Exploring Physical Therapy Programs in Colorado

Physical therapists play a vital role in helping individuals maximize their quality of life, working with people of all ages and abilities in various settings such as acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient offices. These movement experts focus on improving quality of life through hands-on care, exercise, and movement reeducation, providing care to individuals with injuries, illnesses, or other health-related conditions that limit their movement and ability to perform life activities. For those aspiring to join this rewarding profession, Colorado offers several pathways to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.

On-Campus DPT Programs

Currently, there are two on-campus DPT programs offered in Colorado: at Regis University and the University of Colorado.

Regis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Regis University's School of Rehabilitative and Health Sciences offers a full-time DPT program consisting of 110 credit hours of study, completed over eight consecutive semesters (including summers). The program incorporates 38 weeks of full-time clinical exposure. In addition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Regis University’s School of Rehabilitative and Health Sciences also includes a Residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and a Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Therapy.

Curriculum and Clinical Experience

The Regis DPT curriculum is cutting-edge, evidence-based, and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, preparing students to practice physical therapy in the 21st century. At Regis University, in addition to classroom education, students participate in 38 weeks of clinical experience. Students complete an initial six-week clinical rotation in the second year, followed by an eight-week experience, and conclude the program with two consecutive 12-week clinical rotations. Some students opt for a 24-week clinical rotation instead of two different 12-week rotations at the end of the program. The clinical component takes place off-campus in quality clinical settings across the country in three different concentration areas: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and complex systems.

Admissions

Applicants who appear best qualified for the DPT program will receive a written invitation for a faculty interview, specifying the date and time. It is the student's responsibility to arrange all other commitments to be available at the assigned time. Invited candidates have the opportunity to interview with faculty, attend class, tour campus, and meet current students.

Prerequisites and Application

Application for the class starting in Fall is available through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Go to ptcas.org for details. Applications must be e-submitted on or before the priority application deadline of November 1. Regis University does not require any additional fees, applications, or supplemental items once a PTCAS application has been submitted and verified. As part of the application process, applicants should submit official transcripts directly to PTCAS. Three electronic letters of recommendation are needed, sent directly to PTCAS on the standard PTCAS form. One letter must be completed by a licensed physical therapist, and one by a college-level faculty member. The third recommendation should be completed by either a second physical therapist, a second academic reference, or a professional reference. Regis University Physical Therapy GRE code is 7671. Applicants need to complete the General Test of the GRE which includes the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections. While Regis University does not require a specific number of hours, they expect candidates to have enough experience to serve as evidence of their commitment to the career choice of physical therapy. Any repeated courses will be factored into your Regis University prerequisite GPA as an average. All prerequisite course work must be completed before you begin the program in August.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the upcoming academic year is $1,066 per credit hour, with a total program credit requirement of 110. An enrollment deposit of $1,000 is required if admitted. Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance, which includes all expenses students may have, including basic living costs. Additional fees may include a student activity fee, application fee, lab fees, background check, and drug screen, among others. Regis offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and other programs to help students pay for school.

Additional Considerations

Regis University does not use religion as a criterion for admission. Additional consideration is given to applicants who complete the undergraduate Health and Exercise Science major or minor at Regis University, and/or come from a diverse background, have earned a graduate-level degree, or have earned an undergraduate degree from a Jesuit university.

University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program

The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program (CU Physical Therapy or CU PT) is administered by the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The program has a focus on research, education, and service related to physical therapy and rehabilitation science. The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program has established a tradition of excellence for over 70 years. The 2.5-year graduate professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree boasts superb faculty, a location on the state-of-the-art Anschutz Medical Campus, a commitment to the education of a diverse body of students, and a strong network of supportive alumni and clinical faculty. The PT Program educates competent, ethical physical therapists to assume the multi-faceted roles of clinical practitioner, patient manager, teacher, researcher, administrator, consultant, and advocate. The DPT degree requires completion of 116 credit hours, which includes 38 weeks of clinical education. Students complete and present a capstone project in year 3 before the final clinical internship. Upon successful completion of the PT Program, graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) in any state.

