Why Pick the UAMS Doctor of Physical Therapy Program?

A new program means new physical facilities and new equipment for teaching and research. We have over 14,000 square feet of newly renovated teaching and research space.

We have an on-site outpatient rehabilitation clinic that provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to the community. We also have an onsite inpatient State Veteran’s Home and pro bono student-led interprofessional clinic where faculty and students see patients on a regular basis.

Our students are admitted on both academic and non-academic factors such as communication skills, leadership, initiative, community service, and clinical experience.

We only accept 28 students per year. We have eight full-time faculty (plus adjuncts) that provide a low student-to-faculty ratio and more opportunities for individualized instruction.

We learn by doing, not by listening. The entire Doctor of Physical Therapy Program curriculum is built around the concept of active learning. We will flip the classroom and utilize problem-based and team-based learning.

Our on-site outpatient and inpatient facilities allow clinical education experiences every semester of the program. The first clinical experience starts in the first week of the program.

UAMS supports interprofessional education in the classroom and the clinic. You will learn with, from, and about other disciplines to create patient-centered health care teams.

Students will have some ownership of their education at UAMS by choosing two elective didactic courses and one full-time clinical internship elective.

Part of the mission of UAMS is to give back to the community. Each Doctor of Physical Therapy Program student must perform a minimum of 10 hours of service learning (of the student’s choice) every semester of the program.

Harvard psychiatrist John Ratey writes, “Exercise is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their learning.” Exercise enhances brain function at a fundamental level. We all need recess!

We also have an on-site fitness center available 24 hours a day at no extra cost.