This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the entry-level professional degree for physical therapists. Based on the number of outstanding applicants, approximately 50 students are annually enrolled in the DPT program.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be prepared to:
- examine, evaluate, treat, and prevent impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities;
- maintain and promote fitness, health, and quality of life; and
- ensure availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services to patients/clients.
As essential participants in the health care delivery system, graduates will be:
- prepared to assume leadership roles in prevention and health maintenance programs, in the provision of rehabilitation services, and in professional and community organizations; and
- able to play important roles in developing health policy and appropriate standards as well as assessing clinical outcomes for the various elements of physical therapy practice.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy requires a minimum of 104 s.h. and is completed in two and a half years. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.00.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Iowa is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Satisfactory completion of the professional program qualifies candidates to take the National Physical Therapy Exam for licensure to practice. The minimum passing score on the exam is the same in all jurisdictions.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree requires the following coursework.
First Year, Summer
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:5101 | Introduction to Physical Therapy Practice | 2 |
| PTRS:5102 | Principles of Physical Therapy I | 2 |
| PTRS:5205 | Health Promotion and Wellness | 3 |
First Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:5100 | Professional Issues and Ethics | 1 |
| PTRS:5103 | Principles of Physical Therapy II | 2 |
| PTRS:5209 | Surface Anatomy | 1 |
| PTRS:5210 | Kinesiology and Pathomechanics | 4 |
| PTRS:5212 | Human Pathology for the Physical Therapist | 3 |
| PTRS:5235 | Case-Based Learning I | 1 |
| PTRS:5790 | Integrated Clinical Education in Physical Therapy I | 1 |
| ACB:5108 | Human Anatomy | 5 |
First Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:5131 | Therapeutic Physical Agents | 2 |
| PTRS:5144 | Interprofessional Education I: Team-Based Approach to Health Care | 1 |
| PTRS:5201 | Musculoskeletal Therapeutics I | 3 |
| PTRS:5206 | Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics | 3 |
| PTRS:5215 | Applied Clinical Medicine | 2 |
| PTRS:5236 | Case-Based Learning II | 1 |
| PTRS:5791 | Integrated Clinical Education in Physical Therapy II | 1 |
| PTRS:6253 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
Second Year, Summer
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:6120 | Physical Therapy Management and Administration I | 2 |
| PTRS:6143 | Selected Topics in Physical Therapy Practice | 2 |
| PTRS:6176 | Pharmacology for Physical Therapists | 3 |
| PTRS:6793 | Integrated Clinical Education in Physical Therapy III | 3 |
Second Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:6122 | Psychosocial Aspects of Patient Care | 1 |
| PTRS:6134 | Physical Therapy Management of Integumentary System | 2 |
| PTRS:6145 | Interprofessional Education II: Communication, Teaching, and Learning | 1 |
| PTRS:6170 | Management of People With Prosthetic and Orthotic Needs | 2 |
| PTRS:6200 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTRS:6202 | Musculoskeletal Therapeutics II | 3 |
| PTRS:6224 | Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity in Health Care | 4 |
| PTRS:6237 | Community Outreach and Engagement I | 1 |
| PTRS:6250 | Critical Inquiry I: Evidence-Based Practice | 2 |
| One of these (with advisor approval): | 1 | |
| PTRS:7930 | Critical Thinking in Neuro-Mechanical Systems | 1 |
| PTRS:7931 | Critical Thinking in Pain | 1 |
| PTRS:7932 | Critical Thinking in Biomechanics and Human Performance Assessment | 1 |
| PTRS:7933 | Critical Thinking in Activity-Based Plasticity | 1 |
| PTRS:7934 | Critical Thinking in Neural Plasticity | 1 |
| PTRS:7935 | Critical Thinking in Movement Science | 1 |
| PTRS:7936 | Critical Thinking in Cardiovascular Physiology | 1 |
Second Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:6121 | Physical Therapy Management and Administration II | 1 |
| PTRS:6133 | Pain Mechanisms and Treatment | 2 |
| PTRS:6172 | Radiology/Imaging for Physical Therapists | 2 |
| PTRS:6173 | Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTRS:6203 | Musculoskeletal Therapeutics III | 4 |
| PTRS:6204 | Progressive Functional Exercise | 2 |
| PTRS:6225 | Neuromuscular Therapeutics | 3 |
| PTRS:6238 | Community Outreach and Engagement II | 1 |
| PTRS:6251 | Critical Inquiry II: Rehabilitation Research | 2 |
| PTRS:6792 | Integrated Clinical Education in Physical Therapy IV | 1 |
Third Year, Summer
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:6794 | Terminal Clinical Education in Physical Therapy I | 4 |
Third Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTRS:6252 | Critical Inquiry III: Clinical Application | 1 |
| PTRS:6795 | Terminal Clinical Education in Physical Therapy II | 4 |
| PTRS:6796 | Terminal Clinical Education in Physical Therapy III | 4 |
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website. They must have completed a baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, or anticipate completing the degree before enrolling in the DPT program. They must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 and must have completed the following prerequisite coursework, preferably with a GPA of at least 3.00.
