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See the PT Program website for detailed information regarding requirements

COVID-19 Updates for the 2020-21 Application

The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program is a 2 1/2 year program that begins with Orientation the last Wednesday in May, followed by Summer semester beginning the first Monday in June. The academic program (including clinical education) continues for 8 consecutive semesters with graduation in December. Full-time and part-time clinical education experiences are interspersed throughout the first two years and begin as early as the second semester (fall). During the Fall semester of the third year all students complete a final 16 week clinical internship. Upon completion of the Program, students are awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Following graduation, some students will continue in a year-long paid internship at the same site for an additional 36 weeks and other students may continue in a specially designed internship and/or post-professional residency experience, while others choose to assume employment as a licensed PT. 

Our curriculum is rigorous, but students still find time to pursue opportunities in community service, explore global health, participate in a student-run interdiscplinary clinic, and get involved in faculty research activities. As part of the School of Medicine, the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, the only academic health sciences campus in the Rocky Mountain Region. Our Program provides students an interprofessional learning environment uniquely designed to prepare them for their roles as future health care professionals. 

We seek applicants who bring a passion for healthcare and working closely with patients, a variety of life experiences, a strong academic background, and who will add to the diversity of our student body and the physical therapy profession.

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Typically, out-of-state students are able to establish residency after the first year. If residency status is achieved the student would pay in-state tuition for the 2nd and 3rd (half) year of the program. 

Total Annual Cost of the Program based on 2019-2020 tuition rates:    

Year 1  

Year 2

Year 3 

There is a DPT/PhD degree option that provides students with the opportunity to become doctorally prepared Physical Therapist clinicians (DPT) and Rehabilitation Scientists (PhD) in tandem. Admission to the DPT does not guarantee admission to the PhD, and a separate application to the PhD is required later. Applicants interested in this dual degree option MUST have previous research experience and respond to the additional essay question. All requirements for the DPT also apply to the DPT/PhD. 

A $1000.00 deposit is required to accept an offer of admission and is applied to the first semester tuition and fees.  Deposits must be submitted in the form of a personal check, cashier's check or money order at the time of accepting an offer of admission.  

Percent of IN-STATE and OUT-OF-STATE applicants accepted annually varies, and there is not a specific or set number of applicants accepted solely on this criteria. 

WICHE applicants accepted varies annually depending on qualified applicants who are offered admission and who meet WICHE criteria.  

Program is committed to a holistic review of applicants and gives preference to those who excel in academics, leadership and community service. This commitment extends to individuals from all backgrounds, to Colorado residents, and to expanding diversity in the physical therapy profession.