Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at UMass Lowell prepares individuals for entry into the profession of physical therapy. The fully accredited program requires a baccalaureate degree for admission and a three-year full-time commitment, including part of each summer.

The curriculum 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.

The clinical education program consists of three extended clinical education experiences one (10-week and two 12-week) for a total of 34 weeks. Students experience a variety of practice settings and patient populations in preparation for general practice.

Read the UMass Lowell General Regulations for Graduate Students.

Note: The DPT Program at UMass Lowell plans to participate in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS, beginning with the 2024 admissions cycle. Applicants applying to the DPT Program for the November 1st, 2024 deadline will apply online using the PTCAS application beginning in July 2024. To learn more about PTCAS, visit www.apta.org/cas/ptcas.

The faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy & Kinesiology believe that individuals have intrinsic worth and a right to optimal health and function. Function is defined as those activities identified by an individual as essential to support physical, social, and psychological well-being and to create a personal sense of meaningful living. 

Physical therapists provide services to patients/clients with alterations in body structure and function, activity and participation restrictions or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes. Physical therapists utilize prevention and wellness strategies in individuals at risk for developing a reduction in physical function. 

The physical therapist is professionally educated in a program that synthesizes graduate study with undergraduate knowledge, and experiential learning. The graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is prepared to function as an ethical and competent practitioner who management include examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes. The graduate is prepared to interact and practice in collaboration with a variety of health professionals, provide prevention and wellness services, consult, educate, and engage in critical inquiry. Finally, the graduate is prepared to direct and supervise physical therapy services, including support personnel. Graduate are expected to assume a leadership role in health care and to practice autonomously and cooperatively in a variety of practice settings such as: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, schools, sports medicine clinics, community health and private practices, and industrial or workplace settings. 

Students are active participants in the education process. The relationship between students and faculty is one in which there is mutual respect, understanding, and interchange of ideas. As experienced professionals, the faculty serve as a resource, mentor and role-model for the developing professional. The faculty are facilitators of the learning process. Students are expected to demonstrate commitment to learning as the basis for continued personal and professional growth, effective interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and appropriate professional conduct. Effective use of time and resources, feedback, and stress management strategies are also important components of the behaviors of the successful student.

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (maximum 2 pages).
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required. We do not accept opened, photocopied, emailed PDFs or faxed official transcripts.
  • Resume: All programs require a resume except for the following: Doctor of Physical Therapy and all Master of Public Health programs
  • Test Scores: UMass Lowell’s school code is 3911. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are only required for the following programs:
    • Public Health (Doctor of Science)
    • Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add supporting documents, please log in to your application and select "Program Materials."

International Applicants

International transcripts must indicate completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree (equivalent of an American bachelor's degree) before an application will be processed. The Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credentials evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee from:

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+

Minimum Admission Requirements

  1. Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited university of college within past 10 years..
  2. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.000 or greater.
  3. Prerequisite Science GPA of 3.000 or greater.
  4. Graduate Record Examination, within the last 5 years. (GRE Code = 3911)
  5. Documented personal experience in a physical therapy setting (volunteer or paid). Minimum 35 hours
  6. Statement of Purpose (essay)
  7. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation, one (1) of which must be submitted by a licensed physical therapist.
  8. Computer literacy in word, excel, power point, etc., is expected.
  9. Required prerequisites coursework:
    • General
      • Psychology
      • Statistics
    • Science
      • Anatomy and Physiology with labs, 2 semesters *
      • Chemistry with labs, 2 semesters *
      • Physics with labs, 2 semesters *
      • Exercise Physiology (upper-level [3000+] course)
      • Kinesiology / Biomechanics (upper-level [3000+] course)

* Must be taken in a traditional (on-campus/classroom) setting.

Important Notes:

  • The Completed Application Deadline is November 1st for admission into the next class beginning matriculation the following May. All documents is support of the application are due at the deadline, e.g. letters of recommendation, official transcripts, official GRE scores, etc.
  • No more then two (2) pre-requisite courses may be missing at the time of our application deadline to remain eligible for full consideration. (Courses which are "in-Progress" at the time of the application deadline are considered missing).
  • All International Applicants:
  • All Applicants:
    • Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
    • Students may be asked to provide documentation of equivalent course content proposed to meet admission criteria.
    • Any/All applications deemed incomplete at the application deadline will be ineligible for full department review.
    • The UMass Lowell DPT program does not offer deferred acceptance. All accepted students must begin matriculation the immediately subsequent summer term
    • The Faculty supports the position to recruit and retain students who by reason of ethnic, cultural, or socioeconomic background are more likely to serve areas of critical need.

