1101 N. Campbell, Room 500
(915) 747-8207

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Paul M. Nagel

Physical Therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal physical function. Physical therapists apply scientific principles to prevent and treat acute and chronic movement disorders. Physical therapy encompasses areas of specialization and includes the development of new approaches to more effectively meet existing and emerging health care needs.

The Physical Therapy program offers a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy (MPT). Therefore, undergraduate students interested in the program should be aware early in their academic careers of the admission requirements so that they can better prepare themselves for the Physical Therapy Program's selection process.

While acceptance into the Master's Degree Program does not require completion of an undergraduate degree, the competitive nature of the admissions process makes it imperative that interested undergraduates follow a traditional undergraduate major (e.g., Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Health) as they complete the program prerequisites and electives. In addition, undergraduates should be aware of the University Core Curriculum and its requirements as they plan a course of study that may lead to consideration for admission to the Master's Degree in Physical Therapy.

Acceptance into the program requires the completion of ninety prerequisite and elective undergraduate credit hours (see below) and selection after a competitive admissions process (see below). Twenty-four students are selected each year and begin their studies in the Fall. Successful completion of the academic and clinical components f the Master’s Degree makes the graduate eligible to take the Texas (and other State) license examination in Physical Therapy.

The program with its academic and clinical components is two and one-half calendar years in length (eight consecutive semesters). The semesters are sequential and require full time attendance. Included in the program are a total of twenty-eight (28) weeks of full time clinical rotations and a research project.

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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Before admission to the Physical Therapy program, students must meet all admission requirements as stated below.

Undergraduate Courses
At least 72 undergraduate hours must be completed prior to the formal application process and a minimum of 90 semester hours* of undergraduate study must be completed prior to starting the program. When planning a course of study that may lead to consideration for the program, students should take course that apply to the University Core Curriculum, meet requirements for a regular academic major, and satisfy program prerequisites. No more than 66 credit hours can be transferred from a community or junior college. All science (biology, chemistry, physics) and math courses must have been completed in the last 10 years.

Prerequisite Courses

These prerequisites must meet specified conditions¹ and include:

Biology 12 credit hours

BIOL 3105/1107
BIOL 3211/1211

OR
ZOOL 4206 Upper-level elective
(e.g., molecular cell, vertebrate physiology, microbiology)
NOTE: BIOL 3213/1213 does not meet requirements as upper-level courses.

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Chemistry 8 credit hours

CHEM 3106/1106

COMM 3101
OR
COMM 3102

ENGL 3111*
ENGL 3112*
ENGL 3355

OR
ENGL 3359

PHYS 4103*
PHYS 4104* (PHYS 1402)

PSYC 3101
PSYC 3210

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Statistics 3 credit hours

PSYC 3103*

Elective Courses

The remainder of the undergraduate courses are elective. Students are urged to choose courses that complete an academic major, fulfill University Core requirements, and promote a well-rounded education.

Additional Requirements for Admission

1. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on a four point scale) for all courses.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a four point scale) in math and science (biology, chemistry, physics) courses.
3. 150 clock hours of documented volunteer or paid experience in a physical therapy setting (must be completed by December 15 of the year the student applies to the program).
4. Three references (one of which must be from a Physical Therapist who supervised the work or volunteer experience).
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Minimum score of 950 with a minimum of 400 on each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
6. International students, when English is not the official or first language, must have a minimum score of 550 on TOEFL.
7. Completed application for the Graduate School.
8. Official transcripts (plus two copies) of all colleges or community colleges attended.
9. Graduate application processing fee ($15 for U.S. permanent residents;$65 for International applicants).
10. Completion of an official interview of all eligible candidates.

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SELECTION CRITERIA

Completion of the above requirements makes a student eligible for selection, but it does NOT guarantee admission to the Physical Therapy Program. The final selection is competitive and based on academic course work and the other requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are available from the Graduate School beginning AUGUST 1 and are accepted by the Graduate School from SEPTEMBER 1 through NOVEMBER 1 for the following Fall admission.

Supporting documentation and test scores must be submitted to the Graduate School by DECEMBER 15; Fall transcripts are due by JANUARY 15.

All applications, supporting documentation, transcripts, and test scores should be sent to :

Graduate School
201 Administration Building
University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX 79968
(915) 747-5491
gradschool@utep.edu

Inquiries may be addressed to:

Physical Therapy Program
UTEP College of Nursing & Health Sciences
1101 N. Campbell
El Paso, TX 79902-0581
(915)747-8207
pdumond@utep.edu

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