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The UAMS Doctor of Physical Therapy Program fosters lifelong learning by emphasizing critical thinking, competency-based education with clinical application of knowledge and evidence-based medicine. Graduates of the program will be prepared to enter into any aspect of physical therapy, with the ability to serve any community and contribute to the profession through transformative leadership, education, and service.

Following a holistic admissions process, 28 students are invited each year to join the program beginning each August. The program consists of 121 credit hours with a continuous enrollment of 34 months. A total of 36 weeks of full-time clinical rotations are integrated throughout the program, and part-time clinical experiences begin the first semester of the program.

The program utilizes a systems-based curriculum with a focus on active learning strategies, including the flipped classroom approach. Student success resources are available for all students including peer tutoring, academic coaching, and student success workshops throughout the first year of the program to assist students with the transition into graduate school.

Student Outcomes

  • Ultimate Pass Rate on NPTE (2022, 2023): 100%
  • First-time Pass Rate on NPTE (2022, 2023): 96%
  • Graduation Rate (2022, 2023): 95.9%
  • Employment Rate (2022, 2023): 100%

Estimated Cost of the Program

Each cohort in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program consists of in-state and out-of-state students. Out-of-state waivers are available for all admitted students to apply, in addition to several college-level and department-level scholarships. Specific information on the estimated cost of the program can be found on the Cost of Program page.

Mission Statement

The mission of the UAMS Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to improve physical therapy services to the state of Arkansas and beyond by doing the following:

  • Educating students who will practice patient-centered physical therapy while embracing cultural diversity, ethical integrity, professionalism and collaboration with other members of the health care team
  • Contributing to the knowledge base of the profession of physical therapy and advancing evidence-based clinical practice
  • Providing patient care and services to the community and continuing education courses to physical therapy practitioners

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UAMS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 479-713-8600 or email ptprogram@uams.edu.

Contact the Department

Angel Holland, PT, DPT, Ed.D.
Chair and Associate Professor

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
UAMS Northwest Regional Campus
College of Health Professions
Department of Physical Therapy
1125 N. College Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703-1908
479-713-8600
479-713-8606 (fax)
ptprogram@uams.edu