Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Physical Therapy Program?
Where can I fulfill the prerequisite
requirements?
What is the length of the physical
therapy program?
Will observation or volunteer
hours in health areas other than in a physical therapy department
be counted toward admission requirements?
How do I get an interview?
What GRE score do you require?
I am in college. How can I best prepare?
Does it matter where I went to school as an undergraduate?
Do Nevada State residents get preference?
Are scholarships available?
Can I work while I am in PT school?
Can I go to PT school part-time?
Does my degree in physical therapy allow me
to practice physical therapy?
What If I have a disability?
What is the passing rate for UNLV graduates on the Physical Therapy Licensure Exam?
In what area of study should I get my Bachelors of Science Degree?
Do I need to do volunteer work in a hospital as well as outpatient clinic, and how many hours are needed?
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
Where can I go for my clinical rotations while I am in Physical Therapy School?
I have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 but my GPA on my prerequisites is 3.0, can I still apply?
What is the Physical Therapy Program?
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is an entry-level Doctoral program. This means that students must have a Bachelors Degree and have completed all of the pre-requisites prior to admission. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree and will be eligible to take the national licensure exam for physical therapists.
Where can I fulfill the prerequisite requirements?
You may complete the prerequisite requirements at any accredited community college, or university. However, it is recommended that the majority of the science and math prerequisites be completed at the University level. For advising questions on prerequisite courses please contact the Advising center first (895-5448). If you have further questions, after consulting the advising center, you can direct them to the chair of the admissions committee, Dr. Daniel Young at 895-2704 or daniel.young@unlv.edu.
What is the length of the physical therapy program?
The professional program is 3 years in length. This includes didactic coursework and clinical requirements.
Will observation or volunteer hours in health areas other than in a physical therapy department be counted toward admission requirements?
No, only the hours spent observing or volunteering in a physical therapy department (e.g., hospital or outpatient) will be counted toward the hours required for admissions.
The admissions committee will evaluate your application, grades, test scores, personal statement, recommendations and observation or volunteer hours in a physical therapy department. You will then be notified if you are to have an interview.
What GRE score do you require?
We prefer a composite score of 1000 or higher in the verbal and quantitative sections and a 4.0 in the writing section. However, each application is considered on a case-by-case basis for this category. You can take the GRE as many times as you need to obtain these scores. We will take the highest score and not an average. We recommend that the GRE be taken prior to the December testing date.
I am in college. How can I best prepare?
First , examine the courses you have previously taken to determine which ones could be credited towards completing our prerequisites. If you are unsure which courses to choose, please contact the advising center (702 895-5448). Second, complete the necessary coursework to earn a baccalaureate degree in the field of your choice. Third, if you have not had volunteer work or observation experience in a physical therapy department, please make plans to do so.
Does it matter where I went to school as an undergraduate?
No, you may complete your undergraduate work at any accredited institution. If you have taken courses out of the United States as an undergraduate or if you are a citizen of another country, you must apply as an international student.
Do Nevada State residents get preference?
Yes, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a State School, therefore preference is given to residents of the State of Nevada. However, this does not imply that Nevada residents receive automatic acceptance. Admission to Physical Therapy Programs is fairly competitive and all completed applications are processed. Consequently, several out-of-state students receive admission into the Program. Nevada residency of graduate students is in accordance with the regulations of the Board of Regents and the laws of the State of Nevada. A full statement of the regulations is available in the Graduate College.
Yes, several scholarships are available to first and second year students through the Department of Physical Therapy. Second year students are also eligible for graduate assistantships. Contact the Financial Services office for more information (702) 895-3424.
Can I work while I am in PT school?
Due to the time intensive nature of the Program, outside employment is discouraged.
Can I go to PT school part-time?
No. This is a 3 year, full-time program.
Does my degree in physical therapy allow me to practice physical therapy?
No. The degree is a requirement to sit for the state licensure examination. Once the licensure examination has been passed, you are entitled to practice physical therapy in that state.
See the enclosed statement on Essential Tasks for Admission and/ or contact the Disability Resource Center (702) 895-0866 for information concerning disabilities and reasonable accommodations.
What is the passing rate for UNLV graduates on the Physical Therapy Licensure Exam?
Since the program started in 1998 every student that has graduated from the program has passed the licensure exam.
In what area of study should I get my Bachelors of Science Degree?
Many students receive a degree in Kinesiology or Exercise Science to fulfill the prerequisites for Physical Therapy School; however, you can get your degree in any area of study as long as you meet the minimum requirements needed to apply.
Do I need to do volunteer work in a hospital as well as outpatient clinic, and how many hours are needed?
The minimum amount of volunteer work needed is 100 hours. Observation must be
in 2 or more different types of physical therapy settings (e.g. pediatric and orthopedic, rather than 2 different orthopedic settings).
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
Currently, approximately 30 students are accepted per year.
Where can I go for my clinical rotations while I am in Physical Therapy School?
The school has contracts with a plethora of clinics around the U.S. In addition, out of the four rotations, you may able to set up one of your choosing.
I have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 but my GPA on my prerequisites is 3.0, can I still apply?
Yes, the minimum requirement for your overall undergraduate GPA is 2.75 and 3.0 on your prerequisites. Last year the average GPA was 3.5 among those students admitted to the program.Back to top of page
