Admissions

Students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy professional graduate program in one of three ways.

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COVID-19 Admissions Updates

COVID-19-related admissions changes for 2020-2021 admissions cycle

Our staff and admissions committee understand the issues that you are facing and will continue to adjust our assessment of applications as needed. Our primary concern is the safety of all of our applicants.

Pass/Fail coursework

We recognize that COVID-19 has disrupted academic plans across the country and that applicants are facing unprecedented challenges related to the pandemic. Many colleges and universities have elected to offer pass/fail grading as an option during the 2020 spring semester, including the University at Buffalo. Our program will accept pass/fail grades for the spring 2020 semester only, with no disadvantage to the applicant.

To give us the best sense of your academic preparation, prerequisite coursework you have taken before spring 2020 should be on a graded basis (as opposed to pass/fail).

Observation hours

Due to self-quarantine, social distancing and other virus mitigation policies, it may be more difficult for applicants to accumulate significant preparatory experiences such as observation hours with a licensed physical therapist.

As a result, we are encouraging applicants to be creative and obtain observation hours where possible, including telehealth or any other interaction with a licensed physical therapist where the applicant can learn more about physical therapy. Applicants may also apply without these hours if they are unable to find any way to obtain them.

If you have a question regarding whether your specific observation experience will be accepted, reach out to Jaclyn Levesque at jl388@buffalo.edu.

GRE tests

To meet the needs of students unable to take the GRE General Test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering a GRE General Test at-home option.

  • Scores must be linked to your PTCAS application no later than 11/13/20.
  • Please take note of the UB School Codes that you must provide to ETS to have your scores linked to your application: Program PTCAS GRE Code: 4718, University Code: 2925, Department Code: 0619

Letters of recommendation

We still have the same requirements for the number and types recommendations. We recognize that COVID-19 may have an impact on the depth of your interactions with referees, and that comments provided may be more generalized due to the potential of having a lower number of in-person contact hours. 

A letter of recommendation from a physical therapist is preferred, but is not required for this application cycle. References should speak to your potential for working in health care.​

Scores must be linked to your PTCAS application no later than 11/13/20.

Transcripts

You must provide official transcripts in your PTCAS application.  We will not accept unofficial transcripts at this time.

  • Freshmen students follow the Exercise Science BS – Pre-Physical Therapy concentration curriculum and apply to the DPT program during their third year of study to earn the 3 + 3 combined Exercise Science BS / DPT degree. UB students may also complete all 4 years of Exercise Science to earn their Exercise Science BS before applying to the DPT program (4 + 3 option).
  • Undergraduate transfer students may enter the Exercise Science program, complete the Exercise Science BS curriculum, and then apply to the DPT program.
  • Students who have an earned bachelor’s or higher degree which includes equivalent prerequisite coursework may apply directly to the DPT program.

Undergraduate Exercise Science majors who are members of the University Honors College are guaranteed acceptance to the Doctorate Physical Therapy program as long as they maintain eligibility to be in good standing with the Honors College and meet the necessary admissions requirements for the DPT program, including minimum GRE scores and prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students in the Honors College must apply to the DPT program and submit their completed application via PTCAS.

Students who have completed some undergraduate coursework at other colleges or universities should transfer into the Exercise Science program to complete the necessary DPT prerequisite courses.

If you have a bachelor’s degree from another college or university that includes equivalent prerequisite coursework and you wish to apply directly to the DPT program, contact MaryAnn Venezia, Program Coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu for course evaluation and additional information.

Applications and Deadlines

Applications are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.

Apply by November 1 through the PTCAS application and pay the $50 UB application fee in addition to the PTCAS fee.

Applications and all required documents, including your GRE scores, must be submitted, linked and verified by PTCAS by October 1. Please be aware that verification of applications can take up to four weeks.

Learn about prerequisites for current UB students and non-UB students

Requirements

Students are evaluated based on all materials submitted and will be considered in the context of all their accomplishments.

  • A GPA of 3.0 or above in prerequisite courses.
  • GRE scores of 295 (inclusive of verbal and quantitative). The analytical writing portion is not included in the total score but is required.
  • Volunteer Observation Hours--40 hours of volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist. Documentation of volunteer experience is part of the PTCAS application.
  • Personal Statement.
  • Contact information for two references
    • One reference must be from a physical therapist.
    • An additional reference can be from any one of the following: another physical therapist, a professor in your major, professor, a PTA, pre-PT advisor, health care professional or clergy.
    • The following references are NOT accepted: References from a teaching assistant, friend, family member, co-worker or anyone not on the approved list provided above.

The following additional information can be found at PTCAS.org:

Admissions questions?

Contact Mary Ann Venezia, program coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is committed to ensuring equal access to its programs and activities. The entire notice of non-discrimination can be viewed here: www.buffalo.edu/equity.html