DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)

Welcome to the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.  I encourage students to explore our website, visit our state-of-the-art facilities IN Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and meet our students to explore the possibilities in the profession of physical therapy.  At OUHSC, students join our interprofessional community of learners who are constantly challenged to think, to learn, to do, and to reflect about the physical therapy profession. The faculty and staff are committed to preparing students to grow and develop from novice learners into competent, compassionate, and ethical practitioners.

What is Physical Therapy?

   
“I am completely in awe of the incredible professors in Rehabilitation Sciences. From day one, they were already calling us ‘future colleagues’ and instilled confidence in each of us that we were selected to be a part of this program for a reason, that we were meant to be here– they believed in us throughout the program and did everything in their power to support our growth and development into health care practitioners.  I appreciate that our classes are taught by professionals who have extensive experience in the courses they are teaching and have perfected their teaching approach to encourage information retention and thorough understanding as opposed to memorization. In addition to simply teaching the material, our professors challenge us to explore various topics via lab practicals, research papers, and group projects.”

Bayan Abdallat – Physical Therapy Class of 2021, Oklahoma City Campus
©Photos courtesy of PartyPics

“I chose the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Department of Rehabilitation Sciences because I wanted a program where I could be challenged to grow not only as a student but as a person and future clinician. I was so excited by all the opportunities offered here! The Department has a wonderful, diverse group of students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life. I love learning from their experiences and gaining knowledge to incorporate into my future clinical practice.  Our faculty have a true passion for education and student learning. They are knowledgeable in their fields and instill confidence within students who are just starting out. I feel that my program has many who are ‘practicing at the top’ of their license.”


Hartley Bowman – Physical Therapy Class of 2022, Tulsa Campus, Albert Schweitzer Fellow
©Photos courtesy of PartyPics

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education awarded accreditation for a period of 10 years from 2014 through 2023.

The Physical Therapy program at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Ste. 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone:  703-706-3245; Email; Website.  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 405-271-6588 or email alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu.

Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination for the physical therapist administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a registered Physical Therapist (PT).

Any arrest, charge, or conviction for a felony or a misdemeanor may not only affect a student's ability to attend certain clinical sites for clinical education and fieldwork, but it may also affect a graduate's ability to sit for the certification examination or obtain state licensure.

Click here to access the CAPTE Student Financial Fact Sheet of the most recent graduating class.

Click here to access the policies and procedures in the Student Handbook for the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.

CAPTE Required Public Disclosure of Student Outcomes: 

• Graduation Rate: 98.3% (two-year average as calculated in the 2023 CAPTE Annual Accreditation Report using 2021 and 2022 graduates)
• Licensure Examination Pass Rate (reflecting graduate performance in 2021 & 2022): 122 students attempted the national licensure exam with a 87.7% first-time pass rate and a 99.1% ultimate pass rate (as published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy)
• Employment rate 12 months after passing the board exam (reflecting a two-year average from 2021-2022 graduates): 100% 
  

Physical therapy is a dynamic health profession dedicated to the promotion of optimal health, prevention of disability, and the restoration and maintenance of physical activities that contribute to a successful life. Physical therapy services are provided in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, outpatient clinics, and hospitals.

The professional program consists of 108 semester hours of sequenced and integrated didactic and clinical courses. All didactic coursework is offered on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) campuses in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. This program begins in the summer of every year. Clinical courses are completed within the state and region.

For further information about the profession of physical therapy, contact the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Graduates of the program receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination upon meeting state licensure requirements.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Allied Health ensures that program expectations, learning objectives, and educational outcomes offered at the Oklahoma City campus and Tulsa campus are consistent.   Program outcomes between the Oklahoma City campus and Tulsa campus are evaluated yearly by course directors and reported to the Department Chairman and to the Dean of the College of Allied Health.

