School of Public Health and Health Professions
501 Kimball TowerSouth Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3079
Sue Ann Sisto
Rehabilitation Science Department Chair
Kirkwood Personius
Program Director
Juli Wylegala
Director of Clinical Education
Douglas Frye
Associate Director of Clinical Education
MaryAnn Venezia
Program Coordinator
Associated Subjects
Becoming a Physical Therapy (DPT) Student
Students may enter the Doctor of Physical Therapy professional graduate program in one of three ways:
Freshmen students follow the Exercise Science BS – Pre-Physical Therapy concentration curriculum and apply to the DPT program during their third year of study to earn the 3 + 3 combined Exercise Science BS / DPT degree. UB students may also complete all 4 years of Exercise Science to earn their Exercise Science BS before applying to the DPT program (4 + 3 option). Select high school students may be admitted into the Early Assurance Program:
Undergraduate transfer students may enter the Exercise Science program, complete the Exercise Science curriculum, and then apply to the DPT program.
Students who have an earned bachelor’s or higher degree which includes equivalent prerequisite coursework may apply directly to the DPT program.
Undergraduate Exercise Science majors who are members of the University Honors College are guaranteed acceptance to the Doctorate Physical Therapy program as long as they maintain eligibility to be in good standing with the Honors College and meet the necessary admissions requirements for the DPT program, including minimum GRE scores and prerequisite GPA of 3.500 or higher. Students in the Honors College must apply to the DPT program and submit their completed application by the stated deadline.
Becoming a University at Buffalo Student
Admission to UB is based on a holistic review. We consider high school average, class rank (where applicable), strength of the high school academic record and SAT or ACT scores, if applicable. UB supports SUNY’s decision to temporarily suspend SAT and ACT requirements for admissions. This temporary change of admissions eligibility requirements applies to the spring 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022, fall 2022, spring 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024 cycles. A personal essay, recommendations, documented creative talent, demonstrated leadership, community service and special circumstances are also considered.
The following is not required for admission, but is suggested as adequate preparation for university-level coursework:
- Four years of English (with a substantial writing component).
- Four years of social studies.
- Three years of college-preparatory science.
- Three years of a second language.
- Three years of college-preparatory mathematics.
Visit Undergraduate Admissions to learn more.
Freshman Admission to the Program
Freshman are not permitted entrance to this program.
Transfer Admission to the Program
The Department of Rehabilitation Science does not differentiate between transfer and non-transfer students seeking admission into the DPT program. For transfer students, the general education required courses may be different from those of non-transfer students, but all other prerequisite requirements and admission criteria are the same.
Students seeking to transfer from other institutions should apply to the university and the Exercise Science program. Students’ transfer courses will be evaluated and advisement for completion of the lower and upper division prerequisites will be available.
Current UB Students Applying to the Program
Students interested in physical therapy should select the pre-physical therapy track of the Exercise Science program. To be eligible for this track, students must have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.000 and all grades in the prerequisite courses must be at least a C.
In the junior year of exercise science, students must complete the online PT-CAS application to the DPT program; the application must be submitted no later than November 1. If accepted, students begin the DPT program, in the Department of Rehabilitation Science, in the following fall semester.