Description
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program requires a Baccalaureate degree as well as specific prerequisite coursework. Students attending UCA for their undergraduate work may declare a degree with the major of their choice and incorporate the prerequisite coursework (see UCA DPT Course Checksheet). Students who are interested in physical therapy and plan to apply for the DPT Degree can view the UCA DPT Brochure – February 1, 2024 or visit the DPT Degree web page. The Department of Physical Therapy can be reached by phone at (501) 450-3611 or you can send an email to: pt@uca.edu for questions about the degree requirements, DPT prerequisites, admission options and deadlines. The Prerequisite Course Transfer Guide provides helpful information about courses at four-year colleges & universities in Arkansas.
DPT Application – Observation Hours
The UCA Department of Physical Therapy will continue to suspend the requirement for DPT Applicants to complete physical therapy observation hours. Students are encouraged to learn about the profession of physical therapy in other ways. For example, the American Physical Therapy Association provides information about the profession at the following link Becoming a Physical Therapist | APTA.
Early Assurance Program 
Students who begin at UCA as a freshman with a 30 or higher on the ACT (1320 on SAT in critical thinking and math) from high school are eligible for the Early Assurance Program for admission to the DPT Program. UCA students in this program who maintain the necessary requirements will be automatically admitted to the DPT program. Actual enrollment will occur after completion of the baccalaureate degree. To maintain early assurance admission status students must: take all coursework at UCA, attend three Pre-PT Club meetings each year, by September 1 of application year hold a 3.70 cumulative GPA and 3.50 cumulative science GPA, complete 22 hours of required science by October 1 of senior year and complete their bachelor’s degree and all required prerequisites by August of the year of enrollment in the DPT program. See UCA DPT Brochure – February 1, 2024 for more information. Students interested in early assurance admission can contact Mr. Mike Hawkinson for more information about the program and application process by email at mhawkinson@uca.edu or by phone at (501) 450-5541.
Pre-PT Club
The Pre-PT Club is a recognized student organization at UCA for students who are interested physical therapy. The club meets the first Tuesday of each month during X-period. The meetings are designed to help UCA students learn about the profession of physical therapy. For more information, contact the Department at 501-450-3611.
Documents and Links:
The UCA DPT Brochure – February 1, 2024 includes detailed information about the DPT program, admission, application, prerequisites, and more.
UCA DPT Course Requirements – see UCA DPT Course Checksheet
UCA Admissions – https://gopurple.uca.edu/
Link to Arkansas Course Transfer System
Link to: Arkansas Four Year Schools PT Prerequisite Course Equivalency to UCA
For more information about the DPT Program contact the Department of Physical Therapy at (501) 450-3611 or email to pt@uca.edu.