Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Eligibility Requirements

Admission to the Physical Therapy program is based not only on academic achievement, but also on non-academic factors which ensure that candidates can complete the essential functions of the academic program required for graduation.

The Division of Physical Therapy has the responsibility to ensure that its graduates become fully competent and caring physical therapists. Enrollment in the program is limited to 40 students each year, and the application process is competitive. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• US Residency
• Graduate Record Examination and Other Tests
• Physical Therapy Experience
• Minimum Academic Requirements
• Prerequisite Courses
• Criminal History Background Check

As a reference for prospective students, we provide a profile of the class entering in 2008.

US Residency

Application is restricted to those who are US Citizens or US Permanent Residents by the autumn program entrance date. For questions concerning eligibility, contact the Residence Classification Office at 206-543-5932, or visit their website

Please note it is difficult to establish Washington State Residency for individuals residing elsewhere in the US. Requirement details can be found at the same website.

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Graduate Record Examination and Other Tests

Applicants are REQUIRED to submit scores from the General Test portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) with their applications. The General Test of the GRE measures verbal, quantitative and analytical skills that have been developed over a long period of time. The test is available year round in computer-based format. Advance registration is required and students should plan ahead in order for scores to be reported in a timely manner. Those who have taken the test in the past must inquire early to be sure their scores can be properly reported.

In addition, applicants who have obtained their bachelor's degrees from non-English speaking countries must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). These exams are also available throughout the year from computer-based testing centers, similar to the GRE.

There are many options available for GRE, TOEFL, and TOEIC test preparation and registration. Visit the Educational Testing Service Website for more details.

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Physical Therapy Experience

Most successful candidates to the Physical Therapy program have gained extensive observational exposure to physical therapists who work in a broad variety of service delivery environments. In addition, effective applicants are able to obtain strong letters of reference from the physical therapists they have interacted with. Students are expected to arrange their own PT-related work or volunteer experiences. Volunteering in the physical therapy department of a hospital or private clinic is a good place to begin.

As a resource for prospective students, the Physical Therapy Curriculum Office maintains folder of job opportunities that contains listings of PT-related employment appropriate for non-professionals. Applicants are welcome to review this folder at the PT Curriculum Office (Suite BB-928, University of Washington Medical Center). Please contact us if you have questions regarding relevant experiences.

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Minimum Academic Requirements

Prior to the application deadline of December 15, prospective students must meet the following minimum academic requirements:

• 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all college-level courses
• 3.0 GPA on PT prerequisite courses alone
• 2.0 (C) or higher grade on each PT prerequisite course
• Some PT prerequisite courses completed

These minimum requirements must be maintained until program entrance and all prerequisite courses must be completed by that time. Applicants must also finish a bachelor's degree prior to starting the program.

To meet PT prerequisite requirements, credits may be used from college-level coursework taken any time in the past. Courses may be taken at any accredited institution of higher education, incluiding community colleges, colleges, or universities.

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Prerequisite Courses

Under each prerequisite subject listed below, courses in parentheses are the suggested UW equivalents. Course content, level, and credit at other schools may vary, and still be considered sufficient. Students attending Washington community colleges should check the UW Equivalency Guide to determine equivalencies. Others should compare the course descriptions in their college catalogs with the following descriptions to ensure approximate equivalencies.

• Chemistry
  Two courses that cover atomic theory, periodic table, quantum concepts, gas laws, structure and bonding, reaction types, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and acid-base reactions. These courses should include laboratories. Recommended preparation: high school chemistry and advanced algebra (CHEM 142 & 152). Note that an alternative series (CHEM 120 and 220), covering basic principles of inorganic and some organic chemistry, is also acceptable.
• Biology
  Two courses that cover living systems and focus on such topics as cell structure/function, genetics, metabolism, development, diversity, ecology, evolution, and conservation (BIOL 161/162 or BIOL 180/200).
• Behavioral Science
  Any two courses in behavioral science, including psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
• Statistics
  Any introductory course including elementary concepts of probability and sampling, as well as basic principles of hypothesis testing and data analysis (STAT 220 or STAT 311).
• Physics
  Two courses that cover mechanics, sound, heat, and electromagnetism, and incorporate lab work. Recommended preparation includes high school physics, algebra and trigonometry (PHYS 114-lecture with 117-lab, and PHYS 115-lecture with 118-lab).
• Anatomy
  One course that covers systemic human anatomy with correlated lectures and demonstrations (BSTR 301).
• Physiology
  One course that covers human physiology for non-majors and health science students (BIOL 118/119).

Note that two courses that cover integrated anatomy and physiology are an acceptable substitute.

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Criminal History Background Check

Most clinical internship placement sites require potential traninees to undergo an extensive criminal history background check, especially for crimes against vulnerable populations. To ensure that all students offered positions in the Physical Therapy program have no criminal history and therefore will be able to finish the clinical portion of the curriculum, the completion of a fee-for-service criminal background check request form will be required before applicants are admitted to the program.

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Profile of the Entering Class

Students offered admission for this academic year had strong academic records, high standardized test scores, broad volunteer and/or paid PT-related work experience, a cogent personal statement, and excellent letters of recommendation.

Total qualified applicants: 382
Students accepted into program: 32 (5 were re-applicants)
Prerequisite GPA (average): 3.75 (range: 3.44 – 4.00)
Cumulative GPA (average): 3.70 (range: 3.13 – 3.94)
GRE General Test (average % rank): 65-70% (depending on section)

Past research has shown that the average number of PT experience hours falls in the range of 200-500, volunteer and/or paid.

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To learn more about the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Washington, please explore the links below:

• Program Description
• Diversity & Equal Opportunity
• Accreditation
• Applying
• Selection Process
• Curriculum
• Tuition & Financial Aid
• Careers
• Faculty Members
• Living in Seattle
• Photo Gallery
• Contact Information