Doctor of Physical Therapy

About the DPT Program
Why Choose the UML DPT Program
Admission Requirements
Program Contact Information

About the DPT Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares individuals for entry into the profession of physical therapy. Physical therapists diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities throughout the continuum of care. They practice autonomously in a variety of settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, long-term care facilities and nursing homes, community and home health agencies, and corporate sites. Graduates of the physical therapy program are also prepared to provide prevention and wellness services, to conduct basic and clinical research, and to assume a leadership role in health care.

The fully accredited program requires a baccalaureate degree for admission and a three-year full-time commitment, including part of each summer. The curriculum includes 98 credits of coursework and 35 weeks of clinical education experience. It provides a comprehensive foundation in the art and science of physical therapy. Methods of instruction include classroom lecture and discussion, small group/problem-based learning, and skill development during laboratory and clinical experiences. Emphasis is placed on the development of clinical decision-making and critical inquiry skills across the curriculum, culminating in the completion of a Final Research Project (done in small groups) that meets peer review standards for presentation and/or publication.

The clinical education program consists of four extended clinical education experiences (each eight weeks in length) and two shorter experiences (one and two weeks in length) for a total of 35 weeks. Students experience a variety of practice settings, including acute, rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedic settings as well as other more specialized settings, e.g. pediatric, geriatric, sports medicine, home care.

More information on the program mission, philosophy and objectives.

1. Download the DPT Curriculum (pdf)

2. View course descriptions in the Online Academic Catalog

Why Choose the UML DPT Program

• Highly qualified and caring faculty
• Dedicated students
• Affordable state school tuition
• Graduates are competent, clinically sought after entry-level practitioners
• Preparation to be a future leader in a dynamic profession
• High pass rate of graduates on the National Physical Therapy Examination

  • Outcomes are based on a 3-year average and include 2004, 2005, and 2006 data.

    • 84% of admitted students graduate from the program.

    • 98% of UML candidates took the NPTE (licensure exam) and passed. 

    • 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed within six months.

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Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
3. An undergraduate grade point average in science courses of 3.0 or better.
4. Graduate Record Examination - minimum 870 combined
5. Documented personal experience in a physical therapy setting – 35 hours minimum. Form: Certification of Hours (pdf)
6. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a physical therapist.
7. Course prerequisites include:

• Anatomy and Physiology with labs – 2 semesters
• General Chemistry with labs – 2 semesters
• Physics with labs – 2 semesters
• Kinesiology,  lab recommeded
• Exercise Physiology  lab recommended
• Psychology
• Statistics

All applicants should download the Prerequisite Course Checklist (pdf) and submit a completed copy with their graduate school application packet.

The DPT class consists of both external and internal (Exercise Physiology graduates from UMass Lowell) graduates.  Highly qualified juniors in the Exercise Physiology program are accepted into the DPT program under expedited or early admission, pending successful completion of their baccalaureate requirements.

Additional Program Requirements

1. Proof of yearly physical examination by a physician indicating satisfactory general health status and proof of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B is required prior to clinical education experiences.
2.  A CORI check (Criminal Offender Record Information) prior to clinical education experiences is required.
3. Costs related to clinical education experiences including transportation, housing, meals and tuition/fees are assumed by the student.  Students should expect and plan for out-of-state clinical placements.
4. Professional behavior (defined as Generic Abilities) is required during all academic and clinical education experiences.

No more than two (2) prerequisite courses may be missing at the time of application.

Application deadline is January 15.

Meeting the entry-level requirements for admission does not guarantee a seat in the program. Admission is on a competitive basis, and up to 60% of the seats are offered to UMass Lowell Exercise Physiology students.

Students may be asked to provide documentation of  course content being proposed to meet admission criteria.

For graduates of foreign schools: TOEFL score of > or = 560 written format; > or = 220 computer format.

• Transcripts must be evaluated by: Center for Educational Documentation (617) 522-4738
  

Faculty support the position to recruit and retain students who by reasons of ethnic, cultural or economic background are likely to serve critical need areas.

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Program Contact Information

For further information regarding the program of study and admission requirements, contact:

Dr. Keith W. Hallbourg, Graduate Coordinator
Department of Physical Therapy
University of Massachusetts Lowell
3 Solomont Way, Suite 5
Lowell MA 01854
Tel: (978) 934-4402
Fax: (978) 934-3006

Email: keith_hallbourg@uml.edu

Catalog and application materials are available from Graduate Admissions.