Application Information

Observation Hours:

Required observation hours: 45 hours total
Observation must be completed with a licensed physical therapist in the United States

• Inpatient: minimum of 15 hours required (hospital, rehabilitation facility or skilled-nursing facility)
• Outpatient: minimum of 15 hours required (PT clinic, outpatient hospital clinic, sports medicine)
• Additional setting: minimum of 15 hours required (nursing facility, school, home health or specialty care PT clinic)

References:

Obtain three (3) references, including one (1) from each of the following:

• Licensed physical therapist whom the applicant has observed working with patients in a PT setting AND who holds a current U.S. PT license
• Science professor or course instructor from the student's major, from a basic science course, or from a course that meets an upper-division science prerequisite
• Additional professor, health professional or recent employer or supervisor

Health Care Professional must be licensed as: MD, DO, RN (APN, MSN, BSN, DNP), PA-C, PT (BS, MS, MPT, DPT), or OT (BS, MS, MOT, DOT). The reference from a Professor may be from the major, from a basic science course, or from a course that meets one of our upper-division science prerequisite courses. Reference from a Professor can be completed by an Instructor, Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.

We do NOT accept references from:

PTAs, OTAs, guest lecturers, TAs, GAs, Coaches, clergy, co-workers, family or friends.

Coursework Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation, although an application may be submitted prior to completing all prerequisite coursework. Only one (1) prerequisite science course may be in progress in the spring semester prior to matriculation. Courses completed with a C- or below are not acceptable. It is recommended that all science and math courses be completed within the last five (5) years. Anatomy, physiology and at least one upper-division science must have been completed within the last ten (10) years, and preferably within the last five (5) years. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credit is accepted only if a transcript reflects the credit earned.

Options to fulfill Anatomy and Physiology:

 Option 1 of 2 Anatomy and Physiology

• Human or Mammalian Anatomy with lab (upper-division preferred) - 4 semester hours
• Human or Mammalian Physiology with lab (upper-division preferred) - 4 semester hours
  
  Option 2 of 2 Anatomy and Physiology
  

• Combined Human or Mammalian Anatomy and Physiology with labs (upper-division preferred) - 8 semester hours

Options to fulfill Upper-Division Science Course Prerequisite:

 Option 1 of 2 Upper-Division Science (must be completed through  a four-year institution) 

• Upper-Division science course in the biology, chemistry or physics departments (300/3000+ level courses) - 3 semester hours 
  
  Option 2 of 2 Upper-Division Science (must be completed through a four-year institution)

• Upper-Division science course in a movement science department (only 300/3000+ level exercise physiology, science-based kinesiology, or biomechanics course are accepted) - 3 semester hours 
  

Additional Course Prerequisites:

• Lab-based Chemistry - (survey or introduction to chemistry courses for non-science majors are NOT accepted) - 8 semester hours
• Lab-based Physics - (algebra or calculus-based; survey or introduction to physics courses for non-science majors are NOT accepted) - 8 semester hours 
• Math - (trigonometry or calculus preferred) - 3 semester hours
• 2 Psychology courses - (abnormal and developmental psychology preferred) - 6 semester hours total
• Statistics - 3 semester hours
• Writing or English Composition - 3 semester hours
  

Applicants must apply online using the Physical Therapists Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application at www.ptcas.org. See the PTCAS website for specific application fees, date and instructions​.

Qualified applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Please see the PTCAS website to learn how to calculate each of these three cumulative GPAs at http://www.ptcas.org/GPA.

Our application process includes a holistic review that looks closely at all components of an application. Reviewers attend closely to strengths that are identified in several application areas reflected by accurate application documentation and thoughtful essays. 

In addition to any PTCAS fees outlined below, all applicants must also pay a one-time $100 supplemental fee at https://isis-cs.prod.cu.edu/psc/csprod/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/CU_SELFSRV_PUB.CU_APPFEE_PAYMENT.GBL?INSTITUTION=CUDEN. Applications will not be reviewed if the supplemental fee is not received.

PTCAS Initial Program Designation fee: $155 
Each Additional Program PTCAS fee: $60

Please be aware that the PTCAS verification process is typically 4-6 weeks. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm with PTCAS that all application materials have been received in order for verification to occur. 

While the deadline to electronically submit an application is in early-October, it is highly advised to submit early enough to have PTCAS verification completed by the November 8 date. Applications not verified by PTCAS by November 8 will NOT be reviewed.

CASPer Assessment

All applicants are REQUIRED to participate in CASPer on one of ten available test dates. The final date for applicants to our program is October 13, 2020.  CASPer is a selection tool used by academic programs to help assess applicants for non-academic attributes or people skills. Registration, test dates and fee information are available at the following link: https://account.takecasper.com/signup.

Other program requirements upon acceptance

Admissions Deposit

Students admitted into the program must submit a $1,000 confirmation deposit to hold their place in the class upon receiving an offer of admission. This deposit is applied to tuition and fees for the first semester of attendance.

Technical Standards

All students must meet the technical standards of the DPT Program. Every applicant offered admission must sign a document indicating they are able to meet the technical standards in order to be admitted.

Completion of all outstanding prerequisite coursework

Only 1 science prerequisite may be in progress in the Spring semester prior to matriculation. All prerequisite coursework must be satisfactorily completed prior to matriculation.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from every higher education institution ever attended must be sent to the PT Program. This includes all spring 2019 course grades. Final transcript(s) showing a conferred  degree must be on file prior to matriculation. For incoming students finishing their undergraduate degrees, transcript with posted degree must be received by June 15, 2019.

Financial Aid Application

If you intend to apply for financial aid, review the Steps for Applying. Also ensure you use school code 004508 on your FAFSA.

Current CPR certification - Health Professionals course

We require the BLS for Healthcare Providers. Go to the American Heart Association to find a course near you. WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT COURSES TAKEN THROUGH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. 

Required Immunizations

All students in the School of Medicine must comply with required immunizations and tests. All students must be in compliance with updated vaccines and tests prior to matriculation. All PT students are tracked throughout the Program to make certain they stay in compliance, both regarding School of Medicine and the various clinical setting requirements. Click here for the university policy.

Completed Background Check

All incoming students must give permission for a background check. The contact is made through PTCAS by a company called Certiphi when PTCAS is notified of your accepted offer by the Program.

If you are planning on applying to the CU PT program and have previously been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, please contact Dr. Mary Jane Rapport, Director of PT Admissions, either by e-mail or at 303-724-9148​.

Completed Residency Form

Completion of a Verification of Colorado Residency form is required.
All students, even non-residents, must fill out all or part of this form. Information about how to establish Colorado residency​. Please contact CUAnschutzTCO.Registrar@ucdenver.edu with any questions regarding residency. 

Completed Military Service Form (online) if applicable

Male students born after December 31, 1959 must certify that they have registered with Selective Service (or are exempt from Selective Service registration) in order to register at any state-supported institution of higher education. Please go to www.sss.gov and make sure you have complied with this law prior to your arrival on campus.