1. What is the DPT?

The DPT is the preferred entry-level degree for all physical therapists. It is a clinical degree, like those awarded to  podiatrists and dentists. The American Physical Therapy Association would like more physical therapists to have clinical doctorate degrees and various PT programs have different focuses within their curriculum. Before applying to our program, compare the overall curriculum and program structure of each school in which you are interested. The degree granted upon graduation is determined by the institution, not the curriculum. Starting salaries are about the same for all entry-level physical therapists, regardless of degree. Hiring of entry-level physical therapists is based on the individual, letters of recommendation and the school they attended; not necessarily the degree earned.

2. How much does tuition cost?

The CUNY Board of Trustees determines tuition for all CUNY colleges. Tuition is based upon resident status and progression through the curriculum.  Estimated tuition for Non-New York State residents is $715 per credit for the first 1 1/2 years and $5,110 per semester thereafter.

For more information about current tuition and fees, please review the tuition schedule as outlined on http://www.gc.cuny.edu/Prospective-Current-Students/Prospective-Students/Tuition-Fees

3. Am I eligible for financial aid?

Once you are accepted into The DPT Program at the Graduate Center and Hunter College, you may contact the financial aid office at the Graduate Center, where detailed information is available. The Graduate Center participates in all New York State and Federal financial aid programs. Applicants seeking financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year as soon as possible after January 1st in the year you are seeking admission. Be sure to indicate The Graduate Center ID code (G04765) on your application.

The Physical Therapy program does hire students approved for Federal Work-Study. However, scholarships are not available at this time. To be eligible for financial aid during the summer of the first year of the Program, students can register and pay for an additional one-credit Weighted Instructional Unit (WIU).  Combined with the required courses, this will provide summer students with full-time status, and allow them to be eligible for financial aid.  Students must follow all instructions and sign the required promissory note before funds can be released.  The Financial Aid Office will not complete its verification of aid to incoming students until after registration for the first summer of the program has been processed.

4. Is housing available?

Housing is not available on the Brookdale Campus, where the Physical Therapy Program is located.  However, you should contact the Residence LIfe office of Hunter College (481-4310) or their website  the Residence Life website for assistance with locating housing.  You can also contact Hazlin Miller at the Graduate Center Admissions Office for assistance with locating housing.

5. What scores must I have on the GRE and the TOEFL?

Applicants who do not have a degree from an English-speaking country must obtain a passing grade on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). We also require the GRE, but do not have a specific cutoff score.  We use these scores, coupled with all application documents, to determine admission.

6. What percentage of DPT students pass the National Physical Therapy (licensure) examination?

Graduates of the Hunter College DPT curriculum consistently performed at or above the national average for passing the examination required for licensure.  Recently received data on graduates of our DPT  is provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy twice a year. Click here to download a summary page of our most recent graduates' performance.  

7. What is the environment like for students?

Our educational environment is one of the many positive aspects of our Program. Students work together and develop relationships that often last years after graduation.  Enrollment in the Program is capped at 28 students to ensure a high faculty to student ratio. Our classrooms are large enough to accommodate all students comfortably. Our two main classrooms have chairs in the front of the room and treatment tables in the rear. In this way, courses that include both lectures and laboratories are held within the same room, avoiding the necessity of going back and forth between separate classrooms.  We have two faculty members assigned to each course that includes a laboratory component.  You may download a floor plan of the physical therapy program here.

8. What kind of resources are available to students?

All DPT students have access to resources available at the Graduate Center of CUNY, Hunter's Brookdale Campus and Hunter's main campus on 68th Street. The Brookdale campus has a Health Professions Library, the Health Professions Education Center, and various computer labs, including one that is adjacent to the Physical Therapy Program. The PT Program classrooms and area all have wireless internet access.

9. I’m a licensed physical therapist. Do you have a post-professional DPT  program?

The Graduate Center/Hunter College Physical Therapy program is an entry-level, full-time DPT curriculum.  It is not a post-professional (transitional) DPT program for physical therapists who have entered the profession with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.  We do not provide a post-professional DPT program or part-time enrollment.

10. I'm an international student. What do I need to know about applying to the PT program?

Translations and evaluation of transcripts from colleges outside the U. S. must be completed early in the application process. The Admissions Office at The Graduate Center compiles the documents and issues the I–20 form.  Please refer to the graduate catalog or graduate application for more detailed information.  The Office of Student Affairs at the Graduate Center has excellent resources for assisting international students.  We suggest you go to their webpage on the Graduate Center website  http://www.gc.cuny.edu/admin_offices/admissions/intl_app.htm .

11. What if I'm a foreign-trained Physical Therapist?

If you are qualified to work as a physical therapist in another country, you may not need to apply to our program. Contact the New York State Board of Physical Therapy to determine if your education allows you to take the National Physical Therapy Examination.  For more information on licensure requirements in New York State, use this link (http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pt/ptlic.htm).

