Doctor of Physical Therapy – URI FAQs
FAQs
- Acceptance
- Application
- Curriculum
- Early Contingent Admission
- Expenses
- General
- Housing
- Interview
- Retention, Licensure, and Employment
Acceptance
How will I be informed if I am accepted into the program?
Students who are formally accepted into the URI DPT program will receive an email informing him/her of acceptance from our program and the Graduate School.
How do I reserve my spot in the DPT program?
Upon acceptance, you will be required to submit a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 within ten days. If you choose to attend URI, this deposit will be applied toward your tuition.
What do I do if I am accepted into multiple DPT programs and have not yet decided which program I want to attend?
This is a common situation for many applicants. It is your choice to accept and hold seats with as many programs as you like until you make a decision. Once you make a commitment and matriculate into a program, PTCAS traffic rules ask that you inform all other programs and withdraw your seat from those schools.
If I am not accepted into the URI DPT program, how and when will I be informed?
Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria for acceptance will be informed once such a decision has been made. Applicants who are not offered an on-campus interview will be informed earlier in the year e.g. January or February. Applicants who take part in a formal interview and are not offered a seat in the DPT program are not notified in any manner until the program is absolutely certain that the incoming class has been filled. The DPT program will not provide any ranking to students who are waiting for accepted applicants to withdraw or not accept their seat.
Does the URI DPT program require a criminal background check?
A criminal background check is required for post-acceptance students. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from enrolling in a PT program; however, failure to disclose any past or pending charges may be grounds for dismissal. The program may require additional criminal background checks and/or drug tests in order to verify an individual’s suitability to participate in experiential education rotations, to confirm a student’s eligibility for licensure to ensure patient safety.
Application
How can I apply to the doctorate of physical therapy program?
Visit the Admission/Application section of this website for information on getting started. The application deadline for a DPT class entering in a given year is in October of the preceding year. All application materials need to be submitted through PTCAS.
Is there a supplemental application fee?
Yes, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School requires a supplemental application fee of $65. There is a link in the program materials quadrant in PTCAS. This fee must be processed before the DPT program can review your application.
Do I have to wait until after I complete my undergraduate degree program before applying?
No. About half of our applicants apply during the fall of their final undergraduate year, and the other half have already graduated at the time of application. However, admission will only be granted upon the contingency of completing all prerequisite requirements prior to matriculation into the program.
Is there a minimum GPA required to be accepted into the DPT program?
Yes, the URI DPT program separates the GPAs into the last 60 credits and the prerequisite courses: each must be 3.2 or higher.
If a prerequisite course is repeated, which grade is considered?
If a course is repeated, we calculate GPA using the higher grade.
How many hours of observation do I need?
30 hours of observation are required. Applicants are encouraged to observe in more than one physical therapy setting. Respectfully contact physical therapy clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes), and other healthcare settings in your area to find observation opportunities.
Is there a minimum requirement of prerequisites to be completed in the admissions cycle?
Applicants are required to have 9 of the 12 prerequisite courses completed by December of the admissions cycle. Prerequisites must be completed with a C or better and applicants must maintain the 3.2 GPA requirement for the prerequisites.
Is it possible to take a pre-requisite course after the DPT program has commenced?
No, all prerequisite courses need to be done before you start. Offers of admission are contingent on completing the prerequisites.
I am having difficulty finding a Human Anatomy and/or a Human Physiology course. Can you provide additional information on what is acceptable?
The Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses need to be with labs. Often these are either separate courses, or are combined to form Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy and Physiology 2. Applicants cannot mix the format from the first course taken to the second. For example, if you have taken a Human Anatomy course, you must take a Human Physiology course; or if you have taken Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, you must take Human Anatomy and Physiology 2.
Will any two Chemistry courses or any two Physics courses suffice?
The Chemistry and Physics courses need to be lab courses that are designed for science majors, and need to include an introduction and second level course. Often these are offered as Physics 1 and Physics 2; General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 2. Many applicants have taken Introduction to Chemistry and Organic Chemistry which also satisfies the chemistry requirement.
Will any two Psychology courses suffice?
As with the Chemistry and Physics requirement, an introductory and an upper level psychology content course are required. Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Social, Adolescent, and Experimental Psychology are examples of upper level psychology content courses. Please note: Statistics offered by a Psychology Department does not count as a content course in Psychology. Other courses offered with ‘psychology’ in the title but offered by a non-Psychology Department (Sports Psychology offered by an Exercise Science Department) are considered on a case-by-case basis.
