School of Physical Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  for the Professional (Entry-level) DPT Program

Does Texas Woman's University (TWU) offer a bachelor's degree in physical therapy?
No, TWU School of Physical Therapy offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. TWU does award bachelor's degrees in biology, psychology, kinesiology, health studies, child development, and nutrition that prepare the student to apply to the Graduate program in Physical Therapy. These degree plans include the required prerequisite courses for physical therapy.

Additionally, TWU in Denton offers Fast Track option in Human Biology, Kinesiology and Psychology that allows you to apply to the professional (entry-level) DPT program in Physical Therapy while in your junior year at TWU. If accepted to the DPT program, you would be able to complete both your
Bachelor's degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in a total of six years instead of seven.

Do I have to major in either biology or human biology to get a DPT degree in physical therapy?
No, you may complete the undergraduate degree in any major. Requirements for the physical therapy professional DPT degree are a baccalaureate degree and the program prerequisites.

Can I transfer to TWU?
If you have graduated from a baccalaureate program already, and have completed all your prerequisites, you need to only apply to our program. If you are enrolled at a community college, you can transfer to TWU to complete your baccalaureate degree and then apply to our program. If you are a freshmen or sophomore student at another school, you may transfer to TWU in Denton to complete your baccalaureate degree in a related field and then apply to the physical therapy program.

Are female applicants given priority for admission over male applicants?
No. The Admissions Committee does not note the gender of applicants when making selections.

What is the deadline for submitting an application?
September 1 for early acceptance
All application materials must be received by September 1st.  Highly qualified applicants may receive an offer of early acceptance by October 31, 2008.  Applications not receiving an offer could be placed in the pool for the second round of consideration.
                  
November 1 is the final deadline for receipt of supporting materials and consideration for the following year’s class.

The ideal time to apply is July through September (a year in advance). Our classes fill by mid-December. Please allow sufficient time for processing your application. A suggested deadline is October 15th since all materials need to arrive before November 1st.  Note that it takes approximately 3 weeks for GRE scores to arrive from the testing center.

What is considered a completed application and whom should I contact regarding the status of my application?
See Application Procedure

Please contact Mary Beth Daugherty, School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425766, Denton, TX 76204-5766; phone: 940/898-2460; fax: 940/898-2853, email mdaugherty@twu.edu for application status.

How long is the program and when does it begin?
The program is a 33 month full time program (8 continuing semesters). Students are in class, full time, for the full calendar year. Both the Dallas program and the Houston program begin at the end August.(fall semester)

How many applicants do you accept a year?
Approximately 95 applicants per year are accepted into the entry-level program in physical therapy. Forty-five are selected for the Dallas Center and 50 are selected for the Houston Center.

When must prerequisite courses be completed?
Prerequisites do not have to be completed at the application deadline, but all prerequisite courses must be completed, with grades of C or above, before you begin the physical therapy program.

How can I take the medical terminology requirement if such a course is not offered in my area?

Medical Terminology Options for Prerequisite Requirement

1. Take a university credit course in medical terminology; no required number of credit hours, e.g., PT 2002 at TWU (on site) or HS 3033 at TWU (Internet).

2. Take a correspondence medical terminology course. Options include:

        Texas State University Correspondence Studies
        1-800-511-8656
        http://www.studyanywhere.txstate.edu/correspondence_studies


3. Take a university course, which includes a section on medical terminology and send us the course catalog description or syllabus showing med term coverage.

4. Take a hospital-based course on medical terminology; usually a certificate is given upon course completion.

5. Complete a web-based program, e.g.,

    http://terminology.thevlc.com/pricing.html Expert course with certificate.

    www.bytesizelearning.com/medspeak.htm

    http://webbycyberclasses.learnhub.net/do/portal (Advanced Course only)

    http://home.universalclass.com/i/crn/6003.htm (Take Medical Terminology Part 2)

A certificate will need to be submitted as proof of completion of a web-based course in medical terminology. If a certificate is not available, then submit a copy of your final exam.

Does Human Anatomy and Physiology "101" meet the human physiology requirement?
One course in anatomy and physiology at a freshman or sophomore level will not meet this requirement. The human physiology required for this program may be:
an upper level human, animal, mammalian or vertebrate physiology course with lab, OR two semesters of anatomy and physiology with lab, OR one semester of anatomy and physiology with lab plus one semester of exercise physiology.

What statistics course do I need?
A statistics course from most departments is acceptable. A statistics course in a psychology program is most applicable for use by a physical therapist.

Is anatomy a prerequisite?
Anatomy is a recommended prerequisite. One semester of human anatomy with lab may assist the student to succeed in the PT anatomy course. One of our faculty, Dr. Bill Bartlett, offers an online anatomy course every spring semester for Dallas students and summer semester for Houston students that can be taken to fulfill this requirement. Please contact our office for further information.

Where can I take my prerequisites?
You can take your prerequisites at any accredited university or college. You must make sure, however, that you are taking the appropriate course and that it will transfer as the desired prerequisite.

Can I take prerequisites at a community college?
Yes, prerequisites may be taken at a community college.

How old may prerequisites be?
Students who graduated many years ago apply to the program. We suggest prerequisites, especially human physiology, be taken within the last 3 years. Statistics is required to be within the last 10 years.

How can I determine which completed courses will count as prerequisites?
Send your request for a transcript evaluation, together with copies of your transcripts to:

School of Physical Therapy
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY
P.O. Box 425766
Denton, TX 76204-5766
Phone: (940) 898-2460
Fax: (940) 898-2853
mdaugherty@mail.twu.edu

You may do this prior to officially applying and transcripts may be unofficial for the evaluation. Be sure to include your current email address or mailing address for a prompt reply.

