At the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), we value well-rounded, unique individuals, and strive to create a diverse learning community so that our graduates can provide excellent health care to all individuals and communities. Our program performs a holistic review of each applicant, and admissions decisions are based on careful consideration of each applicant's experiences, attributes and academic metrics.Why apply to UNMC? INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING: According to the 2019 ranking of the nation's top graduate schools by U.S. News & World Report, our UNMC physical therapy program was ranked 28th! We pride ourselves on excellence in teaching and benefit from being part of a world-class medical center with top-notch facilities. Students at UNMC learn in an environment that embraces the innovation of tomorrow while maintaining low student-to-faculty ratios and small-group learning. UNMC was one of the first public institutions to offer the entry-level DPT degree, accepting its first doctoral-level class in 2000. Accredited since 1972, the UNMC Physical Therapy Program is designed to provide a broad scope education for entry-level practitioners. ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES: DPT students are not required to complete a formal thesis, but are welcome to participate in clinical and basic science research alongside the faculty within our large academic health science center. Students can also take advantage of local, national and international service opportunities. Intramural sports are popular, as are annual social events (open to all UNMC professional students). TWO CAMPUS CHOICES: In Omaha, the program is located on an academic health science center campus, enabling interaction with over a dozen other health education programs. We enjoy a strong relationship with our affiliated teaching hospital, Nebraska Medicine. Students take classes in the state-of-the-art, $53 million Sorrell Center for Health Science Education and a renovated (~$1 million) gross anatomy laboratory. In addition, patient simulations using various levels of technology are included throughout the curriculum (see the virtual tour of the Clinical Skills Center in the Michael Sorrell Center on our website). There are service learning and leadership opportunities available in UNMC student-run clinics. In Kearney, the program is located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. The new $19 million Health Science Education facility in Kearney houses several College of Allied Health Professions programs, including Physical Therapy Education, along with the Kearney Division of the UNMC College of Nursing. The new building includes state-of-the-art classrooms, clinical teaching laboratories, clinical simulation facilities, a gross anatomy laboratory, and plentiful student interaction space. The expansion allows for an increased enrollment in allied health professions programs to meet the high demand for professionals, which is particularly prevalent in rural areas. With an increased focus on rural primary care, the expansion to the UNK campus also provides unique opportunities for interprofessional education in both didactic and clinical settings, and prepares future healthcare professionals to participate in team-based healthcare. Students looking for a small town atmosphere and undergraduate campus activities will feel at home here. For more information see http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/about/kearney-expansion.html The Omaha area has a population of over 750,000 and is a highly accessible and affordable city, with a relatively low crime rate and cost of living. Omaha students can choose from newly-constructed campus apartments or plentiful housing options off-campus. Omaha's historic Old Market district, just 2.5 miles from UNMC, offers numerous loft apartments, art galleries, street musicians, a summer Farmers Market, and abundant nightlife. Kearney has a population of 32,000 and is located in central Nebraska. Kearney students enjoy 18 miles of trails and over a dozen parks which include disc golf, water parks, sport complexes and golf courses. More information about Kearney life can be found at: http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/about/kearney.htmlMore detailed information about our program is available at: http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/education/pt/
UNMC and the University of Nebraska Omaha's College of Business have developed dual degree opportunities in business and health-related professional degree programs. Students enrolled in the dual degree program are able to complete the MBA core classes alongside their UNMC course work. They can then transfer and apply up to nine credit hours of elective credits from their UNMC degree towards their MBA. This allows students the ability to complete the MBA faster and benefit from shared credits.
Please see Program Description for information about our campus in Kearney, Nebraska.
Interviews are conducted virtually to increase accessibility and reduce bias. After your virtual interview, you will attend either a virtual or in-person open house to tour the campus, learn more about the program, and meet with faculty and current students.
Nonrefundable deposit will be credited towards tuition at enrollment.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of residency; as a state institution preference is given to applicants who are residents of Nebraska. Preference is also given to residents from states without accredited DPT programs (Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii).
http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/education/pt/