Program Overview
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a healthcare profession that promotes optimal physical function and healthy living. Physical therapists apply evidence-based practice with scientific principles to improve mobility by developing individualized treatment plans. The goals are to prevent, improve, and/or maintain functional mobility at all levels of activity.
Program Mission
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will graduate highly qualified doctors of physical therapy prepared to provide culturally proficient and linguistically competent care in our border region and beyond. We endeavor to develop leaders who are committed to patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, our community's health, life-long learning, and the advancement of the physical therapy profession.
Physical Therapy Curriculum
The DPT curriculum is a lockstep curriculum where all didactic courses are offered only once following a lockstep sequence. During the first year, students complete courses in foundational and clinical sciences as well as general physical therapy examination and intervention procedures. Clinical courses begin in the third semester, including Cardiopulmonary Patient Management.
During the second year, students continue with clinical courses focusing on patient examination and treatment with emphasis on integument, orthopedic, and neurological impairments. In addition, students study impairments specific and unique to pediatric patients. Most of the third year is devoted to clinical education.
The final didactic course addresses emerging trends in physical therapy. Students also complete a final capstone project.
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's degree is required prior to admission. The Required Prerequisites Course List is listed below. Note that a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale is required to apply to the program.
- Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution
- Completed Physical Therapy application by set deadline
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended must be sent to PTCAS by set deadline
- Completion of 38 hours of required prerequisite courses
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum prerequisite coursework GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Fifty (50) clock hours of documented volunteer or paid work experience in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist reported to PTCAS by set deadline
- One recommendation from a physical therapist who supervised the applicant's work or volunteer experience sent to PTCAS by set deadline
- Two recommendations from individuals concerning the attributes which qualify the applicant for this program sent to PTCAS by set deadline
Prerequisite Courses
Applicants for the program should have completed the following prerequisite courses (38 semester credit hours):
- 8 semester credit hours in biological sciences with labs (not botany)
- 8 semester credit hours in general chemistry with labs
- 8 semester credit hours in general physics with labs
- 4 semester credit hours in anatomy with labs AND
- 4 semester credit hours in physiology with labs OR (a two-course sequence in anatomy and physiology with labs totaling 8 credit hours)
- 3 semester credit hours in psychology
- 3 semester credit hours in statistics
Recommended courses (not required for admission, but may contribute to success in physical therapy education):
- Exercise Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Public Speaking course (or participation in Toastmasters)
Selection Criteria
Completion of the above requirements makes a student eligible for selection, but does not guarantee admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. The final selection is competitive.
Degree Plan
Required Credits: 99
The following is a list of required courses:
- DRSC 6301: Normal Physiology/Embryology (3 hours)
- DRSC 6388: Pathophysiology (3 hours)
- DRSC 6390: Neuroscience (3 hours)
- DRSC 6495: Anatomy for Rehab Sciences (4 hours)
- PT 6104: Clinical Spanish in PT (1 hour)
- PT 6105: Integrated Clinical Education (1 hour)
- PT 6106: Biophysical Agents in PT (1 hour)
- PT 6107: Surface Anatomy (1 hour)
- PT 6108: Integument Patient Management (1 hour)
- PT 6109: Imaging (1 hour)
- PT 6110: Integrative Seminar I (1 hour)
- PT 6111: Integrative Seminar II (1 hour)
- PT 6116: PT Capstone Project I (1 hour)
- PT 6117: PT Capstone Project II (1 hour)
- PT 6201: Law and Ethics in PT Practice (2 hours)
- PT 6202: Professional Practice in PT (2 hours)
- PT 6203: Differential Diagnosis (2 hours)
- PT 6205: Pharmacology in PT (2 hours)
- PT 6206: Tests and Measures (2 hours)
- PT 6207: Motor Control & Motor Learning (2 hours)
- PT 6208: Patient Care Skills (2 hours)
- PT 6212: Evidence-Based Practice in PT (2 hours)
- PT 6213: Adv. Exercise Prescription (2 hours)
- PT 6214: PT Across the Lifespan (2 hours)
- PT 6215: Special Populations (2 hours)
- PT 6216: Research Methods for PT (2 hours)
- PT 6233: Behavioral Science Topics (2 hours)
- PT 6307: Cardiopulmonary Patient Mgmt (3 hours)
- PT 6311: Musculoskeletal I (3 hours)
- PT 6312: Musculoskeletal II (3 hours)
- PT 6313: Musculoskeletal III (3 hours)
- PT 6314: Neuromuscular Rehabilitation I (3 hours)
- PT 6315: Pediatrics (3 hours)
- PT 6316: Exercise Physiology/Prescr (3 hours)
- PT 6340: Management and Finance in PT (3 hours)
- PT 6403: Clinical Education in PT I (4 hours)
- PT 6404: Clinical Education in PT II (4 hours)
- PT 6405: Clinical Education in PT III (4 hours)
- PT 6407: Med Kines and Motion Analysis (4 hours)
- PT 6414: Neuromuscular Rehab II (4 hours)
- PT 6606: Clinical Education in PT IV (6 hours)
Total Hours: 99