Doctor of Physical Therapy Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Application

The University of New England Department of Physical Therapy participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Degree Requirement

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, before matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to PTCAS. Please refer to the PTCAS application for additional information and instructions.

GPA Requirement

• UNE has a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 for both overall and prerequisite coursework. Candidates with an overall GPA or prerequisite GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may still apply. Applications are reviewed holistically, and applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis.

Prerequisite Coursework Requirements

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Considerations

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better (C- grades are not acceptable).
• There is a strong preference that all science and statistics prerequisites be completed no more than ten (10) years prior to the PTCAS application deadline.
• Science course requirements – Alternative higher-level biology and chemistry courses with a lab component may be acceptable (with program approval).
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted to PTCAS and verified during the fall Academic Update period.
• All planned or in-progress prerequisite coursework should be listed on the PTCAS application at the time of application submission.
• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with official transcripts submitted to UNE prior to the start of the program.
• Online courses offered through UNE’s Online Science Prerequisites as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

Standardized Tests

• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.

Letters of Reference

Two (2) letters of reference are required – submitted via PTCAS

• One (1) academic reference from a professor, research advisor, or academic advisor.
• One (1) letter from a licensed physical therapist from whom you have completed observation hours.
• Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

Observation Hours

• UNE requires that all applicants complete at least forty (40) hours of observation with a licensed physical therapist (PT).
• Observation hours with a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) may also be considered upon request.
• All hours should be documented, submitted, and verified via PTCAS.
• Although not required, it is recommended that applicants complete observation hours in a variety of practice settings and patient populations.

Personal Statement

• Please refer to the PTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

Interviews

• Qualified applicants will be invited to interview via email. All interviews are completed through the Kira Talent virtual assessment platform.

International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by World Education Service (WES), confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to PTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the UNE website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a UNE-approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the UNE website for specific information, minimum score requirements, and test score submission instructions.

Other Requirements

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Admitted and deposited students must arrange for the submission of all outstanding documents, including transcripts and baccalaureate degree conferral via an official transcript submitted to the UNE Office of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment prior to the start of the program.
• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to UNE’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations). Additional details and questions should be addressed to D.P.T. program staff.
• All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Physical Therapy profession.

All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Policy Exceptions

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case-by-case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Physical Therapy program.
• The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing

• No advanced standing placement available.

Experiential Learning

• No credit is awarded for experiential learning.