Program Overview

University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program

The University of Colorado has established a highly regarded physical therapy program that has consistently ranked among the top 5% of U.S. programs for over a decade. The program has been associated with outstanding professionals and has produced notable alumni.

Program Overview

The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in physical therapy. The program has two pathways: Residential and Hybrid. The Residential pathway is located at the CU Anschutz campus, while the Hybrid pathway is a combination of online and on-campus instruction.

Demographics

The demographics of recent student cohorts are as follows:

• Class of 2023: 80% female, 20% male, 1% nonbinary/other
• Class of 2024: 74% female, 26% male, 0% nonbinary/other
• Class of 2025: 68% female, 31% male, 1% nonbinary/other
• Class of 2026: 62% female (Combined), 63% female (Residential), 59% female (Hybrid)
• Class of 2027: 71% female (Combined), 75% female (Residential), 64% female (Hybrid)

Applicant Data

• Completed Applications: 1,273
• Invited to Interview: 396
• Interviewed: 260
• Enrolled: 74 (Residential), 39 (Hybrid)
• Cumulative GPA: 3.72
• Last 60-Credits GPA: 3.80
• Science GPA: 3.57

Learning Outcomes

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Learning Outcomes are founded on 5 Curricular Elements:

1. Patient-Centered Care
2. Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Practice
3. Movement for Participation
4. Teamwork and Collaboration
5. Quality Improvement and Safety The learning outcomes are that all (100%) of program graduates and their employers will be competent in:

• Delivery of patient-centered clinical care
• Clinical reasoning and decision-making
• Applying foundational science knowledge to clinical care to promote patient/population movement for life participation
• Applying principles of teamwork and collaboration within healthcare systems
• Providing quality patient-centered health care that is safe, effective, ethical, equitable, and takes cost into account

Graduation Rates

• 2019: 97%
• 2020: 95%
• 2021: 99%
• 2022: 99%
• 2023: 92%

Licensure Pass Rates

• 2020: 97% (first attempt), 100% (ultimate pass rate)
• 2021: 86% (first attempt), 100% (ultimate pass rate)
• 2022: 90% (first attempt), 100% (ultimate pass rate)
• 2023: 82% (first attempt), 94% (ultimate pass rate)
• 2024: 93% (first attempt), 97% (ultimate pass rate)

Employment Rate

The program outcome is that at least 90% of graduates who seek DPT employment will be employed within 12 months after graduation.

• Class of 2018: 100%
• Class of 2019: 100%
• Class of 2020: 100%
• Class of 2021: 100%
• Class of 2022: 100%