“The faculty provide a diverse range of expertise from multiple settings and disciplines within Physical Therapy, including orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, oncology, sports, electrophysiology, and wound care. They provide current scientific literature to support examination, evaluation, and intervention procedures and are involved in numerous research projects including those related to new technology, pediatrics, supporting mental health, oncology and COVID-19. They demonstrate mastery of existing knowledge and a desire to contribute to the growing body of literature and they seek to impart this onto their students.” 

Jarren Thomas, Physical Therapy Class of 2021, Tulsa Campus, Captain, United States Army
©Photos courtesy of PartyPics

Physical therapy is a dynamic health profession dedicated to the promotion of optimal health, prevention of disability, and the restoration and maintenance of physical activities that contribute to a successful life. Physical therapy services are provided in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, one’s workplace, outpatient clinics, and hospitals.

Physical therapists provide direct patient service, consultation, education, and are often engaged in research. They also serve in administrative capacities, including supervising and delegating responsibilities to members of the physical therapy service. They work in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare settings. Physical therapists enter practice as generalists and may later become board-certified specialists. Physical therapists work closely with members of a patient’s team. Physical therapists are also engaged in the development of new approaches of intervention that will more effectively meet existing and emerging health needs in society, including health promotion and disability prevention programs.

Physical therapists are dedicated to improving the ability of an individual to function successfully regardless of the reason for disability: disease or trauma, developmental or acquired, acute in nature or chronic. They are effective working with people of any age with a wide variety of functional limitations. Physical therapists also contribute significantly to the development of standards of practice in physical therapy and to the development of relevant health policy.

Physical therapists are eligible to practice once they receive state licensure. One is eligible to sit for the state licensure examination upon graduation from a physical therapy curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Additional Resources:

• American Physical Therapy Association
• Move Forward Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapist Job Outlook

Students applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must possess personal qualities of character, integrity, and motivation, as well as the capacity to perform essential functions suitable for a career in physical therapy.

2023-2024 Cycle Deadlines

• Soft/Priority Deadline (CAS + OUHSC) – October 3, 2023
• Firm/Final Deadline (CAS + OUHSC) – February 1, 2024

The OUHSC Doctor of Physical Therapy program has joined the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants must complete both the PTCAS application and the OUHSC application. ALL official, sealed transcripts and scores must be sent to PTCAS and entered through the PTCAS on-line system. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a completed on-line application through the PTCAS and OUHSC applications. The OUHSC DPT Program encourages you to APPLY EARLY! We will begin considering applications as early as October 3rd. Those with completed applications (PTCAS + OUHSC) by October 3rd will be given PRIORITY consideration. Applications that are not complete by the October 3rd deadline will not be considered for admission until the firm deadline of February 1. It is possible that up to 50% of the class could be filled prior to the firm deadline of February 1. Our program maintains an appropriate cohort size to ensure a manageable student-to-faculty ratio and to meet accreditation standards. Once the cohort is filled, a waitlist system is implemented to prevent over-enrollment. All official, sealed transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) must be received by the application deadline. Late transcripts and test scores will result in an automatic denial;
2. Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program;
3. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
4. At a minimum, earn both a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and a 2.75 science grade point average on a 4.0 scale as calculated by PTCAS. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average and 2.75 grade point average still applies. The College of Allied Health does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
5. Successfully complete all departmental prerequisite courses with grades of C or better prior to beginning our program the first week of June. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average and 2.75 science grade point average still applies;
6. We recognize that at this time it may be difficult for applicants to complete observation hours. Although we recommend 40 hours of physical therapy observation, they are NOT required. We ask that applicants explore the APTA website to learn more about careers in physical therapy; 
7. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities (including OU and OUHSC transcripts if you have taken courses there) attended and non-refundable application fees through PTCAS ;
8. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (the General Test) prior to the application deadline date. At the time of verification through PTCAS, we will only accept valid reportable GRE scores that are no older than five years following the test date. See ETS for score reporting policies. It is recommended that you take the revised GRE no later than one month prior to the application period for which you are applying to ensure your scores are received by the application deadline. Scores received after the application deadline will result in an automatic denial. The PTCAS GRE Designated Institution Code for the DPT program at OUHSC is 7426; 
9. If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The PTCAS TOEFL Designated Institution Code for the DPT program at OUHSC is 7426. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver; 
10. If previous coursework was from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES); and 
11. All official, sealed transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) must be received by the application deadline. Late transcripts and test scores will result in an automatic denial.