Can another course substitute for a course prerequisite?
Students often want to determine if a particular course or courses will substitute for one of our prerequisites. If you are unable to take a certain prerequisite because it is not offered or the class was cancelled then you should contact our office and we will help you determine courses which might substitute. Any prerequisite can be appealed to the Admissions Committee by submitting the request with the official course description and a syllabus may be needed in some cases.

Can the PT professional (entry-level) DPT program be completed on a part-time basis?
No, the program is designed for full-time study. Prerequisites may be taken on a part-time basis, but the PT professional (entry-level) DPT program is full time, full calendar year; i.e., fall, spring and summer sessions.

When will I know if I have been accepted?
Once the application is complete, it is forwarded to the Admissions Committee for an admissions decision. Applicants could be emailed for missing items. A select number of applicants will be notified soon after application materials are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The majority of the class will be chosen by December. Accepted Students are notified by phone and also by mail. Once the classes are full, applicants may be placed on the alternate list. Alternates will be notified by mail in January. We do continue to accept applications all year but once the classes are full, positions will only be offered if an accepted student declines before the program begins. Each campus could have over 60 alternates and many will not receive an offer. If an applicant reapplies the following year, the committee expects to see an improvement in the file.

When do I come for an interview?
The School of Physical Therapy at TWU does not require interviews for admission. However, applicants are invited to open houses at both the Dallas and Houston centers. At the open houses you will have the opportunity to interact in small group sessions with current students, faculty and local clinicians. You can also schedule an appointment for an individual meeting and/or tour.

How many hours of volunteer service do I need for the DPT Program?
We recommend that you have a minimum of 20 hours with two different patient populations (40 hours total) of observational/volunteer/work experience under two different therapists. The therapists then complete an Applicant Recommendation Form

Does my recommendation have to be from a physical therapist?
Yes. You are now required to have (3) completed "Applicant Recommendation Forms"; two forms filled out by two licensed physical therapists in the US from two different facilities after 20 hours of observation and one by a supervisor, professor or employer at another facility. The third recommender does not necessarily need to be from the PT field but they fill out the same form as best as possible. They may include an additional letter if they wish. Note the recommendation form has been updated. Please use new version for future recommendations. The old version will be accepted if already completed.

Is campus housing available?
Campus housing is not available at the Dallas or Houston Center. Many apartments are available close to the campus.

What is the deadline for GRE scores?
There is no strict deadline but remember that GRE scores must be received to have a completed application. Your file will be reviewed for an admission decision as soon as your file is complete. However, we recommend that your scores be received prior to November 1. Scores do take approximately 3 weeks to arrive from the testing center. TWU may have trouble matching up your scores if you choose to create an ID instead of using your social security number.

What scores do you expect to see in a qualified applicant?
We review the GPA of the last 60 hours completed, the overall math/science GPA and GRE scores. We expect a 3.0 on the last 60 hours, and we then consider math/science
GPA and GRE along with your overall application. Applicants often ask for the average of the previous class, but remember that students above and below those averages are accepted. You must have at least a 3.0 on your last 60 hours.

Are there additional requirements for foreign students?
Yes. Foreign applicants must take the TOEFL and the TSE, and have foreign transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalencies by TWU Office of International Education (420 Administration Drive Room 106, Denton, TX 76204, phone 940-898-3048) or an equivalent foreign evaluation service. The minimum acceptable TOEFL iBT scores are Reading 21, Listening 18, Speaking 26, and Writing 24. Also, applicants from foreign countries need to be sure their "Applicant Recommendation Forms" are completed by physical therapists who have graduated from an accredited physical therapy entry-level educational program in the United States.

When should I take first aid and CPR training?
No later than the semester before you enter the program, because you must present current certificates at enrollment. The first aid and CPR certificates are required throughout the program, so once your certificate expires you will have to retake the course in order to become re-certified. CPR training must include infant, child and adult certification and it must include hands on training.

What is the cost of tuition for the program?
The approximate total tuition and fees for the entire 8 semester program is $26,000 for residents and $53,500 for non-residents (based on 2008-2009 tuition and fee rates).
Books/ supplies cost an estimated $500-1000/ semester. On campus housing is not available on either the Houston or Dallas campuses.

Does the program length include clinical internships?
Yes. Clinical contact is interspersed throughout the curriculum, beginning with the first semester. Clinical education is a very important part of our program. Students will participate in two internships their second year, and two internships their third year for a total of 32 weeks of full-time clinical experience. Additional expenses for clinical travel and room and board may be incurred during this time.

Where are the clinical internships?
Students are assigned to clinics approved by the School of Physical Therapy both within the State of Texas as well as many other states throughout the U.S. All students should plan on at least one clinical internship outside of commuting distance of the School.

What is the cost of the clinical internships?
Students pay tuition for courses that are the internships. In addition, students are responsible for transportation to and from the internship facility and for living expenses while on the internship. Students need to understand that they will have these additional expenses and must plan their finances accordingly. The clinical facilities that TWU utilizes are specially selected and must meet certain criteria in order for us to send a student to the facility. These are quality programs with excellent instructors.

What type of supervision is given by the School of Physical Therapy at the internships?
The School of Physical Therapy has Directors of Clinical Education (DEC's) who work with the clinical facilities in placing students. These faculty members also monitor the activities and progress of the students on internships. The DEC's are responsible for the direction and training of the clinical instructors at the internship site. Students will be assigned to a physical therapist clinical instructor who is employed at the internship site.