Choose Your Path
Students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy professional graduate program in one of three ways.
Students taking part in the IPE skills lab
Our Early Assurance (EA) program allows select high school students the advantage of securing a seat in the graduate DPT program after completing three years of prescribed undergraduate course work within the Exercise Science major at UB.
Students within the EA program will earn both a BS in exercise science and a DPT degree (3 + 3 Combined ES BS/DPT degree).
How to apply when you are in high school
- When you apply to UB, select "Exercise Science" as your intended major.
- If you meet the DPT EA criteria, you will be contacted by UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions Office of Student Services (OASA) with an EA offer.
- Apply as early as possible for fullest consideration. EA is offered on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
DPT early assurance criteria
- Strong cumulative high school GPA (usually above a 93)
- Evidence of strong science high school grades (usually above 90)
You will receive more information directly if you are eligible. You are required to respond to your offer within two weeks of its receipt to ensure your place.
Early assurance is not the sole route into our DPT program, and ineligibility for early assurance does not imply that you are not qualified for admission to the DPT program.
Be prepared
HIGH SCHOOL COURSEWORK
To best prepare for the pre-physical therapy curriculum, high school students should take math courses and science courses including pre-calculus or calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
You should have the ability to communicate effectively using both the oral and written English language. Written communication skills will be assessed in a standardized manner.
After you're admitted to the DPT early assurance program
GPA and prerequisite courses
You must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5, and a separate prerequisite GPA of 3.0 to maintain your status in the EA program. It is important to know the difference between these GPA types. GPA review will be conducted at the end of the fourth semester. Students who no longer meet the criteria will be notified. Students who are not eligible for early assurance acceptance are still eligible to apply to the program and will be reviewed with all other applicants.
A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required before you enter the graduate DPT program. Below are some important things to be aware of:
- All science and math prerequisites are included in the EA GPA, including college courses completed outside UB.
- You must earn a C- or higher in all prerequisite courses.
- You must submit any grade changes within 10 business days after the university’s first official day of grades posted for the semester.
- Appeals may be considered.
Prerequisite GPA Calculator
If you would like to keep track of your prerequisite GPA, please email Jaclyn Levesque at jl388@buffalo.edu for a prerequisite GPA calculator.
Full list of DPT prerequisite courses at UB
PTCAS application
During your junior year in UB's Exercise Science program, you must complete a PTCAS application, which includes:
- Completing a minimum of 40 volunteer observation hours
- Answering short answer questions and completing a personal statement
- Providing two references - one of which MUST be from a Physical Therapist
- Interview
The separate $50 UB application fee is waived for EA students.
For questions, please contact sphhp-oasa@buffalo.edu or call (716) 829-5000.
All graduate admissions requirements are subject to revision and review by the DPT Admissions Committee and may be revised without extensive notice. As a competitive program, admission can be based on the availability of space.
Non-discrimination Policy-UB DPT is committed to a nondiscriminatory admission policy and philosophy.
Students currently enrolled in the 3+3 Combinded Program or the 4+3 Pre-PT Track can apply to the DPT program via PTCAS.
Applications and Deadlines
Applications to the graduate DPT program are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.
Apply by Nov. 1 through the PTCAS application, and pay the additional, non-refundable $50 UB application fee. This fee is separate from the PTCAS application fee and is required.
Important Dates:
June 15: Application opens
Oct. 1: Soft deadline
Nov. 1: Final deadline
We strongly encourage you to have all of your materials submitted and your application in "verified" status by Oct. 1.
Applications can take up to four weeks to be verified by PTCAS.
Applications cannot be reviewed until they are in "verified" status.
You will receive an admissions decision in mid to late January.
Learn about prerequisites for current UB students and non-UB students
Requirements
Students that have graduated from UB and have completed the required prerequisite coursework can apply directly to the DPT program via PTCAS.
Applications and Deadlines
Applications to the graduate DPT program are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.
Apply by Nov. 1 through the PTCAS application, and pay the additional, non-refundable $50 UB application fee. This fee is separate from the PTCAS application fee and is required.
Important Dates:
June 15: Application opens
Oct. 1: Soft deadline
Nov. 1: Final deadline
We strongly encourage you to have all of your materials submitted and your application in "verified" status by Oct. 1.
Applications can take up to four weeks to be verified by PTCAS.