Please note:  If you plan on applying to the program this year, submit an official, sealed transcript from every institution attended AS SOON AS POSSIBLE through the PTCAS system. Do NOT send them to the Health Sciences Center. They will not be forwarded. ALL transcripts and scores must be entered through the on-line PTCAS system. Transcripts take time to process from one institution to the other; therefore, order your transcripts ASAP! Once your fall grades have been posted, please update your PTCAS application ASAP.

“I love that each of our professors are so passionate about being involved in community work. Not only that we get to hear all the cool stories, we also get to be part of it by volunteering and helping on some of the community events.”

Shi Qing Ong –Physical Therapy Class of 2022, Tulsa Campus, Graduate Research Assistant
OU Office of Community Engagement

©Photos courtesy of PartyPics

Course numbers are those of the University of Oklahoma.  Approved prerequisite courses are offered at many institutions.  It is extremely important that you look up every course you have taken, plan to take, and/or are currently enrolled in to verify that they are equivalent courses. The responsibility is yours to enroll in equivalent courses and we provide the tools to make sure you do. Check the Transfer Equivalencies Database or with your school advisor regarding equivalent courses.  There are instructions on that page on how to request a transcript evaluation for particular courses if your courses are not listed in the database.

1. Review and follow the instructions for application to the College of Allied Health.
2. The decision of acceptance, alternate status, or denial to the Physical Therapy program will be communicated through the PTCAS system on a rolling basis beginning in early November and continue through late April. If you have not received notification by May 1st regarding your application status, please contact the Office of Academic and Student Services at (405) 271-6588. However, alternates could be accepted as late as two weeks prior to the beginning of the first summer semester of the program.
3. Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter, or the position will be considered declined. The applicant must accept the position within two weeks of notification, or the position will be considered declined. Alternates may be admitted up to the first class day for the summer semester if all positions have not been filled.
4. Students accepted for admission are required to confirm their intention to enroll and attend by paying a non-refundable deposit on enrollment. The deposit is applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.

Please note: Students may apply to either campus but sometimes a student spot is only available on one campus. Students are required to attend all classes on the campus to which they are admitted.

View Application Statistics

Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

Additional cost information:
Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees
Student Financial Aid

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty

Year 1

Spring Semester

Year 2

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Year 3

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Last reviewed:  December 15, 2021

Course Descriptions

View Program Brochure

Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Phone:  (405) 271-6588
Email the Office of Academic and Student Affairs

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
College of Allied Health
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
1200 N Stonewall Avenue, Room 3092
Oklahoma City, OK  73117-1215

 Click here to schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person prospective student appointment with one of our Advisors.

Click here to schedule a virtual or in-person recruitment event or presentation for your class, club, career fair, etc.

Students pursuing graduate degrees through the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences can simultaneously explore the wide variety of opportunities offered through the University of Oklahoma to enhance professional development, leadership, business innovation, and interprofessional collaboration.  Students can take advantage of these unique opportunities through formal certificate programs or through immersive experiences to build skill sets that will be highly marketable for future career opportunities in occupational therapy and physical therapy.  

Enhance Your Degree (more information about certificates and opportunities)

Prospective students are encouraged to review the Technical Standards which are the academic, clinical, and interpersonal aptitudes and abilities that allow OT and PT students to complete the professional curriculum.   Students are also encouraged to visit the prospective student's page to find resources such as the transfer equivalency tables, admission statistics, job shadowing, gpa calculation, tuition cost, scholarships, student life, campus resources, etc.

2024 Student Handbook