Physical Therapy
Welcome
The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Arkansas offers a PhD in Physical Therapy degree, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and an accredited Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program. The UCA Department of Physical Therapy began graduating students in 1972 as the first PT Program in the state of Arkansas. As a member of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, (see CHBS video) the Department of Physical Therapy is chaired by Dr. Kevin Garrison, PT, PhD, Chairperson and Associate Professor.
Programs Offered
Seeking Nominations 2025 JFDAA
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy is seeking nominations for the Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes graduates who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in their professional careers. The honoree(s) will be recognized in August at the DPT Convocation Ceremony. The 2025 DPT Convocation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Reynolds Performance Hall at UCA.
Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award — Physical Therapy
DPT Open House
The PT Department will host an Open House for prospective students to visit the PT Center and learn more about the DPT Program at UCA. The event is drop-in (come and go) between 10 AM and 12 PM on Saturday, April 12th at the PT Center in Conway.
For more information, please contact us at pt@uca.edu.
DPT Program Information
UCA DPT Brochure
Admission and application information regarding the DPT Program are described in the UCA DPT Brochure 2025.
Information about the UCA Doctor of Physical Therapy Program including description, Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PCAS), student outcomes, estimated cost of program, admission requirements, UCA Early Assurance Program, application, international students, helpful documents and useful links can be found on our DPT Program webpage.
Prospective students can also visit our Pre-Physical Therapy pathway page for information about equivalent course work.
DPT Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (501) 450-3611 or email pt@uca.edu.
 
UCA DPT Financial Fact Sheet
2024-dpt-student-financial-fact-sheet-revised-11.22.2024
This UCA specific financial fact sheet is updated annually and provides specific dollar amounts regarding cost to attend.
Links
APTA Arkansas arpta.org
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Physical Therapy Application Service (PTCAS)
Arkansas, The Natural State
Conway, The City of Colleges
The University of Central Arkansas
Process for Filing a Complaint about the program. Send an email to pt@uca.edu with subject line: Grievance.
PTC Emergency Procedures
The building emergency plan (PTC Emergency Procedures) is provided at PTC Emergency Procedures. Contact the Department of Physical Therapy directly at (501) 450-3611 or email at pt@uca.edu.