Entry-Level DPT Admission

Admission Deadlines

Applications will be accepted beginning July 15. The deadline to apply and submit all required documents is December 1. Applications submitted after December 1, will be reviewed provided space remains available in the entering class.

Application Process

The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science seeks applicants who will bring to the student body the qualities of scholarship, motivation, and commitment.

Required Pre-Requisite Courses

An applicant’s entire academic profile is evaluated during the admissions review; however, considerable emphasis is placed on grades earned in the following required courses. Prospective students may submit an application while enrolled in the pre-requisites, but all courses must be completed prior to starting the DPT program.

• Human Anatomy (with lab recommended, 4 semester credit hours). One course in Human Anatomy or the first course in the series of Anatomy and Physiology I&II. Anatomy content should include skeletal and muscular systems of the human body.
• Physiology (with lab recommended, 4 semester credit hours). One course in Physiology or the second course in the series of Anatomy and Physiology I&II. Physiology content should cover various systems including: cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, etc...
• Biology (4-8 semester hours) - In additional to Human Anatomy and Physiology listed above, one or two courses from the field of biology, not to include Botany).
• General Chemistry I (with lab 4 semester credit hours). Content must include atomic and molecular structure. This course should be the first in the Chemistry I & II series.
• General Chemistry II with lab (4 semester hours) - In addition to Chemistry I listed above. This course should be the second course in the Chemistry I&II series and must include a lab.
• General Physics I (with lab 4 semester credit hours). Non-calculus or calculus based.
• General Physics II (with lab 4 semester credit hours). Non-calculus or calculus based.
• Statistics (3-4 semester credit hours). Course content should include mean, median, mode, standard deviation, t-tests, etc...
• Psychology (3 semester credit hours). Abnormal or Developmental Psychology recommended.
• Human Behavior (3-6 semester hours) - In addition to Abnormal Psychology or Developmental Psychology listed above, one or two courses that include a knowledge of human behavior from an individual or societal perspective.

Application Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree - earned before enrolling in the DPT program.
   
• Exams - The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. Official score reports must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) - http://www.gre.org
  • University of Maryland Institution Code: 5848
  • PTRS Department Code: 0619
   
• Exams - The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if English is not your first or native language and if you have lived in the US for fewer than 5 years. - http://www.toefl.org. The minimum required TOEFL score is 213 - Computer-Based Exam;  80 - Internet-Based Exam.
  • University of Maryland Institution Code: 5848
  • PTRS Department Code: 48
   
• Recommendation Forms from:
  • A licensed physical therapist
  • A community service experience
  • An academic source
   
• Group Interview - applicants are selected for an interview based on overall strength of the documents submitted in support of the application. Interviews will be held on:
  • Wednesday, October 5, 2011
  • Wednesday, October 26, 2011
  • Wednesday, November 16, 2011
  • Wednesday, December 7, 2011
  • Wednesday, January 4, 2012
  • Friday, January 13, 2012
  • Wednesday, January 18, 2012
  • Wednesday, February 8, 2012
   
• Physical Therapy Experience - All applicants must complete a minimum of 100 hours observing the practice of physical therapy. The admissions committee strongly recommends that you complete as many hours as possible prior to submitting the application for admission. Applicants are encouraged to observe the practice of physical therapy in different clinical settings (acute care, rehab and out-patient).
   
• Community Service - Acceptable service includes participation in cultural and faith-based groups, college and university clubs or national, regional, state, or local organizations.
   
• CPR and Basic First Aid Certification - The CPR certification must include infant, child and adult resuscitation. Both CPR and First Aid must be complete prior to enrolling in the DPT program. Certifications earned via a web-based source are not acceptable.

Admission Review

The admissions committee review of applications will begin on July 15.

Early Provisional Acceptance (EPA)

The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science is interested in students who are exceptionally qualified for admission and who have selected the University of Maryland as their first choice. These students may ask for early acceptance by applying to the department under the Early Provisional Acceptance process. If admitted, during the EPA process, an applicant must agree to submit the $500 non-refundable tuition deposit by the required deadline and to withdraw all applications filed with other colleges.

A completed application includes all items listed above and must be submitted by October 1. An admissions decision will be made by December 1. EPA applicants must participate in the October Group Interview and should present the following academic profile:

• A minimum 3.5 GPA for the required pre-requisite courses.
• A minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA for all undergraduate coursework.
• GRE scores:
  • If exam taken BEFORE AUGUST 2011, a minimum score of 500 on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the exam. Minimum score of 4.5 on Analytical Writing.
  • If exam taken AUGUST 2011 or after, scores not less than the 50th percentile.
   

If you apply for but are not selected for Early Provisional Acceptance, your application will undergo a second review during the regular admission process.

Regular Admission

All other applicants may apply for the regular admission process. A completed application includes all items listed above and must be submitted no later than December 1.

If selected for Regular Admission, applicants will be required to submit a $500.00 non-refundable tuition deposit.

How to Apply for Admission

The Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science is participating in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Students seeking admission to the Entry-Level DPT program must apply via this service.

This endeavor is being promoted by the APTA in an effort to simplify the application process for all prospective physical therapy students. PTCAS is a web-based application and allows the prospective student to submit one application and distribute to multiple PT programs.

To apply for admission you must complete steps 1 through 4:

1. Submit the PTCAS application, and send:
   • - All official transcripts.
   • - Required recommendation forms.
   • - Documentation of PT observation hours.
2. Submit the University of Maryland Supplemental Form.
   
   When you access the on-line supplemental form click on:
   • - First Time User Account Creation. You will be instructed to create a User ID (Case sensitive) and PIN (Must be 6 numbers).
   • - Select DPT – ENTRY LEVEL as the Application Type 
3. Send your OFFICAL GRE score report to: University of Maryland Baltimore
   • - Institution Code: 5848; PTRS Department Code: 0619
4. Submit the Application for In-state Classification. (If you reside in Maryland this form will be used to determine if you are eligible for in-state tuition. If you do not submit this form you will be assessed out-of-state tuition.)