Application Information

2022-2023 Application Cycle

Observation Hours:

• Observation hours are not required.
  
  
• Becoming a physical therapist is a significant investment of both time and money and it is essential that applicants have broad knowledge about the profession prior to entering a DPT program to ensure being a physical therapist is the right career choice for them. There are many ways to learn about the profession including observing a licensed physical therapist in a variety of settings, conducting informational interviews, referencing the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website, listening to podcasts, observing other healthcare providers, and more.

References:

We require 2 letters from people who know the applicant well, with the exception of family, friends, and clergy. The most common references we receive are from professors, supervisors, and licensed physical therapists. Applications may not be verified by PTCAS until all materials are received, including letters of recommendation, thus it is in your best interest to have your references submit as early to the Oct 3rd deadline as possible.

Coursework Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation, although an application may be submitted prior to completing all prerequisite coursework. Note that 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 five (5) years of entering our program. Anatomy, Physiology and at least one upper-division science (or Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics) must be completed within ten (10) years of entering the program, 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 (applicants are encouraged to contact PT.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu if they are planning to use AP/IB credit to fulfill a prerequisite but the specific credit does not appear on their college transcript).

All prerequisite courses in math and science must be completed at an institution of higher education accredited regionally. Courses in English and Psychology from nationally-accredited educational institutions may be considered upon individual review.

Note: Pass/fail grades received in courses taken in spring, summer, or fall 2020 are accepted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

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, Exercise Physiology or Biomechanics:

• Option 1: Any upper-division science (300/3000 level or higher) - 3 or 4 semester hours
• Option 2: Exercise Physiology (lower-division OR upper-division are acceptable; upper-division is strongly recommended) - 3 or 4 semester hours
• Option 3: Biomechanics (lower-division OR upper-division are acceptable; upper-division is strongly recommended)- 3 or 4 semester hours

While any upper division science in the biology, chemistry, physics or engineering departments will meet the upper division requirement, please note that field related content will provide better preparation. Examples include but are not limited to: cell biology, neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, genetics, microbiology, etc. Courses such as ecology, plant physiology, etc are not field related.

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 
• 2 Psychology courses - (abnormal and developmental psychology preferred) - 6 semester hours total
• Statistics - 3 semester hours
• Writing or English Composition (any writing-intensive course) - 3 semester hours

2022-2023 Application Cycle

Prerequisite Change

Any upper-division science (300/3000 level or higher) OR Exercise Physiology OR Biomechanics (lower-division OR upper-division are acceptable; upper-division is strongly recommended) - 3 or 4 semester hours

Application Deadline and Verification

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 October 3, 2022, PTCAS must verify an application for it to be sent to a DPT program for admissions review. For the University of Colorado to review an application, PTCAS verification must be complete by November 4th, 2022. Applications not verified by PTCAS by this deadline will NOT be reviewed. 

Supplemental Fee

The supplemental fee is a one-time, non-refundable, fee payable to the University of Colorado that must be paid by the PTCAS application deadline of October 3rd. Payment can be made directly at the following link: https://isis-cs.prod.cu.edu/psc/csprod/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/CU_SELFSRV_PUB.CU_APPFEE_PAYMENT.GBL?INSTITUTION=CUDEN.  This fee is due at the time the application is submitted to PTCAS (deadline is 10/1/2021). The Supplemental fee MUST be paid in order for your application to be reviewed and considered by our PT Program's Admissions Committee.  The supplemental application fee supports a thorough review of each application, including Altus Suite content and a Holistic Review, by a team dedicated to learning as much as possible about each applicant. If the applicant received a fee waiver from PTCAS, they are also eligible for a fee waiver from the University of Colorado. Documentation of the approved fee waiver must be sent to PT.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu.

Other Fees

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

Interviews

Class of 2025 Interviews will be held January 2023 (exact dates and location TBD). Applicants will complete two, one-on-on 20-25-minute interviews with a faculty member and/or clinical partner.

Invitations to interview will likely be sent in mid-December 2022.

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 and is non-refundable. Please use this form to pay online via credit card or checking account (ACH) your non-refundable tuition deposit for an academic program. These fees are non-refundable. 

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 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 a posted degree must be received by June 15th of the summer in which a student is starting the PT Program.

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.

The University of Colorado’s policies require full  vaccination against COVID-19 for students, faculty and staff and the University of Colorado as a whole requires full vaccination against COVID-19 on all four CU campuses. This requirement would need to be met at least 4 weeks prior to Orientation, at the start of the PT Program. (Read more about the CU requirement, and find FAQs, here.) There are NO religious exemptions available to students, but students may seek a medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which will be reviewed at the campus level and will be reviewed according to  a strict review process for medical conditions that pose absolute contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination as outlined in the CU policy: (https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider284/default-document-library/3000-facilities-management/3012---covid-19-vaccination-requirement-and-compliance.pdf?sfvrsn=3e48cbba) Footnote 2 of this policy states “Currently, the only absolute contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination are: (i) severe immediate allergic reaction to previous dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine, (ii) immediate reaction of any severity to a previous dose or known (diagnosed) allergy to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine.”  In the event a student receives an approved medical exemption, it should be noted that the exemption could impact (i) the program’s ability to place such a student in certain clinical sites, (ii) the student’s ability to engage in educational activities within close proximity of others (common in DPT lab skills courses), and (iii) the student’s overall progression in the educational curriculum with the cohort.

Completed Background Check

All incoming students must give permission for a background check and students are responsible for any associated costs. The contact is made through PTCAS by an external vendor called Certiphi when PTCAS is notified of your accepted offer by the Program. The student will receive an email from Certiphi with the address, StudentEdition@ceriphi.com, that includes a verification code.

If you are planning on applying to the CU PT program and have previously been convicted of a misdemeanor related to any type of assault or have been convicted of any type of felony, please contact Dr. Lara Canham, Chair of PT Admissions, at Lara.Canham@cuanschutz.edu to discuss your situation confidentially.

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.

Completed Drug Screening

The program will pay for an initial 10-panel drug screening. All incoming students must take and pass a 10-panel drug screening. The screening will occur during the first month of summer semester and costs for this initial screening will be covered by the Program. The student will be responsible for the cost of any additional screenings required by program or clinical sites.