Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30
  • Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0
  • Prerequisites include:
    • One course in each of the following:
      • Human Anatomy with lab1
      • Human Physiology with lab1
      • General Psychology
      • Statistics
    • Two (2) courses on a semester-based system in each of the following:
      • Biology for science majors with lab
      • Chemistry for science majors with lab
      • Physics (algebra-based)
  • The following courses are highly recommended: Exercise Physiology with lab, Technical Writing
  • Three letters of recommendation; one must be from a licensed physical therapist who has supervised the applicant in a health setting, one letter must be from a university or college professor who has taught the applicant in at least one class if you are a current student or one letter from an employer if you are not a current student, and one letter of your choice who is either another PT supervisor, academic reference, or who can speak on your academic or professional qualities and who is NOT a family member.
    • Note: If more than 3 letters of recommendation are submitted only the first 3 meeting the requirement will be considered

  • Group Interview

  • Knowledge of the field of physical therapy
  • Shadowing a physical therapist is highly recommended to obtain knowledge of the field; however, there is not a minimum number of hours of observation or shadowing required
  • Early Decision Opportunity: This opportunity is available only to University of Toledo students with junior status can apply through our Early Decision Application.  Students who are accepted through Early Decision based course criteria, GPA, essay, recommendation letters, and interview will have a spot reserved in the DPT program following earning their bachelor’s degree.   Early Decision packet information can be found on the physical therapy website in early in spring term, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (utoledo.edu)

1

Or two course sequence in Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Criminal Background Check Policy

All incoming physical therapy students are required to complete both an Ohio BCI&I check and a FBI criminal background check. In the event that the background check report identifies a history of criminal activity, the student may be at risk for not being able to successfully complete the required clinical education requirements of the DPT program. Successful completion of all designated clinical education experiences is a graduation requirement for a DPT degree. Further, students with a criminal background may be “at risk” for not meeting Physical Therapy licensure eligibility requirements in some states due to a felony conviction.  To ensure that a student with a history of a felony conviction is eligible to take the Physical Therapy licensure exam, the “at risk” student will need to seek clarifying information directly from the licensure board of the state in which they wish to practice. As PT practice laws vary from state to state, it becomes the student’s responsibility to know the laws of individual states regarding policies associated with the awarding of a PT license; the “at risk” student may need to petition the state licensure agency to request a declaratory order/opinion from the licensure agency.

Each student, while enrolled in the didactic and clinical portions of the physical therapy curriculum, is required to maintain evidence of compliance with required immunizations, titers, TB testing, and an annual physical examination as specified in the Student Health Form information sent in the DPT student matriculation materials. All expenses incurred in obtaining a physical, necessary laboratory tests, immunizations and any additional health requirements are the responsibility of the student. Proof of compliance is obtained by the student submitting evidence of meeting requirements to Exxat Student Compliance for approval.

It should be noted that some clinical education sites have additional health requirements (ex. drug screens, TB screening in shorter time frames). During onboarding preparations for upcoming clinicals, the student is responsible for checking with the Site Coordinator of Clinical Education to determine if there are any additional health requirements. This process should be initiated approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the clinical education experience to allow adequate time for completion of any additional health requirements. If the student does not complete the clinical site's additional requirements, the student will not be able to attend that facility for their clinical education experience.  

All expenses incurred in obtaining a physical, necessary laboratory tests, immunizations and additional health requirements are the responsibility of the student. 

Essential Functions

The University of Toledo admits and matriculates qualified physical therapy students in accordance with the UToledo Policy of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of a Disability – The Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The State of Ohio Revised Code, and other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equality of opportunity. UToledo prohibits discrimination against anyone on the basis of disability and is committed to equal access for all qualified applicants and students. 

A physical therapist must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of patients/clients. Performing successfully as a student physical therapist involves completing significant intellectual, social and physical tasks throughout the curriculum. Students must master a broad array of basic knowledge, skills, and behaviors, including abilities in the areas of judgment, integrity, character, professional attitude and demeanor. To master these skills and behaviors, candidates/students must possess, at a minimum, abilities and skills in observation, communication, motor function, intellectual-conceptualization, behavioral and social skills. These abilities and skills comprise the categories of UToledo physical therapy program’s ‘Essential Functions of a Physical Therapy Student for Matriculation, and Graduation’ which are further described and defined in the Student Handbook located on the DPT program website.

The essential functions provide information to allow a candidate to make an informed decision for application and are a guide to accommodation of students with disabilities. Academic adjustments can be made for disabilities in some instances, but a student must be able to perform the essential functions of the physical therapy program independently either with or without reasonable accommodation. 

