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The Benefits of a Hybrid Education

Our program in physical therapy has been preparing students to be highly competent and compassionate professionals for 50 years. We take pride in bringing together the most advanced educational philosophies and the most current research together with the finest faculty to create an effective and supportive learning environment. Proof of our success is the fact that we have a 99% first-time pass rate on the national licensure examination.

The physical therapy program at the University of Utah has a long-standing tradition of excellence dating back to the admission of its first class in 1969. This makes

 the University of Utah program in physical therapy one of the oldest in the region. 

The University of Utah Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program offers three options to accommodate every type of learner:

  • In-person on the main campus in Salt Lake City
  • In-person in St. George, Utah
  • This innovative hybrid format

Admissions, prerequisites, and application requirements for each option are identical.

The Hybrid DPT program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 

Learn more about our mission and values.


This is a full-time program. We do not recommend that students hold other employment during their studies.

The hybrid online/on-campus DPT option gives students from across the nation the opportunity to earn their DPT from a top-ranked school of physical therapy, without having to relocate. This program combines engaging online learning with in-person immersion experiences at the University of Utah and clinical experiences near students’ communities, which enables students to learn in an intimate and innovative atmosphere while staying close to home.

The curriculum utilizes an innovative layered approach to active student learning. The program includes the following online, live, and in-person elements:

  • Asynchronous Lessons: Didactic content and lab skills are introduced through recorded lessons that students complete online.
  • Live Sessions: Each class holds weekly synchronous online meetings between students and faculty.
  • Immersions: On-campus experiences consisting of physical learning and assessment. Immersions are roughly 6-7 days in length and occur at the following times:
    • During orientation at the beginning of the program (3-days)
    • Twice during each fall and spring semester, with one toward the middle and one at the end of the semester. Summer semesters include one immersion only.
  • Clinical Education: Students complete 15 weeks (45 hours) of part-time clinical education in spring semester of the first year and 42 weeks of full-time clinical education including three back-to-back placements in the final year. Students may also complete optional part-time clinical education during didactic semesters in the second and third year of the program.

Upcoming Information Sessions on 3, 17, 31 Oct and 14 Nov 2023

Faculty and current students at the University of Utah DPT Program will be holding a series of information sessions for prospective students to learn more about our Hybrid Pathway.  These sessions will be virtual via Zoom and will introduce students to the UofU DPT program, give an overview of the curriculum and how it’s delivered, and discuss whether your learning preferences may be a fit for the Hybrid Pathway.  Additionally, current DPT students will be available to share their experience and answer any questions you may have.  Registration is not required so feel free to attend one or more sessions.

  • October 3, 2023 @ 4:00 pm MST - via Zoom
  • October 17, 2023 @ 4:00 pm MST - via Zoom
  • October 31, 2023 @ 4:00 pm MST - via Zoom
  • November 14, 2023 @ 4:00 pm MST - via Zoom

Faculty and Culture

DPT Pathways

Commitment to EDI

Doctor of Physical Therapy

 

Applicants must complete all prerequisite requirements to be admitted. This information is subject to change without written notice or obligation. 

  • All coursework must be taken for a letter grade. Any coursework with a grade below C will not be considered toward fulfillment of the program's prerequisites. C minus is NOT acceptable.
  • If a course is repeated, the Physical Therapy Department will calculate the highest grade achieved in the course when calculating the Prerequisite GPA on your PTCAS application.

The following courses must be completed and graded prior to submitting your PTCAS application. These courses must be taken within 7 years from the date of application. No exceptions will be made.

  • Human Anatomy with lab - one course with lab. Mammalian or vertebrate anatomy will not fulfill this requirement.
  • Human Physiology - one course; lab not required but strongly recommended. Mammalian or vertebrate physiology will not fulfill this requirement.
  • Physics requires a full series with labs (two semesters of the same set). For example, College Physics I & II or Principles of Physics I & II.
  • Chemistry requires a full series with labs (two semesters of the same set). For example, Gen Chem I & Gen Chem II or Organic Chem I & Organic Chem II.

In addition to the previously mentioned prerequisites, the following courses must be completed. Only two of the following courses can be in progress or planned for completion by mid-May prior to starting the DPT program.

  • Exercise Physiology with lab- one course taken in the past 7 years from date of application
  • Trigonometry OR Calculus OR Pre-Calculus - one course taken in the past 10 years from date of application. (An AP test score of 4 or higher in Trigonometry or calculus can fulfill this requirement; your score must be viewable on your application)
  • General Psychology - (AP NOT ACCEPTED) one course within 10 years from date of application. An additional psychology course may be used in lieu of general psychology.
  • Additional Psychology- one course within 10 years from the date of application. Must be taken through a Psych department. ESS/Kinesiology Sports Psychology courses will NOT meet this requirement.
  • Statistics -(AP NOT ACCEPTED) one course taken in the past 10 years from date of application; NOT an introductory course. The statistics requirement is met by a course that includes both descriptive AND inferential statistics (e.g. hypothesis testing, t-test, Analysis of Variance, regression, confidence intervals). (Please submit course description and syllabus if you have questions to dptadmissions@hsc.utah.edu).

All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of spring semester, prior to the start of the DPT program (Summer Semester; mid-May). 

ATTENTION LOCAL APPLICANTS: 

Check the list of prerequisite courses from Utah institutions that satisfy University of Utah DPT program requirements. 

The flat-rate cost for the full program is $95,000.  For information on scholarship opportunities, click here.

Current salary information can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook. Physical Therapy has been named as one of the nation's 150 best recession-proof jobs. Physical Therapist ranks in CNN Money's 2013 Top 100 Jobs in America, and PT is included in their 10 Booming Jobs, with the growth over the next 10 years at 30%. The Department of Workforce Services of Utah gives Physical Therapy a 5 Star Rating.

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Last Updated: 9/26/23