I’m applying and have AP credit for a prerequisite course; will you accept these credits?
Yes, we accept AP credit if your college/university transcript has given you credit on your transcript for a specific course. It must be on your transcript, and you must have received credit for the specific course (e.g., Math 110 – AP credit) and not accepted it as elective credits. You must have scored a 4 or a 5 on the AP exam for the course to be accepted. A maximum of 8 credits of prerequisite courses are allowed. The applicant is responsible for providing all necessary documentation.
Does it help to be a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) first?
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs are NOT considered to be a stepping-stone to a professional physical therapist (PT) program. The PTA curriculum differs from that of the physical therapist and does NOT provide the needed prerequisites required for a physical therapist education.
How many years back will you accept courses on a transcript?
The prerequisite courses must have been taken in the last 10 years to be acceptable.
Do you accept transfer courses in the DPT curriculum that can count toward the total of 110 credits?
While it is possible for an applicant to have taken coursework that is comparable to coursework in the University of Rhode Island DPT curriculum, it is extremely rare for this to occur due to the timing, depth, and content presentation of our curriculum. Those who would like to transfer courses into the DPT curriculum should prepare a document cross-matching content from the previous course to a specific URI DPT course and be prepared to justify any potential transfer. Transfer credit is not considered for partial courses.
How do I know if a course I took will be accepted?
In determining if a course is acceptable as a prerequisite, please look closely at the descriptions provided for the prerequisites. College level, undergraduate courses meet the associated prerequisites, although the science courses must be designed for science majors and include a lab. Advanced Placement credit is acceptable as long as, on the transcript, credit is given for a specific course at the home college/university. You must have scored a 4 or a 5 on the AP exam for the course to be accepted. A maximum of 8 credits of prerequisite courses are allowed. Coursework older than 10 years is not acceptable for prerequisites. If you still have a question about coursework acceptability, please contact the Admissions Committee Chair.
Do you require letters of recommendation?
Yes, two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from a licensed physical therapist. The other letter should be from someone who knows you well and can speak to your maturity, dependability, dedication, compassion, communication skills, leadership, and any hands-on experience in the field.
Curriculum
When does the program start?
The program begins in June. The Summer Schedule consists of PHT 505 Introduction to the Profession, PHT 500 Anatomy, and PHT 501 Applied Anatomy.
How long is the program?
Students starting in summer 2024 will start a 2.5-year curriculum. This is divided into eight semesters, for a total of 110 credit hours. The first two years comprise mostly of didactic coursework on-campus, with integrated clinical experiences (ICE) throughout. Year three consists solely of clinical internships.
Are there research opportunities within the program?
Yes, DPT faculty members are engaged in contemporary research and supervise DPT students involved in research. Students complete a total of four semesters of Evidence Based Inquiry with faculty mentors. This work culminates in a presentation to faculty and peers and may ultimately lead to a regional or national presentation or published paper.
How is Anatomy taught at URI?
In the URI DPT program, gross anatomy is taught with hands-on experience. The program has a human anatomy cadaver lab which is supervised by one of the faculty members. A variety of the courses in the curriculum integrate the use of the gross anatomy lab for learning purposes. Students in the DPT program do engage in dissection.
Early Contingent Admission
For University of Rhode Island students, ECA is a second route to admission in our DPT Program. The Departments of Biology and Kinesiology offer an accelerated undergraduate curriculum that allows students to complete undergraduate degree requirements and DPT prerequisites in 3 years. For information on this option, please contact Dr. Matthew Delmonico in the Kinesiology Department (delmonico@uri.edu). Please note: ECA applicants must complete both the PTCAS and URI Graduate School applications, and admission is not guaranteed.
Expenses
How much does it cost to attend the University of Rhode Island’s DPT Program?
The most updated information on tuition, fees, and available financial aid can be found at https://web.uri.edu/physical-therapy/admission/physical-therapy-school-costs/.
What financial assistance opportunities are available to DPT students through URI?
The Physical Therapy Department has a limited number of graduate assistantships. Most assistantships are offered to students during year two of the Program. These positions require 10 hours/week, and cover 50% of tuition and provide a small stipend. In general, the graduate assistants help faculty with a course or support other important departmental activities (e.g. admissions, clinical education). In an effort to provide support to as many students as possible, assistantships are not typically awarded to the same individual for more than one occasion. There are undergraduate teaching assistant positions available through other departments at URI. Limited scholarships are also available.
