Note:  Deadline for applications has changed.  Deadline is now October 1, 2021 for the PTCAS application and the UK Supplemental application.

To be eligible for application to the Physical Therapy Education Program:

1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree prior to the start of the PT program with a minimum GPA from all college course work of 2.75 or above. To be competitive, a student should:
   • Establish an overall GPA of > 3.2
   • Establish a science prerequisite GPA > 3.4
   • A combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 290 or greater is recommended by the Physical Therapy Division. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 or higher will be more competitive

Specific Physical Therapy Academic Requirements:

1. Two semesters General Physics with labs – equal to that taken by Science majors (8-10 semester credits is required) (At UK: PHY 211 and 213)
2. Two semesters General Chemistry with labs – equal to that taken by Science majors (8-10 semester credits is required) (At UK: CHE 105, 111, 107, 113)
3. Two semesters general Biology, animal biology or zoology with laboratory - equal to that taken by Science majors (8-10 semester credits is required). Botany, ecology or entomology are not acceptable. One combined Anatomy/Physiology course is not acceptable. A two semester sequence of Anatomy and Physiology in the Kentucky Community & Technical College system or any other university is acceptable as ONE of the TWO required biology courses. (At UK: BIO 150 & 151, 152 & 153 or the new sequence of BIO 148,152,155 and one more upper level animal biology course with lab)

In order to make sure the courses you take to fulfill these requirements are equivalent to the above UK courses, review the transfer equivalency webpage located here:  https://www.uky.edu/registrar/transfer-equivalency

Note: The above Science courses must be Science major or pre-med level and be a minimum of four semester credits including the lab portion. Students should have three of the six science prerequisites (courses listed above) completed by the deadline in the semester during which the application is being submitted. With the Covid-19 virus causing changes in grading throughout the country, be aware that the University of Kentucky will accept pass/fail grades of pass for credit of having taken the above science prerequisites. We calculate a science prerequisite GPA, so if the course is taken pass/fail and you pass, you will receive credit for taking the course, but it will not contribute to the GPA we calculate.  We recommend you take these science prerequisites for a letter grade to better demonstrate your academic ability. 

Required courses to be completed prior to starting the PT education program (these are not required to be completed prior to application:

1. Two semesters of Psychology (general and developmental are preferred)
2. One semester of Statistics -minimum of three credits including: (BST 230, PSY 215+216, or STA 296)
   • Calculations of central tendency
   • Measures of variability
   • Hypothesis testing
   • Business Statistics and Psychological Statistics are acceptable if they include the above.
3. One semester of Medical Terminology (minimum of two credits, three credits preferred).
4. Oral Communication (three credits)

 Note: A grade of “C” or better is required in all the Pre-Professional courses listed above.

If you have questions about whether a course will fulfill these requirements, contact the College of Health Sciences academic advisors (859-218-0546). See the website Advising page.

University of Kentucky UK Core Requirements:

Please access the description of the University of Kentucky’s “general educational” requirements called the UK Core (http://www.uky.edu/UGE/curriculum.html).

If when you apply to the program you are concerned that you will not receive credit for a course, include a course description with your application for consideration of appropriate courses.

Recommended courses:

1. One semester of Comparative or Human anatomy. This is strongly recommended to help prepare you for Human Gross Anatomy in the PT program.
2. Courses in Mathematics and computer keyboarding are recommended among elective course work.
3. College algebra is a perquisite for most college Physics courses.
4. Upper Division Biology, chemistry and Physics courses are recommended to give students a strong science preparation for the PT program.
5. One semester of Exercise Physiology

 Graduate Records Exam (GRE): The GRE is required for application and you should request scores be sent to PTCAS and the UK Physical Therapy Program (PT Department Code # 7753). The minimum score for the GRE is 290 on the combined Verbal and Quantitative sections (a score of 300 or above is more competitive). See the GRE website for more information. We continue to require the GRE and expect you will be able to sit for the GRE prior to the deadline of Oct. 1 2021.  If the GRE is not available in summer and fall, we will make adjustments to the application requirements. 

Certifications required upon start to the program:

• Certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for adults, children, and infants by the American heart Association for the Health Professional or the American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer is required to participate in clinical education which begins in the second year. The Community CPT Course offered by the American Red Cross is not acceptable. It is recommended that the applicant complete this requirement before entering the program.
• Certification in First Aid by the American Red Cross is required in clinical education which begins in the second year. This requirement must be completed before entry to the program.

 Volunteer Requirement: Documentation of knowledge of the physical therapy profession obtained through work or volunteer hours in a physical therapy setting, or through research is required. Experience/knowledge in more than one setting (acute hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation hospital, pediatric setting, etc.) will result in a more competitive application. Although there is no required minimum, typical applicants average between 50- 100 hours depending on the year of application. A variety of different physical therapy experiences across the age continuum from child to adult and across a continuum of PT delivery models (acute care, rehab, and outpatient) will strengthen an application.  This requirement is important for you to understand how and where physical therapy is provided, however, it may be difficult in the summer and fall of 2021 to obtain these hours.  It is highly recommended that you research physical therapy delivery to better understand how and where physical therapy is provided.  The APTA website is a good resource (apta.org).

 Availability to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Committee is expected. Interviews are granted to those applicants determined most qualified by the Admissions Committee. Interview dates for the admissions process for 2021-2022 cycle are: Lexington campus – December 1 & 3  2021 and Hazard campus – December 6, 2021.  

 International students must meet the University of Kentucky graduate school International Teaching Assistant standards regarding English proficiency, have an awarded 4 year university level degree and submit all required application materials in addition to meeting the Physical Therapy Program requirements. This includes a written and spoken English language exam (either the TOEFL with a TOEFL iBT score of 26 or above or the IELTS with a speaking test score of 7 or above). Please see specific information on the web at: http://www.uky.edu/IntlAffairs/

Students should be aware that admissions requirements for the PT Program are constantly being evaluated and may, at any time, be changed. Students preparing to apply to the program are advised to check regularly with the College of Health Sciences academic advisors (CHS-Advising@uky.edu) or the program office regarding admission requirements.

 INTERVIEWS: Students admitted to the professional program are selected on a competitive basis. A limited number of applicants will be invited for interviews prior to the final selection. The Admissions committee will consider the quality of the overall GPA, academic performance in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (key GPA) and your Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. The personal interview is evaluated in areas such as:

1. Experience and knowledge of the profession
2. Evidence of initiative and motivation
3. Evidence of leadership and responsibility
4. Communication skills, both verbal and written
5. Demonstrated service orientation
6. Professional potential