Overview
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program at the University of Vermont (UVM) consists of 102 graduate credits offered in a 2.5-year full-time program format, over 8 semesters inclusive of summers, that leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The program is well recognized for preparing D.P.T graduates as primary care movement system experts who translate evidence into contemporary best practice. Graduates advocate to improve health outcomes and well-being at the individual and community level.
The movement system is the foundation of the curriculum design. Organized in a systems-based model, the curriculum integrates the basic and clinical sciences across the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular/pulmonary, integumentary and endocrine systems to facilitate student ability to develop as movement system experts. Additionally, the study of evidenced based practice, leadership and professional formation, health policy, business management, and social responsibility shape the students’ professional role and identity as a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Students engage in an array of active learning experiences with multiple opportunities for interprofessional education and community engagement. Integrated clinical experiences and 32 weeks of full time clinical internships broaden student professional preparation. Internships are offered throughout the U.S. in a variety of specialty areas and settings and assignments are based on students' educational needs and clinical site availability. Students are responsible for all costs associated with clinical internships.
Exceptional faculty role model clinical and research expertise across each of the specialty areas of physical therapist practice to facilitate student development as movement system experts.
Program Mission and Vision
The UVM DPT program mission is to prepare D.P.T. graduates to lead and collaborate in the quest of promoting the health of individuals, communities and society through movement and exercise in order to optimize function, activity, and participation across environments. UVM graduates are movement system experts who provide ethical, evidence- based, client-centered services in a culturally sensitive manner as they serve society to enhance quality of life. Graduates are decision makers in the primary care team who have a clear understanding of the importance of lifelong learning that will support their client, patient and professional needs. The program's vision is to be recognized for leadership in its contribution to the creation, advancement, and dissemination of translational research while striving toward excellence to educate D.P.T. scholars who collaborate to "transform society by optimizing movement," and promote individual and population health of our communities and society.
Professional Licensure
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national licensure examination administered through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Accreditation
The DPT program at UVM is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy
Applicants must complete the prerequisite course requirements and a baccalaureate degree in any major from UVM or any accredited institution. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree from institutions outside the U.S. will also be considered.
Applicants to the D.P.T. program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in their undergraduate studies. All applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher prior to entry into the DPT program:
- 2 semesters of anatomy/physiology with labs
- 2 semesters of college chemistry with labs
- 2 semesters of physics with labs
- 2 semesters of biology (not botany or zoology)
- 1 semester of psychology
- 1 semester of statistics
Application Process
All Applicants must complete the Common Application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), a division of the American Physical Therapy Association. Follow all instructions on the site. Application materials should be submitted directly to PTCAS and must include:
- 3 letters of recommendation, one of which must come from an academic faculty member
- Official Transcript(s) from all U.S. and Canadian schools attended. PTCAS and the UVM D.P.T. program accept prerequisite credits from accredited institutions only. For international applicants, transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an official service
Complete the supplemental UVM Graduate College Application form. Include the following information:
- In the Statement of Purpose section, upload a document that reads: "See essay on the PTCAS application"
- Application Fee
- Note: No transcripts, letters of recommendation or other materials submitted in the PTCAS application need to be submitted to the University of Vermont.
-
If applying to the combined DPT/PhD in Neuroscience program select the DPT/NGP option on the supplemental application. See website for details.
Minimum Degree Requirements
The UVM D.P.T. program requires successful completion of 102 graduate credits.
Curriculum for Class of 2027:
| YEAR ONE | ||
| SUMMER | ||
| ANNB 6000 | Human Gross Anatomy | 6 |
| FALL | ||
| DPT 7050 | Clinical Medicine | 4 |
| DPT 7060 | Exercise Science | 3 |
| DPT 7100 | Fundamentals of Clinical Pract | 3 |
| DPT 7110 | Movement System I | 3 |
| DPT 7140 | Clinical Reasoning | 2 |
| DPT 7150 | Psychsoc Aspcts Hlth Wellbeing | 3 |
| SPRING | ||
| NSCI 6020 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| DPT 7070 | Pharmacology and Nutrition | 2 |
| DPT 7080 | Fundamentals Critical Inquiry | 3 |
| DPT 7090 | Foundations of Imaging for PT | 1 |
| DPT 7120 | Movement System II | 3 |
| DPT 7200 | Musculoskeletal Management I | 4 |
| DPT 7500 | Professional Form/Leadershp I | 2 |
| DPT 7090 | Foundations of Imaging for PT | 1 |
| YEAR TWO | ||
| SUMMER | ||
| DPT 7210 | Musculoskeletal Management II | 4 |
| DPT 7230 | Neurological Management I | 3 |
| DPT 7260 | Cardiovasc and Pulmonary Mgt | 4 |
| DPT 7930 | Doctoral Research Project I | 2 |
| FALL | ||
| DPT 7220 | Musculoskeletal Management III | 4 |
| DPT 7240 | Neurological Management II | 3 |
| DPT 7270 | Integmnt, Endocrine, Multi Sys | 3 |
| DPT 7510 | Prof Formation/Leadrshp II-ICE | 2 |
| DPT 7600 | Clinical Edu Experience I | 3 |
| SPRING | ||
| DPT 7030 | Health Policy & Business Mgmt | 3 |
| DPT 7040 | Health Sys IV-Health Promotion | 3 |
| DPT 7160 | Rehabilitation Technology | 3 |
| DPT 7250 | Neurological Management III | 4 |
| DPT 7520 | Prof Formatn/Leadrshp III-ICE | 2 |
| YEAR THREE | ||
| SUMMER | ||
| DPT 7130 | Movement System III | 3 |
| DPT 7610 | Clinical Edu Experience IIA | 3 |
| DPT 7990 | Special Topics | 2 |
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| FALL | ||
| DPT 7620 | Clinical Edu Experience IIB | 3 |
| DPT 7630 | Clinical Edu Experience III | 6 |
Students must also:
- Pass all clinical internships and clinical education coursework expectations during their clinical experience and receive no more than one U grade in a clinical education course (that was successfully retaken for a S grade)
- Illustrate evidence of professional behaviors commensurate with professional doctoral practice in physical therapy
Limited Waiver Option
The DPT program faculty, under special circumstances, may allow a waiver of up to 6 credits based on prior knowledge. A course waiver form inclusive of prior knowledge supporting documentation must be submitted to the Chair of the DPT Curriculum Committee and Program Director (PD) at least 2 weeks prior to the semester where the potentially waived course is offered. The DPT Curriculum Committee will review all requests for recommendation to the PD. Students will receive notification of decision in writing and the Graduate College will be notified when a waiver has been approved.. The student assumes responsibility for all content of any approved course waiver.
Comprehensive Examination
Students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination as part of their graduate program upon the conclusion of the didactic coursework. The comprehensive examination for the DPT program will consist of a multiple-choice exam and focuses on the student’s mastery of foundational knowledge, clinical applicability, and practice. Should students not pass the comprehensive examination, they will have 1 additional opportunity to remediate and provide evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes of the comprehensive examination prior to being able to graduate from the program.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy
Successful completion of all graded graduate credits with a 3.00 GPA or better, received no more than 2 passing course grades below a B, and passed the comprehensive examination.