General Questions
Is the University of Rhode Island’s (URI’s) DPT program accredited?
The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In 2016, the program was accredited for the maximum length of time allowed – ten years. The next update will be reported in the spring of 2026 by CAPTE.
What is the best undergraduate degree to have?
You are not required to select a particular major in order to be eligible for admission to the PT program. The most common undergraduate majors among PT students include exercise science, biology, kinesiology, and psychology. In selecting a college major, consider how you will satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses for your designated physical therapist program in addition to the college/university’s degree and major requirements.
How many students are accepted each year?
From a pool of approximately 400 applicants, the program accepts 30-32 students annually. The Program strives to accept a diverse class of qualified students.
What are the mean GPA scores for students entering the program?
GPAs are considered in two ways: GPA in the prerequisite courses and GPA in the last 60 credit hours. The average for both of these GPAs for classes entering the DPT Program is approximately a 3.7/4.0.
If I attended URI as an undergraduate student, does that improve my chances of being accepted in the DPT program at URI?
Attending URI as an undergraduate student does not provide any special privileges to an applicant. All applications are viewed objectively and on the merits of the overall preparation of the applicant.
If I am a Rhode Island resident, does that improve my chances of being accepted in the DPT program at URI?
Given that URI is a state-supported school, Rhode Islanders have an advantage in the application process when viewed in the context of the objective consideration given all applicants.
What other factors play a role in the Admissions process?
In addition to the two GPA scores previously described, factors in the Admissions process include:
- Diversity
- Military Service
- URI Graduate
- Rhode Island Residency
- First Generation College Student
What types of leadership / service opportunities are available in the URI DPT program?
An attitude of leadership and service is cultivated in URI’s DPT program with many opportunities to become involved within the department and community. Near the beginning of the 1st year, one student from the class is selected as the class president. This individual acts as a liaison for administrative matters between the class and the faculty. In addition, each 2nd year student is paired with a 1st year student to form a mentor / mentee partnership.
Students are encouraged and supported in their involvement in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at both state and national levels. As members, there are many opportunities to get involved in leadership within the organization. Furthermore, each year there is an opportunity for students to lead and participate in two regular community programs: Parkinson’s Exercise Group, and TJQMBB: Tai Ji Quan Moving for Better Balance. These programs are long-standing and have solid participant groups. Other service opportunities include (but are not limited to) Special Olympics, interview days, leadership projects, Pre-PT Club, high school group visits, PT Day of Service, and volunteering in the URI PT Clinic.
How can I confirm if one of my classes will be approved as a pre-requisite for admission to the URI DPT program?
Our URI DPT Admissions web-page outlines the required pre-requisite courses for application and acceptance. Additionally, the PTCAS webpage has a “Program Profile” that more specifically describes acceptable courses and their descriptions. If you remain unsure, please email Jane Schmitz at janes@uri.edu and include where the course was taken, the course title, course number, course description, and course objectives. in your query.
Housing
Is on-campus housing available?
Yes, Graduate housing is available.
Once applicants have been accepted, a Facebook page is created for the incoming class on which students can make housing/roommate connections.
Interview
When are applications reviewed? Is an interview required?
The initial review process begins immediately after PTCAS has verified an application. 4-6 weeks after the application deadline the Admissions Committee will formally review all candidates. Our most highly qualified applicants will receive an invitation to attend an interview via Zoom between mid-December through early January.
What should I expect at the interview?
Interviews are an opportunity for candidates to meet the DPT faculty as well as current students, and have a chance to express their interest in URI and the PT profession. During the interview, candidates will receive an overview of the program from our Department Chair and learn about our integrated clinical experiences and clinical year internships from the Director of Clinical Education. Applicants may be rated on their oral communication skills, professional behaviors and attitudes, knowledge of the profession, ability to solve problems, and motivation to pursue a career in physical therapy.
Retention, Licensure, and Employment
What is the University of Rhode Island’s DPT Program graduation rate?
Approximately 95% of students entering our program graduate with their DPT degree. Students occasionally leave due to academic concerns, but most who leave do so for personal reasons.
What is the percentage of students that procure a job within 6 months of graduation?
100% of our students secure a job within 6 months of graduation. Many students are offered jobs prior to graduating.
What is the licensure pass rate for the URI DPT students?
The ultimate pass rate for URI students over the past five years has been 100%.