UVM's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares practitioner-scholars who translate evidence into contemporary best practice to provide patient-centered care in an evolving and complex health care environment. The program prepares professionals who promote health through movement and exercise, optimizing activity and participation across environments for individuals, communities and society.
Seminars, lectures, and hands-on lab experiences integrate clinical, theoretical, and professional concepts to prepare graduates who provide ethical, evidence-based, client-centered services in a culturally sensitive manner. Coursework related to the science and art of physical therapy includes basic, clinical and applied sciences; concepts of practice management; health policy and ethics; and quality in health care.
Students prepare for practice through clinical internships offered throughout the U.S. in a variety of specialty areas and participate in research, service, and professional development activities. DPT graduates become decision-makers who understand the role of lifelong learning to support client, patient, and professional needs.
DPT faculty model clinical and research expertise across all specialty areas of physical therapy practice.
Justine Dee, PT, M.S., OCS, Interim Program DirectorAreas of Expertise: Chronic pain treatment, addressing pain and functional loss in victims of torture and trauma, low back pain, lymphedema treatment
Reuben Escorpizo, PT, M.Sc., D.P.T.Areas of Expertise: Understanding and examining disability in spinal cord injury, work rehabilitation, and arthritis
Mathew Failla, PT, Ph.D., SCSAreas of Expertise: Sports medicine, knee injury prevention and treatment, shoulder injury prevention and treatment
Nancy Gell, PT, Ph.D., M.P.H.Areas of Expertise: Exercise and physical activity adherence, influence of environment and technology on physical activity behavior, strategies for healthy aging
Sambit Mohapatra, PT, Ph.D.Areas of Expertise: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, screening tools in mild Traumatic Brain Injury, recovery of motor functions post-stroke
Rebecca H. Ouellette-Morton. PT, M.S., D.P.T., Clinical Education DirectorAreas of Expertise: Essential functions in physical therapy education, clinical education in physical therapy, strategies and functional outcomes for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions
Denise Peters, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D.Areas of Expertise: Neural correlates of motor impairment and recovery post-stroke, gait rehabilitation and neuromechanics, structural neuroimaging
Elizabeth Lee Sargent, PT, Sc.D., OCSAreas of Expertise: Utilizing thoracic spine treatment strategies for managing upper quarter pain and dysfunction, the effect of volitional preemptive abdominal contraction on active forward reach performance, the effect of screw fixation on sacroiliac joint stiffness using vibration energy color Doppler imaging
Paula A. Smith, PT, M.A.S., D.P.T.Areas of Expertise: Analysis of structured clinical education in transition to workplace, service learning to engage student learning in Geriatrics
Karen C. Westervelt, PT, ATC, Ph.D., M.S., OCS, FAAOMPT, CMPAreas of Expertise: Classification and treatment of low back pain, orthopedic manual therapy, post-professional physical therapist education, international collaborations in health care, novel mentoring techniques for new clinicians and clinicians in rural settings, kinesiology, biomechanics, travel study
Michelle Yargeau, PT, D.P.T., CWSAreas of Expertise: Wound care/pressure management, neurologic disorders and function/balance
The curriculum for the program per graduation year:
Additional requirements are outlined in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Handbook. Official course descriptions are outlined in the UVM Catalogue.
UVM contracts with over 300 clinical sites throughout the United States to provide practice in a variety of settings under the supervision of clinical instructors who are licensed physical therapists.The DPT curriculum includes four clinical internship courses that comprise 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experience.
Students should expect to have to travel and are responsible for travel and living expenses during the internship courses. Students are required to demonstrate adequate immunization against certain specified diseases and must obtain professional liability insurance, health clearance and CPR certification prior to enrolling in the clinical experience.
DPT program goals are derived from our mission and values to:
A grade point average of 3.0, successful completion of all internship experiences and a comprehensive examination are required for graduation. Refer to class year curriculum sheets for credit hours required for graduation. Graduates earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy and practice in many different settings including outpatient practices, rehabilitation facilities, acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, school systems and home health agencies.
Many graduates obtain advanced degrees in clinical specialties, or become practice owners, clinical administrators, or academic faculty. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national professional licensure examination administered through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs licensure requirements for Vermont.
Applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree in any major at a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; applicants with a baccalaureate degree from institutions outside the U.S. will also be considered. All applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater prior to entry into the program:
The program is 2-1/2 years including summer semesters.
For current information about financial aid, tuition, and fees, refer to the Student Financial Services website. If you have questions about whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident, refer to the Registrar's Residency Policy. If you are a permanent resident of Maine or New Hampshire, you may be eligible for discounted tuition through the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE)'s RSP Tuition Break program. For more information please contact the Graduate College.
The Early Decision program is a binding option for applicants who have decided that a particular PT program is their first choice and they will enroll if accepted. As an Early Decision applicant, you can apply to only one program that participates in Early Decision. If accepted as an Early Decision applicant, you must accept the offer and will not be permitted to apply to any additional programs in PTCAS during the application cycle. The Early Decision application deadline is August 15. (Non-Early Decision deadline is November 15.)
Yes, you will most likely need access to a car during your clinical internships. All students should expect to have at least one clinical internship out of state. Students are responsible for travel and living expenses during their internships.
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences Office of Student Services is able to guide you during the application process and answer any of your questions. There are also advisors and current DPT students available to speak with you about the program. The Office of Admissions offers tours, which are a great way to see the campus. You may contact them to arrange a visit. Information sessions for the DPT program are held a few times a year. More information including dates and locations can be found in the prospective graduate students section of the CNHS website. These sessions - held by a faculty member in the department - are highly recommended.
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences receives a large group of very competitive applications each year. The average class size is 40 students.
You may have no more than two prerequisite courses remaining for the spring semester when you apply. The Graduate College must be notified of final grades before classes begin.
It is highly recommended that the prerequisite courses are taken no more than ten years prior to applying to the program, although it is not a requirement.
Students applying to the program must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater in their studies and a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or greater in their prerequisite courses. The average overall GPA for students enrolled in the program is 3.5 with an average 3.5 for the prerequisite GPA. Through PTCAS, applicants identify the courses that they want to count toward the prerequisite GPA. So, if you retake a prerequisite course, you may select the course with the best grade that meets the requirement. The calculation for the GPA prerequisites is then based on the grades from the courses you identify.
There is no requirement for observation hours for the application process, although it is favorable to have this type of experience.
There is no interview requirement for the application process.
Official transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation should be submitted through PTCAS. The GRE Code for the University of Vermont DPT program is 7708. Refer to the PTCAS website for more information. The UVM on-line supplemental graduate application must also be completed. Please put only the names of your references on this application and not their e-mails, as it will send them another recommendation request. In the box calling for an essay, please upload a Word document or PDF stating "See essay on the PTCAS application."
PTCAS will have the information related to the status of your transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. If you are having any questions or difficulties with PTCAS, contact their customer service line at (617) 612-2040 or ptcasinfo@ptcas.org. UVM will notify you when applications have been received.
All applicants will be notified of their admissions decision by mid-February.
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Vermont is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website www.capteonline.org.
UVM DPT faculty and students belong to the American Physical Therapy Association.
The Neuroscience graduate program at the University of Vermont is a multidisciplinary, Ph.D. - granting program that emphasizes rigorous training in neuroscience-related research and prepares students for a variety of science related careers in addition to tenure-stream academic careers.