Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • What is there to do in Stephenville?
    • Stephenville is a charming small town where a vibrant college atmosphere meets outdoor adventures, all infused with authentic Texas culture. Tarleton offers a dynamic student life on campus, including a variety of intramural sports.
  • How long is the program?
    • 3-years (9 semesters), 114 credits
  • When does the program begin?
    • Classes begin in June of each year.
  • What type of learning model does the program use?
    • The Tarleton DPT Program uses a competency-based education model.
  • What is competency-based education?
    • Competency-based education (CBE) focuses on students mastering specific skills and knowledge required for clinical practice, rather than progressing through traditional time-based coursework. Students advance upon demonstrating proficiency in key competencies, ensuring readiness for real-world clinical settings.
  • What is the format of your DPT program?
    • The Tarleton DPT program is primarily face-to-face with some virtual content. 
  • What is a cohort program?
    • Tarleton admits one group of students annually. This group of students completes the same courses throughout the 3-year program.
  • Is the Tarleton DPT Program accredited?
    • CAPTE Statement
      • Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. 
      • Tarleton State University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE.  The Program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on November 1, 2025.  Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status.  Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the [professional] phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved.  Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation. 
      • Definition of Candidate for Accreditation: Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status, awarded prior to enrollment of students in the professional phase of the program, which indicates that the physical therapy education program is making satisfactory progress toward and likely to attain full accreditation. All credits and degrees earned and issued by a program holding candidacy are considered to be from an accredited program. 
  • What elective courses are offered?
    • Tarleton State is proud to offer a course in Lifestyle Medicine that serves as a starting for students seeking to obtain a Lifestyle Medicine Certification upon becoming a licensed professional.  This course is formally approved by Lifestyle Medicine to meet the required credentials to receive credit toward certification and serves as the “Academic Pathway Waiver”.
    • Electives offered will be based on faculty expertise, availability, and student interest.
  • Do you accept transfer credits?
    • Tarleton State University DPT program does not accept transfer credit from other physical therapy programs or other graduate level course work.  

Prerequisite Requirements

  • How old can prerequisite coursework be?
    • All letter-graded prerequisite coursework is acceptable, regardless of when it was completed. Recent knowledge of the prerequisite content will prepare you for the success in the DPT program.
  • Can I complete prerequisite coursework at a community college?
    • Yes. Courses taken at an accredited community college are acceptable.
  • Do prerequisite courses need to be completed before applying?
    • No. Applicants can submit an application including in-progress coursework and still be considered for the current admission cycle. However, all prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation in June.
  • Does Tarleton offer any of the prerequisite courses?
    • Yes. Tarleton offers all of the prerequisite courses.
  • How do I know if a course I have taken satisfies a prerequisite requirement?
    • Please contact the advising/counseling office at your academic institution for information about prerequisite course information and whether a specific course meets a prerequisite requirement.

Application Information

  • When should I apply?
    • Due to the limited number of seats and our rolling admissions process applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early in the cycle. To be considered for our first interview day, applicants should have the application and supporting documents submitted by October 1.
  • What degree do I need to have in order to enroll in the DPT program?
    • A bachelor’s degree, at a minimum, is needed to enroll. A student may apply before the bachelor’s degree is completed, but enrollment in the DPT program cannot occur until the bachelor’s degree is awarded.
  • What is the minimum GPA?
    • 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the most recent 60 hours
  • What is the minimum grade required for prerequisites?
    • All course prerequisites must have a grade of C or better. Grades of pass are acceptable.
  • Are observation hours required?
    • Observation hours are not required, but they are highly recommended.
  • Is the GRE required?
    • The GRE is optional.
    • Official GRE score reports must be sent to PTCAS if you choose to include them in your application. The Tarleton DPT Program GRE code is 1754. After sending these items to PTCAS you do NOT need to submit them to Tarleton as well.
  • What documents are required to apply to the Tarleton DPT Program?
  • How many letters of recommendation are required?
    • The DPT program requires two (2) letters of recommendation. It is preferred that one is from a licensed physical therapist. Letters may be accepted from a faculty member, employer, advisor, volunteer-work coordinator, etc.
  • What are the fees for the PTCAS application?
    • The fee for the PTCAS Application varies based on the number of schools you apply to as well as your submission date.

Admissions Information

  • Do you prefer Texas applicants?
    • Texas students are not necessarily preferred, but students from rural areas who plan to work in rural settings are welcomed.
  • Do you accept international students?
    • International applicants will not be considered for admission at this time.
  • How do I know if the Admissions Office has received my application and supporting documents?
    • Once you submit your online application and it has been verified through PTCAS, you will be sent an automated e-mail confirming your application has been received, along with instructions on how to pay your application processing fee online.
  • Are interviews required as part of the application process?
    • Yes. Formal interviews are conducted at the Stephenville campus beginning in October and continue on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.
  • When are decisions made on acceptance?
    • Decisions are made on a rolling basis, beginning in October and continuing until all seats are filled. All applicants should receive notification of a decision by May.
  • Who can I contact for more information about Tarleton DPT admissions?

What If I am Accepted?

  • Is financial aid available?
  • How much is tuition?
  • Will I be able to work while enrolled in the program?
    • Students are generally discouraged from working due to the intense study and time required for successful graduation. There are opportunities on campus for student work with limited hours.  
  • Can I attend the program part-time?
    • No. All students must enroll on a full-time basis.
  • Does the program have a Technical Standards policy for enrollment?
  • Once enrolled, can I choose where I go for my clinical rotations?
    • Students are required to provide preferences for clinical rotations including geographical location and special interests. However, clinical rotations are ultimately assigned based on site availability, specialty exposures, and professional and personal needs.
  • How much time is spent in clinical education?
    • Students complete 31 weeks of full-time clinical education during the third year of the curriculum. This includes two 8-week clinical experiences and one 15-week clinical experience. Students also complete interprofessional experiences during their first year and integrated experiences during their second year. The curriculum intentionally embeds experiential learning opportunities throughout the program, ensuring that hands-on experiences seamlessly integrate with classroom instruction to enhance clinical competency.