The Master of Physical Therapy Degree    Admissions Information Frequently Asked Questions

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There following are questions frequently asked by students regarding admissions and the PT program admissions process. Check here before you contact the UTMB PT program. You may find the answer to your question here.

Q--Do I need to have a Bachelor's degree to be admitted to UTMB PT?

A-- Yes and in the coursework that lead to that bachelor's degree or any subsequent academic work you need to have completed 120 hours of UTMB PT pre-requisites. 

Q--What is the average GPA of students selected to attend UTMB PT?

A--It varies from year to year. Some years it is 3.7 and other 3.3. Most years it is around 3.4. The range of GPAs is always from 3.0 to 4.0. Contrary to what is said you are not out of the running if you have below a 3.2.

Q-- What standardized test do you require?  

A--For those applying for the class starting in August 2003 or after, we now will accept either the GRE or the HOAE.  

Q-- If I am unsuccessful in getting accepted into the PT program and plan to re-apply, do I have to retake the HOAE?

A--Yes. The reported scores are "percentile scores" and dependent upon scores made by others taking the test that year, so old scores are not valid. However, if for any reason you have taken the GRE, we will now accept those scores from applicants for the 2003 class. 

Q--Can any of my courses that are more than 10 years old count toward prerequisites?

A--All science courses must be taken within the past 10 years except under unusual circumstances (e.g., person has worked as a chemist and has chemistry courses older than 10 years). The applicant may petition the admissions committee for a waiver to accept non science courses taken more than 10 years ago, providing rationale for why a waiver should be granted. The petition must be requested prior to December 15.

Q--I have completed the volunteer of work hours, but the therapist has moved and I am unable to contact her/him. What can I do?

A--If you are unable to get the therapist's signature and license number on the "Pt documentation form," submit what documentation you have (hopefully on the facility's letterhead stationary) with a note explaining that you are unable to locate the therapist. Because this situation happens fairly frequently, all applicants are advised to get documentation of hours worked and the therapist's signature and license number on facility's letterhead stationary at the completion of volunteer experience at that facility.

Q--I took a statistics course from a math department instead of a psychology department. Will this course be accepted as meeting the statistics prerequisite?

A--The faculty feels that a psychology-based statistics course will best prepare applicants for the research expectations in our graduate program. It is the applicant's responsibility to petition the admissions committee for approval of any course not meeting the requirements outlined on our brochures and web-site. To petition the committee for a waiver, applicants must submit the course syllabus and maybe the textbook for review.

Q-- What is a good major for my undergraduate studies? 
A -- Any major is acceptable as long as you complete the pre-requisite courses.  However, there are some majors that lend themselves to getting your pre-requisites while at the same time you will be working toward a degree that will be meaningful degree.  A few that meet this description are Biology, Kinesiology, Exercise Science and Psychology.