General Program Description

The Department of Physical Therapy, located within the College of Public Health and Health Professions, consists of a dynamic, and growing faculty dedicated to excellence in education, research, and service. The Department is committed to:

• Preparing entry-level students to become practitioners of evidence-based physical therapy through the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  
• Training PhD students to perform basic science and clinical research through the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program
  
• Advancing the science of physical therapy and rehabilitation through innovative interdisciplinary research, and professional and community service

The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program provides the required education necessary for graduates to take the professional license examination and embark on a professional career in physical therapy.

The curriculum is an eight (8)-semester plan of study, which incorporates 32 weeks of full-time clinical internship and several weeks of integrated part-time clinical experiences. The students are awarded the DPT degree after completing 112 credit hours of professional course work.

The curriculum had been established along three basic educational principles that are instilled in the philosophy and mission of the program. First, it is necessary that a strong basic science background in the biological, kinesiological, and behavioral sciences be established as the foundation upon which the curriculum is developed. Secondly, incorporation of principles underlying logical reasoning and the scientific method shall be woven throughout all aspects of the curriculum. These principles shall be implicitly stated in the faculty’s behavior as role models through their incorporation of their research and clinical practice experiences in the classroom setting. Thirdly, students will recognize that the practice of physical therapy is empowered by the collaborative efforts of the team, ensuring a partnership of people working toward a common goal. This principle is instilled in the students throughout the content of the curriculum and is exemplified by the faculty’s collaborative teaching and research efforts.

Clinical Experiences
Students begin participating in part-time clinical experiences in the third semester of the program. Each student then completes a total of 32 weeks of full time clinic experience during the fifth, seventh and eighth semesters.

Enrollment
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts 70 new students each year.

Admission
The following are minimum requirements for entry into the DPT program.

1.  Baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university. Degree needs to be completed prior to entering the program, but is not required to be complete at the time of application
2. Minimum score of 146 on the verbal portion of the GRE, 144 on the quantitative portion and 3.5 on the analytical writing portion for GRE test.
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) for undergraduate college level coursework completed in any semesters after attainment of 60 semester credit hours (in effect, your GPA for your junior and senior years)
4. Minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) for the average of all prerequisite courses
5. Completion of the PTCAS Application
6. Completion of prerequisite course work within the last 7 years
7. Three letters of reference with PTCAS recommendation forms

• One from someone practicing in the field of physical therapy

• One from someone who can speak to your academic ability

• One from someone who can speak to your character

8. A minimum of 40 hours of observation or volunteer work in at least 3 different types of physical therapy settings (a minimum of 10 hours must be completed in each setting type), including at least one orthopedic setting, one neurological setting, and one specialty area, such as pediatrics, sports, geriatrics, acute care, etc. Applicants may fulfill a maximum of two required observation settings at one facility. The specific number of hours completed in each setting must be distinctly documented in PTCAS so the number of hours observed in each setting type is evident. All required hours must be competed and verified through PTCAS by the application deadline.
9. All application materials received no later than November 1st of the year prior to your entry date.
10. A personal interview may be required

Outcomes
97% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average). 100% of those graduates that took the NPTE in 2012-2014 passed.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The Physical Therapy Program has a professional flat fee structure with the annual tuition $22,632.78 for in-state residents and $31,872.78 for non-residents. Fees are subject to change by the University Administration. For up-to-date tuition rates, please contact the department. Students in the DPT program may qualify for University or College assistance. Students can obtain a University financial aid application and request a Gator Aid brochure, which contains general information on expenses and financial aid, online from the Student Financial Affairs web site at http://www.sfa.ufl.edu/ or call (352) 392-1275. The majority of physical therapy students receive some sort of financial aid.

Student life
A limited number of dormitories and apartments are available on campus. Convenient off-campus housing is available in a wide price range. Intercollegiate and intramural athletics and recreational facilities are abundant. Multiple cultural and entertainment activities are an integral part of campus life.