Applications cannot be reviewed until they are in "verified" status.
You will receive an admissions decision in mid to late January.
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.
- Volunteer Observation Hours: a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist. Documentation of volunteer experience is part of the PTCAS application.
- Personal Statement.
- Short Answer Questions.
- 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.
Interviews
Interviews will be held in two cohorts - the first set of interviews will be held after the Oct. 1 soft deadline, and the next set after the Nov. 1 final deadline.
Students must meet all of the requirements listed above, and must pay the additional $50 UB application fee in order to be interviewed.
Admissions Decisions
An admissions decision will be provided in mid to late January. Decisions will not be sent before January 15.
The following additional information can be found at PTCAS.org:
Questions about the PTCAS application and applying to the DPT program?
Please email Jaclyn Levesque, admissions and enrollment coordinator, at jl388@buffalo.edu.
Program questions?
Contact Mary Ann Venezia, program coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu.
Students who will have an earned bachelor’s degree or higher that have taken the equivalent prerequisite coursework can apply directly to the DPT program via PTCAS.
Applications and Deadlines
Applications to the graduate DPT program are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.
Apply by Nov. 1 through the PTCAS application, and pay the additional, non-refundable $50 UB application fee. This fee is separate from the PTCAS application fee and is required.
Important Dates:
June 15: Application opens
Oct. 1: Soft deadline
Nov. 1: Final deadline
We strongly encourage you to have all of your materials submitted and your application in "verified" status by Oct. 1.
Applications can take up to four weeks to be verified by PTCAS.
Applications cannot be reviewed until they are in "verified" status.
You will receive an admissions decision in mid to late January.
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.
- Volunteer Observation Hours: a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist. Documentation of volunteer experience is part of the PTCAS application.
- Personal Statement.
- Short Answer Questions.
- 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.
Interviews
Interviews will be held in two cohorts - the first set of interviews will be held after the Oct. 1 soft deadline, and the next set after the Nov. 1 final deadline.
Students must meet all of the requirements listed above, and must pay the additional $50 UB application fee in order to be interviewed.
Admissions Decisions
An admissions decision will be provided in mid to late January. Decisions will not be sent before January 15.
The following additional information can be found at PTCAS.org:
Questions about the PTCAS application and applying to the DPT program?
Please email Jaclyn Levesque, admissions and enrollment coordinator, at jl388@buffalo.edu.
Program questions?
Contact Mary Ann Venezia, program coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu.
Non-UB International students applying to the Graduate DPT Program have the same prerequisite course requirements as any non-UB student applicant.
Applications and Deadlines
Applications to the graduate DPT program are for fall semester admission only; there are no spring semester admissions.
Apply by Nov. 1 through the PTCAS application, and pay the additional, non-refundable $50 UB application fee. This fee is separate from the PTCAS application fee and is required.
Important Dates:
June 15: Application opens
Oct. 1: Soft deadline
Nov. 1: Final deadline
We strongly encourage you to have all of your materials submitted and your application in "verified" status by Oct. 1.
Applications can take up to four weeks to be verified by PTCAS.
Applications cannot be reviewed until they are in "verified" status.
You will receive an admissions decision in mid to late January.
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.
- Volunteer Observation Hours: a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience under a licensed physical therapist. Documentation of volunteer experience is part of the PTCAS application.
- Personal Statement.
- Short Answer Questions.
- 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.
- Non-UB International applicants are required to provide WES transcripts (if applicable) and their TOEFL or Duolingo* score when applying in PTCAS.
*A Duolingo score of 120 is required for those applying to the DPT Program.
Interviews
Interviews will be held in two cohorts - the first set of interviews will be held after the Oct. 1 soft deadline, and the next set after the Nov. 1 final deadline.
Students must meet all of the requirements listed above, and must pay the additional $50 UB application fee in order to be interviewed.
Admissions Decisions
An admissions decision will be provided in mid to late January. Decisions will not be sent before January 15.
The following additional information can be found at PTCAS.org:
Questions about the PTCAS application and applying to the DPT program?
Please email Jaclyn Levesque, admissions and enrollment coordinator, at jl388@buffalo.edu.
Program questions?
Contact Mary Ann Venezia, program coordinator, at venezia3@buffalo.edu.
Undergraduate transfer students may enter the Exercise Science program, complete the Exercise Science BS curriculum, and then apply to the DPT program.
