Prerequisite Courses

To meet accreditation requirements and create the high-performance learning environment our students seek, we set a high bar for our applicants.

To be considered for our program, you must:

• Complete a baccalaureate degree in any field at a regionally accredited US or Canadian institution
• Earn a recommended cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Complete and submit an online application
• Submit at least three letters of recommendation (see online application)
• Submit your scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Submit your TOEFL scores if you’re an international student (see additional requirements for international students)
• Earn 44 hours of credit in the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher before entering the program

Prerequisite Courses

We’ve listed Texas Common Course numbers here as a guide. To be certain about course equivalencies, ask your academic adviser, visit tccns.org, or contact the UT Southwestern Admissions Office. You can also contact our pt.sshp@utsouthwestern.edu for a transcript evaluation that will help you determine what courses you need.

• Mathematics

  Algebra or higher | 3 Credit Hours

  • MATH 1342

  Statistics | 3 Credit Hours

  • Any statistics class that includes hypothesis testing may satisfy this admission requirement
• Natural Sciences

  All science classes must be for science majors and include a laboratory component.

  General Chemistry with Laboratory | 8 Credit Hours

  • CHEM 1411 and 1412

  Physics | 8 Credit Hours

  • PHYS 1401 and 1402

  General Biology | 8 Credit Hours

  • BIOL 1406 and 1407

  Human Anatomy and Physiology | 8 Credit Hours

  • BIOL 2401 and 2402 or equivalent upper-division course. Must include all body systems; not satisfied by Exercise Physiology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

  General Psychology | 3 Credit Hours

  • PSYC 2301

  Abnormal or Developmental Psychology | 3 Credit Hours

  • PSYC 2314; not satisfied by Child Psychology
• Recommended Courses

  Medical Terminology | 1-3 Credit Hours

  • Lower or upper division course

  Exercise Physiology | 3 Credit Hours

  • Upper division course

Special Notes about Prerequisites

Here are some important points to remember about prerequisite courses.

1. Time limits. There is no time limit on prerequisite coursework. However, we recommend that your anatomy and physiology courses be taken within the last five years.
2. Community colleges. It’s fine to take prerequisite courses at a community college as long as the description of each course closely matches the prerequisite description.
3. Applying before prerequisites are completed. You may apply and interview for admission even if you haven’t completed all of the prerequisite courses. If you have prerequisite coursework in progress, enter the courses in the Supplemental Application along with the semester you plan to take them. If we offer you a position in an incoming class, it will be conditional until you’ve completed all courses. We recommend completing most of your prerequisite courses before you apply.
4. Transfers. We don’t accept direct transfers from other Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.