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.

The DPT program is 95 credits.
First Summer Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total7
DPTH.6010Clinical Anatomy3
DPTH.6030Clinical Anatomy Lab1
DPTH.6090Pathology3
Fall Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total14
DPTH.6080Musculoskeletal PT I Lecture3
DPTH.6100Musculoskeletal PT I Lab1
DPTH.6050PT Interventions I Lecture3 
DPTH.6070PT Interventions I Lab1
DPTH.6390Med/Surg. Orthopedics3
DPTH.6110Professional Issues & Clinical Practice3
Spring Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total16
DPTH.6020Neuroscience: Anatomy3
DPTH.6040Neuroscience: Physiology/ Neuro3
DPTH.6060Neuroscience Lab1
DPTH.6210Musculoskeletal PT II Lecture3
DPTH.6230Musculoskeletal PT II Lab1
DPTH.6150Clinical Ed. Seminar I1
DPTH.6120Cardiopulmonary PT Lecture3
DPTH.6140Cardiopulmonary PT Lab1
Second Summer Required Course
Course #Course NameCredits
Total3
DPTH.6500Clinical Ed. Experience I3 (10 weeks)
Fall Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total15
DPTH.6170Neurological PT I Lecture3
DPTH.6190Neurological PT I Lab1
DPTH.6250PT Interventions II Lecture3 
DPTH.6270PT Interventions lab1
DPTH.6160Research Methods3
DPTH.6310Pediatric PT Lecture3
DPTH.6330Pediatric PT Lab1
Spring Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total16
DPTH.6200Neurological PT II Lecture3
DPTH.6220Neurological PT II Lab1
DPTH.6450PT Interventions III Lecture3 
DPTH.6470PT Interventions III Lab1
DPTH.6350Clinical Ed. Seminar II1
DPTH.6430Evidence Directed Care3
DPTH.6280Musculoskeletal PT III Lecture3
DPTH.6300Musculoskeletal PT III Lab1
Third Summer Required Course
Course #Course NameCredits
Total3
DPTH.6520Clinical Ed. Experience II3 (12 weeks)
Fall Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total12
DPTH.6370Integrated Clinical Practice3
DPTH.6260Geriatric PT3
DPTH.6480Service Learning in PT3 
DPTH.6420Health Policy and Admin.3

Spring Required Courses
Course #Course NameCredits
Total9
DPTH.6460Complex Cases3
DPTH.6400Professional Prep in PT3
DPTH.6530Clinical Ed. Experience III3 (12 weeks)

Total Credits = 95

Last updated: 1/26/2019

Program Goals

  1. Prepare entry-level physical therapy clinicians in a manner consistent with contemporary professional norms. Graduates practice as competent, autonomous, collaborative, and doctoral-prepared providers who deliver services along the continuum of care from prevention to the remediation of impairments, activity, and participation restrictions in all populations.
  2. Produce, disseminate, and incorporate scholarship that will advance the science, practice and education of physical therapy.
  3. Promote, develop, and maintain effective community partnerships, cultivating proficiency in collaborative practice through modeling and experience in inter-professional education. 

Program Outcomes

  1. Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell will be prepared to exhibit attributes, characteristics and behaviors of professionals including: commitment to learning, interpersonal and communication skills, effective use of time and resources, use of constructive feedback, problem-solving, professionalism, responsibility, critical thinking, and stress management.
  2. Graduates will practice physical therapy in a safe, evidence directed, effective, autonomous , mindful, culturally sensitive, ethical, and legal manner consistent with the patient/client management model.
  3. Faculty will integrate contemporary practice and current literature to guide curriculum and course content. Faculty employ contemporary teaching and learning strategies with pedagogical principles to physical therapy education.
  4. The program adheres to departmental policies and procedures regarding academic achievement and standards of professional behavior and conduct insuring that graduates are prepared to meet current standards of practice. 
  5. Faculty will promote, develop and maintain scholarship associated with clinical, community and curricular engagement activities. 
  6. The program, will prepare students to apply principles of the scientific method to conduct research and participate in evidence-based practice. 
  7. The program will develop and maintain local and international partnerships that deepen our commitment to communities and cultures promoting health and wellness. 
  8. The program will develop, promote and maintain opportunities consistent with Interprofessional Education and Collaborative practice in accordance with the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Core (IPEC) Competencies. 

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