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) provides a service that assists foreign applicants whose educational credentials have not been found to be equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy in the United States. You can contact the commission for additional information at: FCCPT, 124 West Street South, 3rd Floor, Alexandria, VA  22314 or by phone at 703-684-8406.  If you are told you need additional coursework or supervised clinical experience in order to be qualified to take the National PT licensing examination, Hunter College does not have a mechanism for admitting part time students to complete this requirement.  As chair of the NY Physical Therapy Association Academic Administrators Special Interest Group, I questioned programs about providing part time enrollment for foreign trained PT's to receive eligibility for taking the National PT licensing examination.  All program director's attending indicated that they have had too many negative experiences in providing part time enrollment, and therefore no program in New York State currently offers this option.

Issues regarding foreign trained physical therapists applying for New York State licensure:

If someone has earned a degree in Physical Therapy in another country, the curriculum must be deemed equivalent to the education offered in the US.  If coursework is missing, it must be completed at an accredited physical therapy program and approved by the NYS Department of Education.  If clinical internships (supervised clinical affiliations) are lacking hours, these hours must be completed under the supervision of an accredited PT program in the US.  What some countries call physical therapy is the equivalent to physical therapist assistant work in the US.  

One possibility for completing supervised clinical affiliation hours may be in a physical therapy residency program that have been developed by some of the PT schools.  This possibility has not been explored by the NY State Education Department at this time, but it could be a solution. Any plan to meet any lacking requirements should be discussed  in advanced with the licensing agency. 

Another issue is the degree earned outside the US.  Since almost all US PT programs now issue a DPT degree (Doctor of Physical Therapy), the licensure laws may change to an education requirement of a master's or higher degree.  This will present significant problems since many non-US schools are still graduating physical therapists with only a bachelor's degree. 

A very serious issue for the foreign trained applicants is that as of Monday, July 12, 2010, those who graduate from schools in Egypt, India, Pakistan and the Philippines will not be able to take the National Physical Therapy Examination until a new examination is developed specifically for graduates of these programs. This is because of pervasive, on-going security breaches. For more information about this, see the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy web site at: www.fsbpt.org.

If you wish to become a licensed physical therapist in the U.S., you must apply to an accredited physical therapy program. The Graduate Center of CUNY DPT Program will require you to apply to and complete our entire curriculum. We do not waive courses from other colleges or universities. You must also complete 100 hours of clinical experience in the United States, Canada, Australia, or England.

12. Do you offer informational Open House events? When is the next event scheduled?

The Program Director holds informational sessions often during each semester. Each session covers the program, the prerequisites, and the admissions process, and will answer any other questions you may have regarding entry into the Graduate Center/Hunter College Program. For more information about our next open house, please refer to Events on this page.

13. Where do I submit my application and transcripts?

The admissions process is self-managed. Applicants must compile all supporting documents (official transcripts and letters of recommendation) and submit them with the completed written application in one large envelope. If you complete your application online, you must submit all supporting documents directly to:

The Graduate Center of CUNY
Office of Admissions
365 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York   10016-4309

Students should only contact this office if they wish to verify that submitted documents have been received.

14. What do I need to do once I'm accepted?

Notification of acceptances will begin during the month of January. This process will continue until all interviews have been completed. Email may be used to initially notify applicants who are accepted into the Program. An orientation for incoming PT students is scheduled each Spring semester. You will be notified about this in a letter mailed by the PT program. You must reply to the Graduate Center Admissions Office confirming that you are accepting a seat in the PT Program. Additional information on housing, the curriculum, schedules, etc., will be provided during orientation. If you are completing your undergraduate degree during the Spring semester, you will not be able to get an official transcript with proof of degree before summer registration. Please have the Registrar Office of your undergraduate school fax a letter to the Admissions Office stating that you have met the requirements for graduation. The Graduate Center Admissions Office fax number is 212-817-1624.

15. What is the procedure for transferring credits?

Many students applying and admitted to our program have completed undergraduate coursework outside of The City University of New York. To determine whether or not a course you have taken or are planning to take will meet our prerequisite requirements, first ask your undergraduate advisor or course instructor if the course will typically transfer to a four year college. Be sure it will not transfer as elective credits, but as an equivalent course at a four year college. If you are taking a course at a two year CUNY college, a course equivalency guide is available. For more information, please review the Transferring Undergraduate Credits page of this site.

16. May I meet with an advisor?

Members of the Physical Therapy faculty are available for counseling appointments. These appointments are only scheduled after receipt of your information packet. Please contact us in writing or by calling our secretary (between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday – Thursday) at 212-481-4469 with specific questions and days/times that you are available.

17. How often do faculty members make themselves available to students?

All of our faculty members have posted office hours and make themselves available and accessible. Faculty offices are located in the PT Program location at the Brookdale Campus. We have always received very positive feedback when asked about faculty accessibility, and exit surveys of our graduating students consistently indicate the ongoing support and availability of our faculty.