General Program Description

The physical therapy program is a full-time, 2.7-year program beginning with the summer session in May. The program runs for eight semesters and concludes in November. Students typically spend 25-30 hours in class each week.

Clinical Experiences
At the end of the second fall semester, there is an eight-week clinical rotation. During the second summer semester, students spend a week at Camp John Marc working with pediatric clients. The final summer and fall semesters offer two 14-week rotations. Clinical experiences are varied and include rehabilitation, pediatric, geriatric, general acute, out-patient, home health and school system sites. The majority of the clinical sites are located in Texas with 50% in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Faculty
There are 10 full-time and two part-time faculty members. Eight of the full-time faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees. Eight faculty are certified as clinical specialist and 11 are engaged in clinical practice. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged seven publications in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:6.

Enrollment
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has a total enrollment of 1,555 (51% male, 49% female). In May, 2012, the physical therapy program accepted 40 students from a pool of 450 applicants, four of these were out-of-state students.

Admission
The mean cumulative grade point average (GPA) of the 2012 class upon admission was 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. Prerequisite course work includes 8 hours of lower- or upper-division biology; 8 hours of anatomy or anatomy and physiology; 8 hours of physics; 8 hours of chemistry; 3 hours of general psychology; 3 hours of abnormal or developmental psychology; 3 hours of college algebra (or higher); and 3 of hours statistics. Completion of a Medical Terminology, kinesiology, and exercise physiology courses are recommended. In addition, applicants must take the GRE and report their scores (verbal and quantitative). It is recommended that applicants have a minimum pre-requisite GPA and an overall GPA of 3.0. The application deadline is Dec 1. Interviews begin in September and end in January. Over the last two years, the average matriculation rate was 86% For the last class graduating, Pass rate on the licensure exam for first time takers in 2011 was 100%. Over the past three years, the average first0-time pass rate has been 97%.

Outcomes
93% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 97% of the graduates passed the licensure exam on the first try (3-year average); and 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The average cost for tuition and fees, including books, lab equipment/fees, property deposit, student service fees, malpractice insurance, and a graduation fee, was $10,313 for in-state students for year 1,$9054 for year 2, and $3538 for year 3 and $22,828 for year 1, $19,270 for year 2, and $7298 for year 3 for out-of-state students. For specific information regarding tuition, please contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] The University has on-campus housing available for students in the Southwestern Medical Park Apartments. One and two bedroom apartments are available. For specific information or an application, please contact the Leasing Office at (214) 956-9300 or visit the Campus Housing Website at http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/home/facultyadministration/auxiliaryservices/campushousing/index.html. Students are able to find off-campus housing at a variety of nearby apartments. The average rent for an off-campus, one-bedroom apartment ranges from $630 – $700 per month. A student’s financial aid is calculated from a Financial Aid Form and subtracted from the student’s budget for the time of enrollment. The remaining amount is the student’s financial need. An eligible student may qualify for one or combination of loans, grants, campus jobs, and scholarships. For specific information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 214/648-3611.

Student life
There are no intercollegiate athletic programs. However, there is an active intramural program. The Bryan Williams, M.D. Student Center is approximately 43,000 square feet. The centerpiece is a special events center and gymnasium that accommodates basketball, badminton, volleyball, indoor soccer, and other recreational activities. The 60-acre UT Southwestern campus, located just north of downtown Dallas, is the focus of a large medical complex that includes the following principal teaching hospitals: Parkland Memorial Hospital, Children’s Medical Center, and UT Southwestern Hospitals St. Paul and Zale-Lipshy. The William P. Clements hospital is currently underconstruction. UTSW is served by two airports (Dallas/Ft Worth International and Love Field). Multiple cultural and entertainment activities are available with several major medical and other academic centers within close proximity.