Application Information

2021-2022 Application Cycle

Observation Hours:

• 45 hours of direct observation of a licensed physical therapist is recommended. The number of completed observation hours will not influence admissions decisions. We suggest that applicants try to observe physical therapists in a variety of settings to understand the scope of physical therapy and the profession. 
• 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 of physical therapy prior to this investment to ensure this career is the right fit. Historically, the best way to gain this knowledge is through direct observation of physical therapy in a variety of clinical practice settings. While this is still an excellent way to become informed about the profession, the CU PT admissions team acknowledges this is not the only way to gain knowledge of the profession. It is up to each applicant to seek out knowledge about the profession prior to applying to the CU PT program. Further, it is incumbent upon each applicant to demonstrate their acquired knowledge of the profession within their application materials through essay responses, work & volunteer experiences, and possibly recorded shadowing experiences. Successful applicants will clearly demonstrate both a depth and breadth of knowledge about the profession of Physical Therapy. 

References:

The letters of reference will be used primarily for identifying applicants who are not recommended based on the overall recommendation and low marks on the evaluation form.

• We require 2-3 letters from people who know the applicant well, with the exception of family, friends, and clergy.
• We recommend that one letter is from a licensed physical therapist. 
  

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.

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 Course Prerequisite:

During the 2021-2022 Application Cycle (Summer 2022 entry), 3 semester hours of upper-division science will be required (details below). For the next cycle, the 2022-2023 Application Cycle (Summer 2023 entry), the upper-division science course prerequisite will no longer be required. See below for other prerequisite changes for the 2022-2023 Application Cycle. 

 Option 1 of 4 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 4 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

• Option 3 of 4 Upper-Division Science (must be completed through a four-year institution)

• Upper-Division science course in an engineering department (300/3000+ level courses) - 3 semester hours

Option 4 of 4 Upper-Division Science (must be completed through a four-year institution)

• Upper-division human anatomy and human physiology courses WILL be counted towards the upper-division science requirement WHEN the applicant has also completed lower-division (100/1000-200/2000 level) human anatomy and human physiology courses (8 semester hours total with labs). If the applicant has only completed upper-division human anatomy and human physiology courses (8 semester hours total with labs), an additional 3-semester hour upper-division science course (300/3000+ level in the biology, chemistry and physics departments OR a 300/3000+ level exercise physiology, biomechanics, or kinesiology course) will be required.

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

Additional Prerequisite

• Exercise Physiology (lower-division OR upper-division are acceptable) - 3 or 4 semester hours

Other Prerequisite Updates

• Upper-division science (3 semester hours) will no longer be a required course prerequisite during the 2022-2023 Application Cycle.

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 1 each year, it is highly advised to submit early enough to have PTCAS verification completed by Friday, November 12, 2020. Applications not verified by PTCAS by Friday, November 12, 2021 will NOT be reviewed. 

Supplemental Fee

The supplemental fee is a one-time, non-refundable, fee payable to the University of Colorado.  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

Other Requirements

Altus Suite

All applicants are REQUIRED to complete and pay for the Altus Suite, including the CASPer assessment and the Snapshot video response, on one of several available test dates. The final date for University of Colorado PT Program applicants to take the CASPer test through Altus Suite is October 28, 2021.  Registration, test dates, and fee information are available at the following link: https://takealtus.com/. It is prudent to schedule a date through the Altus Suite as soon as you are able. 

Altus Suite consists of a two-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing Altus Suite, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection.   

We encourage applicants to provide details of all experiences within the PTCAS application form. No additional materials, such as a resume, are required beyond the completed application through PTCAS, except the Altus Suite requirement described above. 

About Casper

The Casper test comprises 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. The test typically takes between 75090 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at TakeAltus.com and ensure you have a quiet environment in which to take the test. We strongly urge you to take advantage of the 12-section practice test, which will not only immerse you in the test environment but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test. 

Casper test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test will be expected to retake it. For a more detailed look a the Casper test, please see this video.

About Snapshot

Snapshot is a one-way interview tool that takes 15 minutes to complete. It is used to help programs get to know their applicants better by assessing verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as motivation for the profession. Snapshot includes two mandatory practice questions to allow applicants to get familiar with the format and to test their audio and video capabilities. After they complete the practice portion, they will move on to record responses to three standardized interview-style questions. Applicants have two minutes to record each response. They will have time to read and consider each question during a 30-second reflection period before they begin recording. All recorded responses will be submitted to the program for review. 

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 2021 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, 2021.

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 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. Mary Jane Rapport, Director of PT Admissions, either by e-mail or at 303-724-9148 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

In June 2021, 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.