Physical Therapy

DPT

Why study Physical Therapy?

The top-ranked University of Cincinnati Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program graduates students with a DPT degree while also preparing each student for licensure and practice within the field of physical therapy.

Physical Therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

The program's well-rounded curriculum is designed to prepare graduates who will be effective practitioners of physical therapy in a wide variety of clinical settings. The program incorporates traditional coursework, research, and clinical experiences. Courses may involve lectures, active lab demonstrations, course-related field trips, and observations at off-campus sites.

Graduates of the program consistently exceed national averages on board exam pass rates.

Our clinical and research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and location in Cincinnati’s medical hub all add to the value of a degree from this program.

State Authorization 

Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid).   To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage. 

Admission Requirements

Please visit our Admission Requirements page for detailed information about the admissions process.

No GRE required 

The University of Cincinnati Doctor of Physical Therapy program no longer requires the GRE starting with the entering class of Summer 2023. 

Early Admission Opportunities

The DPT program offers two early admission opportunities to qualified students. High school seniors entering the UC Bachelor of Health Sciences – Pre-Physical Therapy program may apply to the High School Early Assurance Pathway. UC juniors may apply to the Junior Early Assurance Pathway. Students who maintain minimum requirements for these programs have a spot reserved in the DPT program when they graduate.

 

The DPT program prepares graduates for a career as a physical therapist.

Physical therapists are allied health professionals that promote optimal health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct or alleviate acute or prolonged dysfunctions. Once you graduate from a DPT program, pass the board exam, and meet any state laws and exams that are required, you are eligible to work as a licensed Physical Therapist.

Graduates of our program find careers working with patients across the lifespan in a variety of locations including:

  • Outpatient clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Private offices
  • Home health care
  • Nursing homes

Physical therapists provide care to people of all ages who have functional problems, including but not limited to:

  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Conditions (heart attack, cystic fibrosis, bypass surgery)
  • Integumentary Conditions (wounds, burns)
  • Neurological Conditions (cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke)
  • Orthopedic Conditions (sprains, fractures, sports injuries, amputations, back and neck pain).
  • The Surgeon General recently urged physicians to battle against opioid addiction. Physical therapy is recommended as a first-line approach.
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.

Upon entry into the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor.

Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Application Deadlines

Visit the How to Apply page to find information on application deadlines, where to send your materials, and more.

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 513-558-7477 or email physicaltherapy@uc.edu.

Contact Information

Physical Therapy Program
Health Sciences Building
3225 Eden Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45267
(513) 558-7767
physicaltherapy@uc.edu

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Program Code: 35DOC-PT-DPT