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
UCA DPT – TOP 25%
U.S. News & World Report released the 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings on April 10, revealing the excellent performance of University of Central Arkansas programs including Physical Therapy #58, Occupational Therapy #92 and Speech Language Pathology #136.
The UCA DPT Program continues to rank best among DPT Schools nationally. UCA is ranked among the top 25% of DPT Programs according to U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Grad Schools review.
Best Physical Therapy Programs (usnews.com)
Dr. Kim Dunleavy and Dr. Twala Maresh
Dunleavy and Maresh Distinguished Alumni
The Joe Finnell Distinguished Alumni Award (JFDAA) recognizes and honors UCA Physical Therapy alumni for outstanding contributions and impact to the profession or community. This year’s recipients are the 13th and 14th UCA Physical Therapy alumni to receive the JFDAA. The 2024 JFDAA recipients are Dr. Kim Dunleavy and Dr. Twala Maresh. Both were recognized at the 2024 DPT Convocation Ceremony at UCA in the Reynolds Performance Hall on Friday, August 9, 2024. Click for more information about each recipient.
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.
 
DPT Program Information
UCA DPT Brochure provides information for prospective applicants to the DPT Program. The Arkansas Course Transfer System provides information about specific courses as well as the Arkansas Four Year Schools PT Prerequisite Course Equivalency to UCA.
Links
APTA Arkansas arpta.org
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
UCA DPT Financial Fact Sheet (new)
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.