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 (psychology is NOT considered a science)
• 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.

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.

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 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 
• 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​.

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, non-refundable $100 supplemental fee at https://isis-cs.prod.cu.edu/psc/csprod/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/CU_SELFSRV_PUB.CU_APPFEE_PAYMENT.GBL?INSTITUTION=CUDEN. Please use this form to pay online via credit card or checking account (ACH) your non-refundable application fee, supplemental application fee or tuition deposit for an academic program. Each of these fees is non-refundable.

Applications will not be reviewed if the supplemental fee is not received. Please note that the PT Program will only waive the $100 supplemental application fee if PTCAS has also approved a fee waiver request. Documentation of the approved fee waiver must be sent to PT.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu.

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 November 9, 2020. Applications not verified by PTCAS by November 9, 2020 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. IMPORTANT: When registering for CASPer, be sure that your first and last name match the name provided in the PTCAS application.  If you are in the process of changing your name, it is highly recommended that you use the same name as the name in your application for consistency. 

Interviews

All components will be online this year. There will be many opportunities to learn about our program and scheduled interviews for us to learn about you! 

• Get to Know Our Program: Links to several 15-20-minute recorded modules will be included in the invitation to interview, which will be sent via email. These modules will provide information regarding several important aspects of the PT Program, including:
  • Curriculum Overview 
  • Clinical Education Overview 
  • Research Opportunities 
  • Financial Aid Office 
  • Student Presentations 
• Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 12:30-1:00 PM MST (conducted via Zoom): Welcome Session with the Program Director, Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA
• Wednesday, December 16, OR Thursday, December 17, 2020:  Interviews will occur via Zoom
  • Applicants will schedule two, one-on-one, 20-25-minute interviews with a faculty member and/or clinical partner. 
• Friday, December 18, 2020, 12:00-12:30 PM MST (conducted via Zoom): Follow-Up Q&A with Faculty
• Friday, December 18, 2020, 12:30-12:45 PM MST (conducted via Zoom): Next Steps Q&A with the CU PT Admissions Team
• Friday, December 18, 2020, 4-5:30 PM MST (conducted via Zoom): Meet and Greet with Current Students
  

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.