In adopting these standards, the UToledo physical therapy program believes it must keep in mind the ultimate safety of both students and patients who may be involved in the course of a student’s education. The essential functions reflect what the physical therapy program believes are reasonable expectations for physical therapy students learning and performing patient care.

PHYT 5000Gross Anatomy5
PHYT 5350Introduction to Examination2
PHYT 5050Analysis of Movement I2
PHYT 5020Lifespan I2
PHYT 5060Analysis of Movement II3
PHYT 5110Clinical Pathophysiology I3
PHYT 5130Evidence Based Practice4
PHYT 6460Teaching and Learning2
PHYT 5450Foundations of Physical Therapy2
PHYT 5270Applied Exercise Physiology3
PHYT 5090Neuroscience5
PHYT 5280Therapeutic Interventions I2
PHYT 5750Clinical Reasoning1
PHYT 5300Principles of Therapeutic Exercise2
PHYT 5900Medical Imaging2
PHYT 5290Therapeutic Interventions II2
PHYT 5120Clinical Pathophysiology II1
PHYT 5650Pharmacology of Physical Therapy1
PHYT 5850Clinical Education Experience I3
PHYT 6020Lifespan II2
PHYT 6260Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Physical Therapy3
PHYT 6500Musculoskeletal Rehab I3
PHYT 6510Musculoskeletal Rehab II3
PHYT 6600Neuromuscular Rehab I3
PHYT 6610Neuromuscular Rehab II3
PHYT 6620Pediatric Rehabilitation2
PHYT 6100Health Promotion2
PHYT 6700Professional Issues1
PHYT 6740Clinical Seminar I2
PHYT 6750Clinical Seminar II2
PHYT 6850Clinical Education Experience II5
PHYT 7050Practice Management2
PHYT 7320Medical Screening1
PHYT 7890Clinical Education Experience III4
PHYT 7900Clinical Education Experience IV6
Select one of the following sets:4
Scholarly Project I
Special Topics in Physical Therapy I
Scholarly Project II
Special Topics in Physical Therapy II
Total Hours95

This three year full-time degree includes integrated clinical experiences and internships as well as a scholarly project.

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
PHYT 5000 Gross Anatomy 5
PHYT 5350 Introduction to Examination 2
PHYT 5050 Analysis of Movement I 2
 Hours9
Second Term
PHYT 5450 Foundations of Physical Therapy 2
PHYT 6460 Teaching and Learning 2
PHYT 5110 Clinical Pathophysiology I 3
PHYT 5130 Evidence Based Practice 4
PHYT 5060 Analysis of Movement II 3
 Hours14
Third Term
PHYT 5270 Applied Exercise Physiology 3
PHYT 5280 Therapeutic Interventions I 2
PHYT 5300 Principles of Therapeutic Exercise 2
PHYT 5750 Clinical Reasoning 1
PHYT 5900 Medical Imaging 2
PHYT 5090 Neuroscience 5
 Hours15
Fourth Term
PHYT 5020 Lifespan I 2
PHYT 5290 Therapeutic Interventions II 2
PHYT 5120 Clinical Pathophysiology II 1
PHYT 5650 Pharmacology of Physical Therapy 1
PHYT 6170
Scholarly Project I
or Special Topics in Physical Therapy I
2
PHYT 5850 Clinical Education Experience I 3
 Hours11
Fifth Term
PHYT 6260 Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Physical Therapy 3
PHYT 6020 Lifespan II 2
PHYT 6500 Musculoskeletal Rehab I 3
PHYT 6600 Neuromuscular Rehab I 3
PHYT 6740 Clinical Seminar I 2
PHYT 7050 Practice Management 2
 Hours15
Sixth Term
PHYT 6180
Scholarly Project II
or Special Topics in Physical Therapy II
2
PHYT 6100 Health Promotion 2
PHYT 6510 Musculoskeletal Rehab II 3
PHYT 6610 Neuromuscular Rehab II 3
PHYT 6750 Clinical Seminar II 2
PHYT 6620 Pediatric Rehabilitation 2
 Hours14
Seventh Term
PHYT 6850 Clinical Education Experience II 5
PHYT 7890 Clinical Education Experience III 4
PHYT 7320 Medical Screening 1
PHYT 6700 Professional Issues 1
 Hours11
Eighth Term
PHYT 7900 Clinical Education Experience IV 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours95
  • PLO 1. Students will demonstrate the requisite knowledge and skills to practice safely and effectively as entry-level physical therapists.
  • PLO 2. Students and graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills and professional behavior when interacting with patients, families, professional colleagues, and the public.
  • PLO 3. Students and graduates will practice in a legal, ethical, and fair manner.
  • PLO 4. Students and graduates will demonstrate a commitment to the profession through advocacy and community service.
  • PLO 5. Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and professional development opportunities.