https://alliedhealth.ouhsc.edu/Academics-Programs Parent Page: Academics & Programs id: 35326 Active Page: Doctor of Physical Therapy id: 35756 Portal ID: 244

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, housed within the Department of Rehabiltiation Sciences, prepares students to promote optimal health, prevent disability, and restore physical function to support a fulfilling and active life.

Physical therapists provide services in diverse settings including homes, schools, workplaces, outpatient clinics, and hospitals and work with individuals across the lifespan. In addition to direct patient care, physical therapists contribute to the development of innovative interventions that address emerging health needs, including programs focused on health promotion and disability prevention.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the national licensure exam and begin practice in this dynamic and impactful field.

How Long to Complete the Program?

3 years

Median Salary

$79,220

(Source: Industry and Occupational Employment Projections)

Average GPA of Admitted Class

3.82

Curriculum

The DPT program consists of 108 credit hours designed to provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills to thrive in the profession.

Course Requirements

Year 1

Summer Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Anatomy 
AHS 8415 
5 
Concepts in Rehabilitation Sciences 
PHTH 8002 
2 

Fall Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Fundamentals of Physical Therapy 
PHTH 8112 
2 
Principles of Human Movement 
PHTH 8034 
4 
Evidence-Based Practice 
PHTH 8152 
2 
Clinical Process 
PHTH 8153 
3 
Exercise Science I 
PHTH 8192 
2 
Orthopedic Concepts and Management of Upper Extremity Dysfunction 
PHTH 8274 
4 

Spring Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Neuroscience 
AHS 8274 
4 
Orthopedic Management of Lower Extremities 
PHTH 8114 
4 
Differential Diagnosis 
PHTH 8313 
3 
Pathology 
AHS 8433 
3 
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription 
PHTH 8074 
4 

Year 2

Summer Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Movement Science I 
PHTH 8393 
3 
Clinical Education I 
PHTH 8362 
2 
Behavioral Science 
PHTH 9112 
2 
Interprofessional Case Management 
PHTH 9391 
1 

Fall Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Pharmacology 
AHS 8112 
2 
Neurorehabilitation for Children 
PHTH 8154 
4 
Teaching in Practice 
PHTH 8332 
2 
Rehabilitation for Progressive Neurological Conditions in Adults 
PHTH 8122 
2 
Orthopedic Management Axial Skeleton 
PHTH 8214 
4 

Spring Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Integrated Management of Complex Orthopedic Problems 
PHTH 8303 
3 
Neurorehabilitation for Adults 
PHTH 8234 
4 
Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapy I 
PHTH 8282 
2 
Aging Considerations for Physical Therapy Practice  
PHTH 8272 
2 
Clinical Practice Management I 
PHTH 8352 
2 
Assistive Technology 
PHTH 8292 
2 
Measurement in Clinical Practice 
PHTH 8172 
2 
Effective Management of Environmental Activities  
in Athletic & Community Settings 
PHTH 8371 
1 

Year 3

Summer Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
PT Management for Sports & Recreation 
PHTH 9014 
4 
Clinical Practice Management II 
PHTH 8372 
2 
Clinical Education II 
PHTH 8383 
3 

Fall Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Clinical Education III 
PHTH 9124 
4 
Community Assessment/Planning 
PHTH 9132 
2 
Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapy II 
PHTH 9152 
2 
Complex Medical Problems 
PHTH 9173 
3 

Spring Semester

COURSE NAME 
COURSE NUMBER 
CREDIT HOURS 
Clinical Education IV 
PHTH 9224 
4 
Topics in Physical Therapy 
PHTH 9432 
2 

Admission Requirements

Prospective students are encouraged to review the program's Technical Standards to ensure they understand the skills and abilities needed to successfully engage in the curriculum.

To be eligible for admission to the DPT program, applicants must have met the following requirements: 

  • Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program 
  • Maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.75 science GPA as calculated by PTCAS. Note that the university does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs 
  • Completed the required prerequisite coursework with a ‘C’ or higher prior to enrollment in the program. 

Applicants to the DPT program will need to complete an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)  and the OU Health Campus to be considered. 

If after reviewing the qualifications for the program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences. 

Prerequisite Requirements 

OU Course Number 
Course Title 
Credit Hours 
PSY 2603 
Developmental Psychology 
3 
CHEM 1315 
General Chemistry I and Lab 
4-5 
BIOL 2234 or 2255 
Human Anatomy 
4-5 
BIOL 2124 
Human Physiology 
4 
BIOL 1005 or 1124 
Concepts in Biology or Intro Biol: Molecule/Cell/Phys 
4-5 
PHYS 2414 
Physics I for Life Science Majors 
4 
PHYS 2424 
Physics II for Life Science Majors 
4 
COMM 2513, ECON 2843, PSY 2113, 
or PSY 2003 
Understanding Statistics 
3 

Program Details

Location Offered

Oklahoma City, Tulsa

Degree Acquired

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Application Window

OU Health Campus Opens: July 15th
PTCAS Opens: June 16th
Rolling Decisions Review Start: October 1st
Closes: February 15th

Admissions

Have questions about the admissions requirements? We're here to help you navigate the process.

Tuition and Aid

Need help with tuition and financial aid? We're here to help you explore your options and support you through the process.

Accreditation

The OU Program in Physical Therapy has a long history of being fully accredited since 1955. Our current accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education expires 6/30/2035, and we will undergo a normal 10-year periodic review in Fall 2034.

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@ou.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).

The program follows the University’s established grievance procedures. Information regarding student grievances and the process for filing a complaint with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is available here.

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.

CAPTE Required Public Disclosure of Student Outcomes: 

  • Graduation Rate: 96.4% (two-year average as calculated in the 2025 CAPTE Annual Accreditation Report using 2024 and 2025 graduates)
  • Licensure Examination Pass Rate (reflecting graduate performance in 2024 & 2025): 131 students attempted the national licensure exam with a 93.9% 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 2023-2024 graduates): 97%
     

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