Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I take classes at a community college?

We accept credits from any accredited school in the US or Canada. The grade received is far more important than the school attended. Community colleges tend to be more convenient for those who are working while completing their prerequisite work.

2. How many volunteer hours do I need to qualify for admission?

UNC does not require a specific amount of hours for volunteer work. Emphasis is placed on the applicant's ability to speak intelligently about what they've observed during those hours. Applicants are advised to job shadow/ volunteer at a number of different settings (ex. nursing homes, private practice clinics, out-patient rehab, etc.) to learn about the variations in these aspects of Physical Therapy.

3. I am an international student who would like to study Physical Therapy at UNC, what can I do?

International students are required to complete all prerequisite work at an accredited school in the US or Canada. They are also required to take the GRE to be considered for admissions.

4. Who can write my letters of recommendation?

There are no specifications for the letters of recommendation. We would prefer one to be written by a Physical Therapist; however, it is not required. Applicants should pick those who know them best and can speak to their capabilities. this does not include family members, but can include employers, supervisors, and those in advisory roles.

5. Is there a part-time program for Physical Therapy?

No, there is no part-time program offered at UNC. This is a very strenuous curriculum that is covered over 3 calendar years. Students are generally in class ~30-35 hours each week. Additional time is needed for group projects, lab review, and clinical practice.

6. What is the preferred undergraduate major for Physical Therapy?

There is no preferred undergraduate major for Physical Therapy. The only required work is the list of prerequisite courses. We are interested in a diverse applicant pool and consider students with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds.

7. Can I make a substitution for a prerequisite course?

General Biology, General Chemistry, Physics, and General Psychology can not be substituted as they are usually prerequisites for higher level courses. If there is a question in regards to course content, we ask that a copy of the course description be submitted. A decision will be rendered in a relatively quick amount of time.

Understand that the prerequisite courses have been established to ensure that every student has the basic foundation necessary to enter the program. Some classes are too broad and some are too narrow in their focus and content, and thus unacceptable substitutes. Also, know that major requirements are irrelevant to our prerequisite requirements. We will not make exceptions because of curriculum conflicts. It is the student's responsibility to make the necessary adjustments.

8. What happens if I have not completed all the prerequisites?

All prerequisites have to be completed by the end of the semester in which you apply. Exceptions will no longer be made. If you apply during Fall 2009, your prerequisites would have to be completed by Dec. 2009.

9. What are the costs for the program?

Click here (page 5) for tuition and fees for both in-state and out of state. Tuition is subject to change every year based on recommendations submitted by the board of trustees and final decisions are made by the Legislature.

10. What is the average GPA?

Click here for the most recent admission statistics.

11. How do I know if my prerequisites are acceptable?

Please review the UNC course descriptions for the prerequisite courses. If the course description for your class is similar but the course has a different name, it is acceptable. You can also check the following equivalency list. It matches community college courses to UNC courses- http://www.admissions.unc.edu/pdf/nccc_course_equivalency_list.pdf

12. I received AP credit for a class on the prerequisite list, will this class still count?

You will receive credit for that course; however, you will not have a grade that can be posted

13. I have already graduated and am having a hard time finding an Exercise Physiology course, what can I do?

The US Sports Academy teaches an online course for Exercise Physiology that we will accept. The course call name and number are- SAR 520 Exercise Physiology. It can be found at www.ussa.edu