion of qualified applicants are invited for mandatory interviews, which typically take place in January. Class of 2027 Interviews will be held January 2025 (exact dates and format TBD). Applicants will complete two, one-on-one 20-25-minute interviews with a faculty member and/or clinical partner. Prior to the interview, the application is thoroughly reviewed by our Admissions Committee. The interviews themselves are blinded, so the interviewer will know nothing about the applicant other than first and last name. This gives the interviewer the opportunity to evaluate factors such as communication skills, critical thinking, and thoughtful answers without bias from the application.
Is the PTCAS form required for references?
- Yes, the PTCAS form must be completed by all references and submitted by the individual providing the reference through PTCAS.
- We require two letters of recommendation.
- Please review our reference requirements and note that we do NOT accept letters from family, friends, or clergy.
When is a World Evaluation Services (WES) Transcript evaluation required?
- International students or any U.S. citizen who has attended a university or received a degree at a college or university in another country must provide a WES ICAP transcript evaluation including the line-by-line course evaluation, cumulative GPA, and the U.S. equivalent degree (if applicable).
Are the prerequisites different for the two pathways?
- No, prerequisites are the same for either pathway. See Course Prerequisite section of the website.
Is it possible to complete prerequisite courses at the campus?
- Unfortunately, the Anschutz Medical Campus offers only graduate level, health professional courses; however, the University of Colorado Denver Downtown campus offers the prerequisite courses if you are in the Denver area. As does the UCCS campus in Colorado Springs. We accept prerequisite courses from any institution that is regionally accredited.
Can prerequisite courses be taken at a community college?
- Yes. Courses taken online or through a community college are acceptable, as long as the institution is regionally accredited.
If I retake a course is only the highest grade considered?
- No. All course attempts are included in PTCAS GPA calculations. Grade forgiveness and repeat/delete policies are not applicable.
Do both programs use a holistic review?
- Yes. In addition to academic metrics, the CU PT Program looks closely at an applicant’s experiences, personal attributes, and characteristics. We are committed to selecting students who demonstrate dedication to their learning, commitment to the profession, involvement within their community through work or service, leadership potential, effective interpersonal skills and strong self-reflection. Applicants are asked to indicate their preference for either in-person or virtual learning based on their experience, interest and success.
Do you offer rolling or early admission?
- No, all admission decisions are made at the same time. Please refer to our application timelinefor further details.
What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission?
- The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). GPA is one of several important factors in admissions decisions and it is important to consider that the average cumulative GPA of admitted applicants is above 3.6. PTCAS combines all grades using transcripts from all institutions to calculate GPAs. PTCAS Grade Calculator.
Applicants with a minimum GPA between 2.7 and 3.0 may still be considered for admission only when there is evidence of a significant positive trend in grades over time (evidenced by a last 60-credit GPA of greater than or equal to 3.5) AND strong grades in courses, such as anatomy, physiology, and upper-division sciences, biomechanics, exercise physiology, etc.
We understand that a variety of factors may contribute to low academic performance in courses. We certainly consider your GPA, but we will also consider the rigor of coursework, trend of grades and more.
Applicants are encouraged to respond to the following question in the PTCAS application to provide context related to periods of lower academic performance: 'Does my academic record accurately portray my capabilities?' For applicants who are concerned that they may not meet our minimum GPA requirements, we recommend using the PTCAS GPA calculator to calculate cumulative and last 60-credit hour GPAs. It may also be useful for students to calculate how many courses would be needed with strong grades to boost their GPA.
Is the GRE required?
- No, the GRE is NOT required for admission.
I am currently completing another DPT program and am interested in transferring to the CU PT Program. Will you accept any transfer credits from my current DPT program?
- No. The CU PT Program is unable to accept transfer credits from other DPT programs due to lack of consistency across plans of study.
I have completed my bachelor's degree but did not perform up to my potential during this time. Do you provide any exceptions to the minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement for applicants who have unique circumstances?
- Please contact the CU Office of Admissions at PT.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu and provide an outline of your circumstances and a copy of your transcripts for review.
I am an international student and require an F1 visa to study in the United States. Would I be eligible to apply for your residential and hybrid pathways? If so, what is required of international students as part of the admissions process?
| Residential Pathway at the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
| Due to F1 visa regulations and the complex logistical structure of the hybrid program, international students are not eligible to apply for this pathway. However, international students who have other immigration statuses that allow enrollment in higher education programs, and are able to travel to Colorado Springs for 7-14 days of intensive lab immersion within each semester, would be eligible for the hybrid pathway. |
Is clinical education the same in both the traditional and hybrid pathways?
- Yes, both pathways will have the same number of weeks and general timing of clinical education experiences. The Program affiliates with more than 500 clinical sites located throughout Colorado and across the United States.
