Physical Therapy

Physical therapists help patients recover from physical limitations due to injury or ailment. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to bring the patient to optimal health using exercise and movement in the affected area. 

In order to become a physical therapist, an individual must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT). Certification is also required to specialize in a particular area of physical therapy, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, and more. To learn more about the process of earning certifications, please visit the American Board or Physical Therapy Specialties. 

To qualify for admission to a physical therapy program, students must take the necessary prerequisites for each school. A bachelor's degree is also required for admission. 

Degrees and Coursework

What major should I select at UNT for a pre-PT path?

Popular majors among pre-PT students at UNT include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Pre-PT/Allied Health Track, College of Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Studies, College of Health and Public Service
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health, College of Health and Public Service
  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Please note that physical therapy programs do not require a specific degree.  As long as you complete a bachelor’s degree, along with all prerequisites, you will meet the minimum education requirements for DPT programs.

For more information about each major, please visit the UNT Catalog and select 'majors, minors, certificates' that is found beneath the link to ‘Catalog Home'.

What courses do I need for PT school?

Please refer to our Pre-Physical Therapy Packet for a list of prerequisites for each Texas PT program. To review prerequisites for PT programs outside of Texas, please refer to each individual school's website or the PTCAS directory.

Applying to PT School

What makes a competitive application to PT school?

Admission to a physical therapy program is very competitive and applicants should create a strategic plan well in advance. Below you will find characteristics of a competitive application. Please contact our advisors in the UNT Office of Health Professions to further explore each characteristic and to create your pre-physical therapy plan. 

Recommendations for a Competitive Application:

  • Overall, Math/Science, and Last 60 Hours GPAs - 3.6+ (average admitted GPA’s vary by school)
  • GRE Score - Verbal: 150+ / Quantitative: 150+ / Writing: 4+
  • Shadowing/Observation - 100+ Hours in both an inpatient and outpatient setting
  • Volunteering - 150+ Hours 
  • Direct Patient Contact (PT Technician Experience) - 2000+ Hours
  • Various Extracurricular Activities, On or Off Campus

Core Competencies for Healthcare

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) came up with a set of skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics that they believe are essential for future physicians called the pre-med core competencies. Because of its relevance to all healthcare professions, many other health professional schools have embraced the core competencies as well.  Since many, if not most, health professional schools evaluate applicants based on these competencies, we recommend that students develop proficiency in them.  More information on the AAMC Core Competencies can be found here.

Using this handout, your pre-health advisor can help you evaluate your progress on becoming a competitive applicant to PT school. 

How do I apply to PT school?

Physical therapy schools in the United States use one online application service called PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service). The application cycle opens in June of each year, accepting applications for entering the program the following year.  Please note that there are fees associated with using this service.

When should I apply to PT school?
Candidates must apply to physical therapy schools one year before entering a program. On the traditional four-year path, students will apply during the summer after their junior year of college, complete their bachelor's degree at the end of their senior year, and enter physical therapy school the following fall semester. However, every applicant’s journey is different and your UNT Health Professions Advisor is committed to helping create a plan and timeline that accommodates your individual goals and circumstances.
Do PT schools require an entrance exam?

Many physical therapy programs require a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score.  The score range for the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE is 130-170. The range for the writing section is 0-6. For more information about the GRE, please visit the official ETS website.

Additional Resources for Students

Are there any pre-health scholarships available to pre-PT students?

Yes, pre-PT students can apply for the following pre-health scholarship using the College of Science general scholarship application:

The Dr. Charles D. and Vernil Mitchell Endowed Scholarship
To be considered, a student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting major in the College of Science and be a graduate of any high school in Dallas ISD. For more information, please contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu. 

What are some additional resources for pre-PT students at UNT?

You can find a list of health-related student organizations at UNT here.  You can search for other student clubs and organizations on OrgSync.

If you are a current student, join our canvas course to receive important announcements and view resources related to your pre-PT journey.

How can I get started with creating a pre-PT plan?

If you are a current student at UNT, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our pre-health advisors using the following link: https://unt.navigate.eab.com/. If you are a prospective student, interested in enrolling at UNT in the future, and have any questions about "pre-PT" at UNT, please feel free to contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu.