Graduates promote health through movement and exercise, optimizing activity and participation across environments for individuals, communities and society.
UVM’s academic-clinical partnerships provide hands-on learning experiences. Students work together with licensed physical therapists to manage musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and post-concussion-related conditions through exercise. UVM also partners with the UVM Medical Center and UVM Health Network, and maintains clinical affiliations in healthcare settings locally and nationwide.
UVM DPT faculty model clinical and research expertise across each of the specialty areas of physical therapy practice while facilitating students' development as movement experts who promote health through exercise. Learn more >>
DPT coursework relates to the science and art of physical therapy - and includes basic, clinical and applied sciences; concepts of practice management; health policy and ethics; and quality in health care. Seminars, lectures, and hands-on lab experiences integrate concepts to prepare DPT graduates who provide ethical, evidence-based, client-centered services in a culturally sensitive manner.
The curriculum for the program by graduation year:
Additional requirements are outlined in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Handbook. Official course descriptions are outlined in the UVM Catalogue. Contact us to learn more about the combined DPT/Neuroscience Ph.D. degree option.
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 curriculum includes three clinical internship courses that comprise 32 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, maintain professional liability insurance through the school, and obtain 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. Graduates earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy and practice in 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. 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.
Learn more about student involvement.
The following information has been reported to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduation and employment information is compiled from departmental records. Employment data reflect percent employed within six months of passing the licensure exam. The licensure pass rate is reported by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
| Graduate Year | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 97% |
| 2020 | 91% |
| Two-year average | 94% |
| Class | Employment Rate | First Time Pass Rate | Ultimate Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94% | 94% | 100% |
| 2020 | 96% | 95% | 100% |
| Two-year average | 95% | 94.5% | 100% |
Upon completion of the University of Vermont DPT program graduates will be able to:
The program takes 2-1/2 years, including summer semesters, to complete.
View the UVM Academic Calendar for term start dates and other important information.
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.
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 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 3.0 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, essay and letters of recommendation should be submitted through PTCAS. 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 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.
Accreditation: The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Vermont is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305-3085; phone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 802-656-3252 or email Sambit.Mohapatra@med.uvm.edu.
Professional Licensure: The University of Vermont seeks to offer transparency around comparable national standards for our programs leading to licensure. View licensure requirements by state.
The UVM DPT program values the role of our professional organization in preparing our students for contemporary practice. All faculty and students are members of the American Physical Therapy Association.
(Under designation, select "other options," then "DPT Program Fund".)
Review the checklist for admitted students.
