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UNC School of Medicine | Department of Health Sciences

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FAQs

We accept credits from any regionally accredited school in the U.S. or Canada, whether in-person or online. The grade received is far more important than the school attended. Community college or online courses tend to be more convenient for those who are working while completing their prerequisite work. Taking community college or online courses will not diminish an applicant’s chances of being accepted to our program.

50 hours of observing/shadowing a physical therapist are required. We recommend that observation/job shadowing be completed at a minimum of three different settings (with a minimum of 16 hours in at least three settings). Additional hours in other settings may be provided (whether they total more than 16 hours/setting or not) once this minimum is achieved. For more information, view the PTCAS definition of settings. For example, these settings can be obtained at a single location such as a large hospital.

International students are required to complete all prerequisite work at a regionally accredited school in the U.S. or Canada.

There are no specifications for the letters of recommendation. We require that at least one be written by a physical therapist. Applicants should pick those who know them best and can speak to their capabilities. This does not include family members or friends but can include employers, supervisors, professors, and those in advisory roles.

No, there is no part-time program offered. This is a very strenuous curriculum that is covered over three calendar years. Students are generally in class for around 30 hours per week. Additional time is needed for group projects, lab reviews, and clinical practice.

There is no preferred undergraduate major for physical therapy.

General biology, general chemistry, physics, and general psychology cannot be substituted as they are usually prerequisites for higher level courses. If there is a question in regard 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 academic 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.

Information about tuition and fees is available on the University Cashier website.

To access information about the DPT program, select the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Graduate and Professional Tuition and Fees. Look on the far left column to see the names of the different Schools. Scroll down the pages until you find the School of Medicine. Find “Campus Based” and see that the Doctor of Physical Therapy is listed there. Follow to the right.

These are tuition and fees for Fall and Spring only. The summer tuition is not yet available. However, the tuition (and fees) for the prior year can be found on the UNC Cashier website.

Review our Student Financial Fact Sheet (2025-2026)  for a financial breakdown of the DPT program based on statistics from our most recent graduating class.

View our most recent UNC DPT Admissions Stats.

PTCAS outlines its standardized set of GPA information about what GPAs include, exclude, and how +/- grades are evaluated on its website.

If the course description for your prerequisites class is similar in description but the course has a different name, it is acceptable. You can also check the following equivalency list.

You will receive credit for that course as long as it shows on your undergraduate transcript; however, that course cannot be considered in the GPA calculation.

Below are some options that previous students have found to complete this requirement. This information may change at any time. You will have to check with each institution about enrollment procedures.

The U.S. Sports Academy also teaches an online course for exercise physiology that we will accept. The course call name and number is SAR 320 Exercise Physiology and can be found on the USSA website. We will not accept CER 520.

Cal Berkeley Extension

MCELLBI X421-Exercise Physiology (three credit hours)
American Public University/American Military University

SPHE 314 – Exercise Physiology (three credit hours)

NC State University

HESM 478-601 Exercise Physiology and Sports Science

Concordia University – St Paul, Franklin University, and UNC Wilmington have online undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science which include exercise physiology classes. You will need to contact that department to see if non-degree students can take the course.

There are no time limits for prerequisite courses; however, it is advised that you audit a course that was taken more than 10 years ago.

Yes. The Division of Physical Therapy offers information sessions throughout the summer beginning in May. We are not able to offer any individual tours.

Yes. You must complete a supplemental application and pay both the PTCAS fee and an additional UNC-CH fee. This link will be emailed to you within three to four business days after you submit your application to UNC via PTCAS. The supplemental application will require you to answer state-mandated questions about military service, community standards, and residency.   If you wish to apply for residency for tuition purposes you must use the University of North Carolina’s Residency Determination Services.   To find out more information and to apply for residency, please click this link:  https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/home.

With the limited number of positions that can be offered to prospective physical therapy students, the program expects that students accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program will enroll in the year in which they are accepted. The program’s policy on deferral of admissions is provided here.

Military Student Admissions and Deferments

In accordance with state law, the University of North Carolina provides admissions deferments to members of the military and their spouses for the following:

  • Reserved Armed Forces: two-year minimum deferment period
  • Active Duty Armed Forces: five-year minimum deferment period
  • Students must request a deferment at least 30 days prior to enrollment
  • No applicant will be denied admission to the University solely based on military service or the intent to enter military service

Additionally, please not that the University offers in-state tuition to student veterans who meet the following criteria:

  • Served active duty for at least 90 days
  • Received an honorable discharge
  • Meet one of the following:
    • Served active duty with a permanent station in North Carolina for at least 90 consecutive days
    • Graduated from a North Carolina high school on or after January 1, 2024
    • Was awarded a Purple Heart

Student are responsible for providing documentation to verify eligibility.