All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. They must take the test early enough for their scores to be received prior to the application deadline.
Prerequisite Science Courses
All science courses should include the appropriate laboratory instruction, if available. The prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade. Credit awarded through advanced placement testing may be applied to the prerequisites as indicated below.
Biological Sciences
8 s.h. of introductory biology courses plus one advanced biology course, or AP biology credit plus 8 additional s.h. of biology including at least one advanced biology course, equivalent to 12 s.h.
Physiology
A systemic human physiology course, preferably with a lab component, equivalent to 3 s.h., or a two-course sequence of anatomy and physiology, preferably with a lab component, equivalent to 6 s.h., can fulfill the physiology and anatomy prerequisites.
Anatomy
Human or comparative vertebrate anatomy, preferably with a lab component, equivalent to 3 s.h., or a two-course sequence of anatomy and physiology, preferably with a lab component, equivalent to 6 s.h., can fulfill the physiology and anatomy prerequisites.
Physics
A complete introductory series equivalent to 8 s.h.
Chemistry
A complete introductory series equivalent to 8 s.h.
Psychology
The equivalent of 6 s.h. of psychology courses, or AP psychology credit plus one additional psychology course beyond the introductory level.
Mathematics
A college-level mathematics course at the level of trigonometry or higher, equivalent to 3 s.h., or AP credit.
Statistics
A statistical methods course equivalent to 3 s.h.
Applications
Applications are submitted online through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). PTCAS allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple physical therapy programs. Once the application portfolio is complete with PTCAS, they will forward it to the University of Iowa.
See Application Timeline on the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy website for the application timeline.
The physical therapy admissions committee requests personal, on-campus interviews. Since the number of students admitted into each class is limited, not all who apply for admission are invited for an interview.
Background Checks
Enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is contingent on a successful criminal background check. Drug screening may be required for some clinical rotations. These costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Expenses
Applicants admitted to the DPT program must make an advance tuition payment which is forfeited if the applicant does not enroll. In addition to paying University of Iowa tuition and fees plus departmental fees, students are assessed laboratory fees for the human anatomy and neuroanatomy courses and are responsible for purchasing supplies, such as lab coats. Students are also responsible for all costs associated with professional development and clinical experiences.
All students are required to comply with the pre-entry and periodic health screening program developed by Student Health in cooperation with University of Iowa Health Care. All costs incurred for the health screenings are the student's responsibility. Students are also required to have health insurance.
The employment outlook for physical therapy graduates is strong. Opportunities exist for professional practice in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based organizations. These include general or specialized hospitals, programs for children with disabilities, private physical therapy clinics, extended care facilities, nursing homes, community and governmental agencies, rehabilitation centers, the armed forces, foreign service, home health agencies, school systems, fitness centers, and athletic facilities. Teaching and research positions also are available as well as options for successful self-employment.
Physical therapists report a very high level of job satisfaction, driven both by prevalent employment opportunities and social interaction.