Program Overview

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, a three-year entry-level professional program designed to prepare students to enter the physical therapy profession. The program includes didactic coursework and clinical learning experiences, with the goal of preparing graduates to sit for the state licensure examination and practice as licensed physical therapists.

Program Overview

• The program spans 3 years, with 112 credit hours of graduate coursework spread across 6 semesters and 3 summers.
• It is ranked among the top 17% of the best physical therapy programs in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report (2024).
• The curriculum includes classroom, clinical, and research/service learning activities, providing students with a comprehensive background in the art and science of physical therapy.
• Students gain exposure to common inpatient/outpatient practice settings and various areas of specialty practice.

Curriculum

The curriculum emphasizes professional development, critical thinking, and effective communication, preparing students as generalists in the field of physical therapy. Key aspects of the curriculum include:

• 35 weeks of full-time clinical internships distributed across four supervised clinical education experiences, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in various practice environments.
• Immersive studies in gross anatomy with cadaver dissections, neuroanatomy, musculoskeletal evaluation, and clinical physiology in the first year.
• Integration of advanced topics such as pharmacology, neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pediatric physical therapy, and diagnostic imaging in the second year.
• Focus on specialized areas of physical therapy, including women's health, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, and cardiopulmonary care in the third year.

Student Learning Objectives

• First Year: Students build a foundational understanding of human anatomy, movement science, and essential professional skills.
• Second Year: Students integrate advanced topics and participate in their first supervised clinical education experiences.
• Third Year: Students focus on specialized areas of physical therapy.

Career Possibilities

Upon graduation and licensure, UNLV DPT students are well-prepared to enter a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Private Practice
• Home health agencies
• Outpatient rehabilitation centers
• Offices and clinics of physicians and nursing homes
• Academia
• Research

Employment for physical therapists in Nevada is projected to grow approximately 20% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), reflecting strong statewide demand driven by population growth, aging demographics, and expanding access to rehabilitative care.

Admission Requirements

To apply to the program, candidates must follow a multi-step process:

1. Review the Application Process: Learn more about the application process and admissions cycle.
2. View Admission Requirements: Read the requirements carefully, as only candidates that meet all criteria will be considered.
3. Understand Essential Tasks for Students: Becoming a physical therapist requires the completion of a professional education program that is both intellectually and physically challenging.
4. Apply to the Program via PTCAS: Submit the application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), including all supporting documents.
5. Submit the UNLV Graduate Application Upon Admission: Submit the UNLV Graduate College supplemental application in addition to the PTCAS application.

Additional Resources

• Estimated Costs
• Financial Aid
• UNLV Housing and Residential Life
• Academic Success Center
• Disability Resource Center
• UNLV Division of Health Sciences Advising Center
• UNLV Pre-Professional Advising Center