The Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program prepares physical therapists who are skilled, compassionate, and evidence-based clinicians; passionate in their pursuit of knowledge and professional development; and servant leaders to their community and profession. The program is 24 months in length and includes a blend of online coursework (synchronous and asynchronous) comprising 50% of the curriculum, 8 onsite lab immersion sessions in Waco, Texas comprising 20% of the curriculum, and 31 weeks of clinical education comprising 30% of the program. The core curriculum of foundational science, clinical science, and patient and practice management courses is delivered in a hybrid learning environment,  integrates clinical reasoning and critical psychomotor skill development during onsite lab immersion sessions, and culminates in a structured and collaborative clinical education program. The DPT curriculum blends course content and assignments to foster professional formation and emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice.

Program Accreditation Status

The Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
telephone: 703-706-3245
email: accreditation@apta.org
website: http://www.capteonline.org

Admission Requirements

The Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is designed for qualified individuals who wish to further their academic studies in the field of physical therapy. The program specifically targets traditional and nontraditional students with the demonstrated potential to navigate the academic rigors of professional physical therapist education in a hybrid learning environment. Baylor receives applications exclusively through the Physical Therapist Central Application Service (PTCAS), provided by the American Physical Therapy Association. Students accepted into the DPT Program must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the program start date. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
2. Completion of all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and prerequisite course GPA of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.

• Biology (6 semester hours/8 quarter hours) laboratories are recommended, but not required
• Chemistry with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• General Physics with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• Statistics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Any Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• Abnormal or Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)

All prerequisite coursework must be completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. For a list of regional accrediting organizations and accredited institutions, please visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.

Grades Below "C-" in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.

If a prerequisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The prerequisite GPA will be determined using the highest course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.

If cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hour credits of coursework. 

Baylor DPT will accept passing (P) coursework for the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters in instances where Pass/Fail grades were given due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE must be completed within five years of the anticipated program start date. 

Applicants with a documented graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution may report earlier GRE scores. Transcripts of graduate education must be provided.

4. Submission of two references. Applicants must arrange for references to submit letters of recommendation electronically through the PTCAS system. One reference must be a licensed physical therapist.
5. Observation hours are strongly recommended, but not required. The Baylor DPT Admissions Committee recommends the completion of 100 observation hours, volunteer hours, or work hours with a licensed physical therapist in at least two different practice settings. Examples of practice settings include: outpatient clinics; acute care hospitals; inpatient rehabilitation facilities; skilled nursing facilities; home health care; and hospice care.
6. The Baylor DPT program accepts U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents and international students with many types of visas including H, L, R, F, J (but not B).

International students will be required to submit a World Education Services (WES) report along with international transcripts to PTCAS for all coursework completed outside the US.

Applicants whose native language is not English or who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses outside of the United States must demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.

7. Successful completion of an admission interview. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
8. Ability to fulfill the technical standards for admission.
9. Complete an approved background check prior to matriculation.

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate from the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all trimesters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Successfully complete the required credit hours of academic and clinical education course work.
2. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.
3. Achieve a “Pass” or letter grade of “C” (70%) or better in all academic and clinical courses as stipulated within each course syllabus.
4. Achieve entry-level competence as a physical therapist, as demonstrated on the Physical Therapist Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool (CIET).
5. Exhibit professional behaviors and abilities consistent with clinical practice as described in the Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy, Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant, Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, and the Technical Standards within the DPT Student Handbook.

Curriculum

The professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree requires students to complete 97 semester credit hours of coursework in 6 continuous academic trimesters over a 24-month period. Students are enrolled into the DPT program as a cohort and complete required courses in a prescribed, sequential manner. Course sequencing within the curriculum is designed to optimize the student's ability to learn and integrate course material into future didactic and clinical education experiences. The curriculum is dynamic to keep abreast with best evidence in both clinical and educational practice.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Hours
DPT 6100	Professional Physical Therapist Practice I	1
DPT 6212	Functional Movement	2
DPT 6214	Clinical Medicine I	2
DPT 6300	Human Physiology	3
DPT 6540	Physical Therapy Examination	5
DPT 6610	Human Anatomy	6
	Hours	19
Semester Two
DPT 6620	Musculoskeletal System I (Musculoskeletal System I)	6
DPT 6221	Clinical Medicine II (Clinical Medicine II)	2
DPT 6331	Physical Therapy Interventions	3
DPT 6421	Clinical Research	4
DPT 6450	Applied Neuroscience	4
	Hours	19
Semester Three
DPT 6630	Musculoskeletal System II (Musculoskeletal System II)	6
DPT 6431	Aging Adult	4
DPT 6470	Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems	4
DPT 6531	Neuromuscular System	5
	Hours	19
Semester Four
DPT 6220	Assistive Technologies	2
DPT 6341	Clinical Medicine III	3
DPT 6350	Pediatrics	3
DPT 6351	Clinical Integration I	3
DPT 6441	Clinical Experience I	4
	Hours	15
Semester Five
DPT 6110	Doctoral Synthesis I	1
DPT 6151	Pain Science	1
DPT 6310	Health and Wellness Promotion	3
DPT 6360	Clinical Integration II	3
DPT 6370	Business Principles for the Physical Therapist	3
DPT 6442	Clinical Experience II	4
	Hours	15
Semester Six
DPT 6120	Capstone II	1
DPT 6270	Professional Competencies II	2
DPT 6710	Clinical Experience III	7
	Hours	10
	Total Hours	97