Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Chemistry I & II with labs 
8 credits (for science majors)

Physics I & II 
8 credits (algebra or calculus based)

Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs 
8 credits or 4 credits Anatomy and 4 credits of Physiology (each must have 1 hours labs)

Algebra or higher or AP credit 
3 credits (NOT statistics)

Intro or general Psychology
3 credits

2nd Psychology: Lifespan Developmental, Abnormal, or Physiological
3 credits

Medical Terminology
1-3 credits or Universal class online Med Term 201

Highly Recommended Coursework

• Exercise Physiology
• Advanced Physiology
• Neuro anatomy/physiology
• Statistics

The prerequisite GPA is an important part of the admission decisions. Students who have the opportunity to choose a letter grade, should do so. During this COVID -19 crisis, we understand if a student may need to take a pass/fail grade during Spring and Summer 2020, however those applications with a grade of A or B will be at an advantage. If you take a pass/fail grade, you will need to replace the grade with a letter grade before beginning our DPT program. If you need to withdraw from your courses, it will not be held against you. The committee understands everyone is being impacted differently with this pandemic. We have added an optional question to the school specific questions on the PTCAS application if you wish to elaborate.

We will accept an application with less than the required minimum of 80 observation hours. For applicants who do not have many observation hours, we highly recommend you visit www.APTA.org and choose the tabs "Careers & Education" and also "Prospective Students." It is very important for prospective students to research the profession before committing to a rigorous full time DPT program. We highly encourage students to continue to look for observation opportunities in the Fall and next Spring 2021 when it is deem safe. The additional hours can be emailed to PT@twu.edu after the application has been submitted. Try to complete at least 20 hours of inpatient observation.

Although the TWU Graduate School has waived the GRE requirement for this upcoming admission cycle, at this time, the School of Physical Therapy is still requiring the GRE. ETS now has an option to take the GRE from your home if you have the proper equipment as it will be monitored by a camera. You can submit the PTCAS application without GRE scores then you have until September 24 to take the exam for scores to arrive by our October 15 deadline. Please check back in September for an update as we will monitor the situation or email concerns to PT@twu.edu.

The School of Physical Therapy will accept online courses, even online science courses and online labs. It is highly recommended to have dissection experience before cadaver lab.

Program Contact

Mary Beth Daugherty
Admissions Coordinator
940-898-2460
PT@twu.edu / Mdaugherty@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

October 15 @ 11 CST  (9 months before the program begins). The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application opens July 1st (one year in advance).  All materials must be received by TWU and PTCAS.  The DPT program only begins in the Fall semester.

The application review cycle begins in July.  Students will receive an email of acceptance or alternate notice no earlier than mid-December.

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be in the process of completing prerequisites and bachelor’s degree when applying. If accepted, the student must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree and all outstanding prerequisites in order to enroll.

• Baccalaureate degree in any major.
• Required Prerequisites completed with a grade of C or higher before the program begins (recommended that no more than three are outstanding at the time of application).
• Prerequisite Math & Science GPA above 3.0 using the latest grades in: Chemistry I & II with labs, Physics I & II with labs, Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs, and Algebra (or higher, statistics not accepted)
• Overall GPA above 3.0 (includes original and retake grades of all college courses) as calculated in PTCAS.
• Last 60 semester credit hours above 3.0 as calculated in PTCAS. This will include all post-bachelors or masters credits before the bachelor’s degree. Calculation ends where 59-60 credits fall and includes whole semesters (range can be 59-73 hours.)
• General Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Must be completed within the last 5 years.  Super scoring is utilized - the highest score in each area of all exams. 
• A minimum of 80 hours observing two physical therapists from differently owned facilities (40 hours with each PT). Applicants must have both inpatient (Minimum 20 hours) and outpatient experiences. Documentation is through PTCAS.
• Current BLS certifications in CPR and AED from the American Heart Association completed before entering the program.
• Immunizations received before entering the program as required by the state of Texas, including 3-Hepatitis B, Tdap (within 9 years), 2-MMR, 2-varicella or titer, TB test (expires after 12 months), and Hepatitis C testing. In addition, a flu shot is required in the fall of every year while in the program .
• Testing for drugs and a criminal background check.
• International students or if your bachelor’s degree is from a country where the official language is other than English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken English tests and achieve scores of at least 24-writing, 26-speaking, 21-reading comprehension, and 18-listening comprehension - Total 89. For a list of exempt countries and the TOEFL exemption form visit the TWU International Student Admission website.

How to Apply - Two Part Process

Part I: Apply to TWU

1. Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School. When completing the Apply Texas Application select:
   • Semester Applying: Fall (if Fall is not listed, choose Spring)
   • Campus: TWU Denton
   • Major: Physical Therapy Entry DPT (DAL) or Physical Therapy Entry DPT (HOU). Do not select Post Professional.
   • Degree-seeking and Ultimate Degree: Doctoral
2. Create a TWU Portal account 48 hours after you submit your application (https://portal.twu.edu). Locate your TWU Colleague ID# at the top of the page when you log in (seven digits generally beginning with a 1). Record this ID # to be added later on the PTCAS application in the Supplemental area.
3. Take the GRE General Test and submit your GRE scores using PTCAS Code 1673 (this will submit to PTCAS and TWU). Take the exam before September 24 for scores to arrive by the October 15 deadline. 
4. Have official TOEFL scores sent to TWU using Code 6826 (if applicable).
5. Send transcripts from all schools to both TWU and PTCAS.
   • TWU Admissions Processing; P.O. Box 425649; Denton, TX 76204 (or oap@twu.edu)
   • PTCAS; P.O. Box 9112; Watertown, MA 02471

Part II: Complete the PTCAS Application Process

1. Complete the online Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application (opens July 1^st - a year in advance)
2. Include Additional Supplemental materials as outlined on PTCAS application:
   • Interest letter for TWU
   • Resume
   • Documentation of Observation Hours
   • Three letters of recommendation (From two PT’s and one professor or employer)
   • Campus preference: Dallas or Houston
   • TWU Colleague ID#