Degree Programs

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Application Process

Applications are considered for the session beginning in July only. The application deadline is December 1 for regular admission and October 1 for early admission. All application material must be submitted by the deadline. You may submit your application beginning July 15 for the class that begins the following July. It is in your best interest to apply as early as possible.

Application Material

Applications are submitted online through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). PTCAS allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT programs. Once your application portfolio is complete with PTCAS, it will be forwarded to The University of Iowa (UI).

Items submitted through PTCAS:

  • Online application
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Three letters of reference
    • One letter must be from a physical therapist
    • One letter must be from a faculty member in the applicant's major area of study
    • The third letter is the applicant's choice

Item submitted directly to the UI:

  • Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) report from the Educational Testing Service
    • UI School Code: 6681
    • UI PT Department Code: 0619

Interviews

The Physical Therapy Admissions Committee requires personal, on-campus interviews. Because the number of students admitted into each class is limited, not all who apply for admission are invited for an interview. Interviews are scheduled in November for early admission and in January for regular admission. Notification of acceptance is normally made by December 1 for early admission and by March 1 for regular admission.

Selection of Applicants

Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. The Physical Therapy Admissions Committee selects the applicants it considers best qualified for the study and practice of the profession from the pool of applicants who are interviewed.

Admission is based on course work, grade-point averages, GRE scores, experience and rationale, recommendations, and interviews. Some preference is given to residents of Iowa. A broad exposure to physical therapy in more than one clinical setting is recommended. A suggested minimum is 50-60 hours.

The 36 students selected have strong experiential backgrounds. The mean GPA of the entering class is generally around 3.60.

Admissions Timeline

Regular Admission

  • July 15 - Begin submission of online application through PTCAS
  • December 1 - Regular admission deadline
  • January - Regular admission interviews for selected applicants
  • Early March - Notification of regular admission
  • July - DPT Program begins

Early Admission

  • July 15 - Begin submission of online application through PTCAS
  • October 1 - Early admission deadline
  • Early November - Early admission interviews for selected applicants
  • December 1 - Notification of early admission
  • July - DPT Program begins

For additional information about The University of Iowa, you may also visit the UI General Catalog. Or, Call us toll free at 1-800/553-IOWA

Or, you may contact us at either:

Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
1-252 Medical Education Building
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1190
Phone: 319-335-9791
Fax: 319-335-9707
E-mail: physical-therapy@uiowa.edu
Office of Admissions
115 Calvin Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
319/335-1525