Program Pathways and Specializations

The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program is a 2.5-year program offered as both a residential and hybrid pathway. The academic program starts in the summer and continues for 8 consecutive semesters. Full-time and part-time clinical education experiences are interspersed throughout the first two years and begin as early as the second semester.

Read also: Understanding PE Content

Pediatric Residency Program: The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Pediatric Residency Program consists of planned post-professional clinical and didactic education for licensed physical therapists who have graduated from an accredited DPT program. In addition to clinical opportunities with structured mentorship, the program also includes participation in the Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program through JFK Partners, and access to the resources of the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
DPT-PhD Pathway: An interdisciplinary program educating future scientists. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus DPT-PhD pathway facilitates a viable educational plan for promising students with a strong interest in academic physical therapy and rehabilitation science. This collaborative dual degree pathway between the CU Physical Therapy Program and the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program provides an efficient approach to earning both the clinical doctorate and the research doctorate.
Orthopaedic Residency: The University of Colorado School of Medicine Physical Therapy Orthopaedic Residency in partnership with UCHealth is a structured, accredited, post-professional education program for licensed physical therapists who have graduated from an accredited DPT program. The orthopaedic residency will offer experiences in outpatient patient management through the UCHealth system and didactic as well as teaching experiences through the resources of the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program on the prestigious Anschutz Medical Campus. There is no tuition and residents earn a salary with a comprehensive benefits package.
Faculty Residency: The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Faculty Residency is a structured, accredited, post-professional education program for licensed physical therapists who have graduated from an accredited DPT program who aspire to an academic faculty position. The program is designed to significantly advance preparation of the physical therapist as a highly qualified educator and productive academic scholar. Potential as a future leader in physical therapist education develops through multiple teaching experiences, structured mentorship opportunities, and mentored educational scholarship throughout the program. The program also offers access to the resources of the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Hybrid DPT Program

The CU Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a collaboration between the Health Sciences Department in the Helen and Arthur E. In January, DPT program faculty and staff hosted an event at the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center (Hybl Center) for potential DPT students who had interviewed for a slot in the program (Class of 2026). The event provided an opportunity to see the campus, meet the faculty and learn about the program.

Historical Context

The CU Physical Therapy Program received its initial accreditation from the Council of Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association and the American Physical Therapy Association in 1947. Mary S. Lawrence served as the founding Program Director from 1947 to 1950. The leadership of Capt. Lawrence was followed by Dorothy Hoag (1950-1972), the program's longest serving director. Dr. Pauline Cerasoli assumed the role of Program Director and Assistant Dean of Allied Health in 1988 and led the effort to progress to a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy. The directorship of Dr. Carolyn B. Heriza (1996-2005) and Dr. Margaret Schenkman (2005-2019) marked a period of educational and research growth of the program. Dr. Michael Harris-Love became the Program Director and Associate Dean of Physical Therapy Education upon the retirement of Dr. Schenkman in 2019.

Hybrid DPT Programs

For those seeking more flexibility, some universities across the country offer the opportunity to complete a DPT degree online, with fewer on-campus requirements. When it comes to online offerings for your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree - options are going to be exclusively hybrid programs. This is because there are some things that you need to learn that cannot currently be taught online. So, you have your choice of programs that offer coursework online and then require you to come to campus at varying frequencies for lab/hands on components. Additionally, you will need to complete clinical placements, but programs will often be able to place you at a site near your home (always check first).

Considerations for Choosing a Program

There are various pros and cons to online and on-campus DPT programs, the best way to determine what matters most is to look at your own needs and learning styles. Need a program that allows you to squeeze coursework into pockets of free time? An asynchronous online program may be for you. Need a classroom environment to rid yourself of distractions?

DPT programs typically take two and a half to three years to complete.

Read also: The Importance of Seeding

Licensure in Colorado

To become a physical therapist in Colorado, one must get licensed. Make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations so that the state can issue your certification once you pass and check with the board to make sure you meet any additional requirements for licensure.

Additional Resources

Below is a list of accredited DPT education programs granted full accreditation or candidacy status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Students should be prepared to answer the following question in their personal statement for the 2026-2027 PTCAS Cycle: As a prospective Doctor of Physical Therapy, how do you see yourself having an impact on the profession upon entering the field?

tags: #physical #therapy #colleges #in #colorado #programs