- Student choice for clinical placements increases as they progress from year 1 to year 3.
- The clinical education team ensures that Program requirements for clinical education are met through the placement process for each clinical education experience.
- Students in the hybrid pathway may have the chance to complete some full-time clinical experiences near the student’s residence.
Are there international sites available for clinical education experiences?
- No. Although the Program appreciates the value of international experiences, international clinical education sites may not have the same physical therapy and licensing standards as those in the United States and cannot always meet the Program’s specific objectives for each clinical education experience. Therefore, all clinical experiences must be completed in the United States. Students may have other options for international experiences as an elective, as an optional activity through campus organizations, or after completion of their DPT degree.
Is the amount of lab and didactic time the same in both educational pathways?
- Yes, the amount of lab and didactic contact hours will be the same with the same content covered, however, the format for delivery of the content will vary by pathway.
What is the format for the residential and hybrid pathways?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
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Will I be working with a human cadaver (donor) in Anatomy classes?
- Yes, our students take a 5-credit Clinical Anatomy I course in the first summer semester and a 3-credit Clinical Anatomy II course in the second summer semester. Both courses include cadaver dissection.
Is there an opportunity for interprofessional interaction?
| Residential Pathway on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
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Are the policies/procedures the same?
- Yes. Policies and Procedures Related to the Rights, Responsibilities, Safety, Privacy, and Dignity of Program Students are consistent across the pathways.
Are there full-time and part-time options for either pathway?
- No. The only option is the full-time, 2.5-year program. While there might be more flexibility within the Hybrid Pathway, there will still be “live” class experiences throughout the 8am-5pm week.
Do students have the opportunity to participate in research?
- Yes. Students can participate in research. Interested students are encouraged to reach out to faculty to explore potential opportunities. This could be as little as a few hours a month doing data entry or participant recruitment, to being employed in a work-study position helping write manuscripts and present data at conferences.
Are DACA students eligible to apply?
- Yes.
If I do not have verification of lawful presence in the US, am I able to obtain a PT license?
- Yes. Physical Therapist licensure in Colorado may be obtained without verification of lawful presence.
What are the tuition and fees?
Tuition rates are equal for both the hybrid and residential pathways. For more information about tuition costs, please visit our Tuition and Fees webpage.
Can I apply for in-state residency, and thus, in-state tuition?
- Students who meet outlined requirements as determined by the Office of the Registrar are able to apply for residency after living in Colorado for 1 year.
- Residency status is initially determined by the information students provide on the Initial Residency Verification Form once fully admitted into the program.
- If students are able to establish residency, then they would pay in-state tuition for the second year and third half-year of the Program.
Are there scholarship opportunities available?
Yes. The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program provides a variety of scholarships to both prospective and current students to make physical therapy education more financially feasible. The efforts of the Physical Therapy Scholarship and Endowment Board and the generosity of our donors allow us to provide scholarships in a variety of areas including diversity, rural, merit, and dance performance. The Scholarship and Awards Committee oversees the scholarship application and award processes.
Scholarship applications become available for prospective students when they are invited to an interview. Should they be selected for a scholarship, they would find out around the time they are accepted into the program.
Current student scholarships become available once students are matriculated, typically before the end of the first year if not prior.
What factors may make one pathway more affordable than the other?
While the tuition for the Residential Pathway and Hybrid Pathway may be the same, many applicants will have some decisions to make regarding their cost of education and cost of living. Those attending the Residential Pathway must live in the Denver Metro area to attend class on campus daily. On the other hand, for the Hybrid Pathway, we encourage students to live in their home communities (and attend lab intensives offered at UCCS 1-2 times per semester). The total cost of attending CU Physical Therapy may differ dramatically for each individual. This document includes several examples.
What housing options are available?
| Residential Pathway on the Anschutz Medical Campus | Hybrid Pathway with periodic lab immersions on the UCCS Campus |
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Are students able to work?
- Due to the academic rigor of the Physical Therapy Program, it is strongly recommended that you secure enough financial aid to support yourself through school. This is particularly important during the first year. The time commitment for a full-time DPT program is approximately 40 to 60 hours per week. Therefore, the decision to hold a job while pursuing the DPT should be carefully considered. However, opportunities may exist for part-time work-study jobs or remote work positions that may complement your studies and not impede your academic obligations.
What is your COVID vaccination policy?
- The CU Anschutz COVID-19 Vaccination Policy no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination for faculty, staff, students, badged affiliates, persons of interest (POIs), visitors, or volunteers in non-clinical settings, as of July 1, 2023, with some important exceptions. Students involved in clinical rotations must comply with the vaccine requirements and protocols of those sites. Please visit this link for further information.
- Staying up to date on vaccines and boosters is strongly encouraged.
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