Physical Therapy Program | Frequently Asked Questions

Hunter College > Schools of the Health Professions > The School of Health Sciences > Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy (DPT)

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faq

FAQ – The DPT Program is replacing our MPT curriculum. We do not admit new students into the MPT program. Once all students enrolled in the MPT program have graduated, this curriculum will no longer be available.

1. What is the tuition?

The CUNY Board of Trustees determines tuition for all CUNY Colleges. Students enrolled in the DPT program may be required to pay a tuition slightly higher than other Graduate Center students. Tuition is based upon resident status and progression through the curriculum.   At present, the tuition for DPT students who are not NY State residents should expect to pay $560 per credit. New York State residents should follow the tuition schedule as outlined on the Graduate Center fee structure on their website:

Tuition Schedule at the Graduate Center

2. What about financial aid?
Once you are accepted to The DPT Program at the Graduate Center/Hunter College, you may contact the financial aid office at the Graduate Center or go to their web site (http://www.gc.cuny.edu). Detailed information is available on this web site. 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 following 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) in the application. The Physical Therapy program does hire students approved for Federal Work-Study. Scholarships are presently not available. To be eligible for financial aid during the summer of the first year, students can register for a one credit Weighted Instructional Unit (WIU). Combined with the required courses, this will provide full time status, and allow the student to be eligible for financial aid. The Financial Aid will not complete it’s verification of aid to incoming students until after you have completed registration for the first summer of the program.

3. What's the housing situation?
Dormitory style private rooms are available to Hunter College students. They are on the Brookdale Campus, where the Physical Therapy Program is located. Housing costs approximately $1700.00 per semester, but you should check with their Residence Life website for updated costs and application deadlines. The link is Residence Life Website. Your application and deposit is refundable if you are not provided with a dorm room. Housing is limited and we cannot guarantee that all students applying for housing will receive housing. All new applicants who want to be considered for on campus housing must file an application with the Residence Life office.

4. What is the DPT?
The DPT is the preferred entry level degree for all physical therapists. It is a clinical degree, like Podiatry and Dentists. Physical therapists with a clinical doctorate degree is a long range goal of the American Physical Therapy Association. Different PT programs have different focuses within their curriculum. Compare the overall curriculum of the schools you are interested in. The degree granted upon graduation is determined by the institution, not the curriculum. Starting salaries are the same for any entry level degree. Hiring practices are based upon the individual, letters of recommendation and the school they attended, not the degree earned.

5. I’m a licensed physical therapist. Do you have a post-professional DPT program?
The Graduate Center/Hunter College PT program is an entry level, full time DPT curriculum. It is not a post-professional (transitional) DPT for physical therapists who have entered the profession with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. A post-professional DPT is not being developed. Agreements with post-professional DPT programs have been developed by Dr. Krasilovsky and more are being reviewed. All detailed information is posted on our Alumni page.

6. What do I do once I'm accepted?
Notification of acceptance 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 being accepted. An orientation for incoming PT students is scheduled each Spring semester. You will be notified of this orientation in a letter mailed by the PT program. You must reply to the Graduate Center Admissions office confirming 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 in the Spring semester, we understand that students will not be able to get an official transcript with proof of degree before summer registration. Please have the Registrar Office fax a letter stating that you have met the requirements for graduation. The Admissions Office fax number is: 212-817-1624.

7. What are the retention rates?
The Physical Therapy faculty are dedicated to producing competent PT clinicians. Students who are having academic/financial/personal difficulties are assisted as much as possible. Our average graduation rate is over 95%.

8. What are the passing rates on the National Physical Therapy (licensure) examination?
Graduates of our present Master’s Degree curriculum have consistently performed at or above the national average for passing the examination required for licensure. Recently received data on graduates of our MPT curriculum is provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy twice a year. Click here for a summary page of our most recent graduates performance.

9. Where do I submit transcripts?
The admissions process is self-managed. Applicants are to compile all supporting documents (official transcripts & letters of recommendation) and submit them with the completed written application in one large envelope. If you complete your application online, then 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 you wish to verify that submitted documents have been received.

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 collects the documents and issues the I - 20. Please refer to the graduate catalog or graduate application for more detailed information.

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. If you do not hold a bachelor's degree, then you are not qualified for the examination. If you wish to become a licensed physical therapist in the US, then you must apply to an accredited physical therapy program. The Graduate Center of CUNY DPT Program (Hunter College site or College of Staten Island site) will require you to apply and enroll in our entire curriculum. We do not waive courses from other colleges or universities. You must also complete the 100 hours of clinical experience in the United States, Canada, Australia, or England.

12. 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 our information packet. Please contact us, in writing or by calling our secretary (between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm @ 212-481-4469) with specific questions and days/times that you are available.

13. What scores must I have on the GRE's 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's, however we have no specific cutoff score. We use these scores coupled along with all documents to determine admission.

14. Do you offer informational Open House events? When is the next event scheduled?
The Program Director holds an informational session often during each semester for information on the Program, prerequisites, the admissions process, and to answer questions regarding entry into the Graduate Center/Hunter College Program and other New York State Schools. Please call for the date and time of the next scheduled open house or check our Web site by navigating to the News & Events section.

15. What is the procedure for transferring credits?
Many students applying and admitted to our program have completed undergraduate coursework outside Hunter College. Your best method of determining if a course you have taken or are planning on taking will meet our prerequisite requirement, follow the following decision making. First, ask your 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 COLLEGE IN THE CUNY, A COURSE EQUIVALENCY GUIDE IS AVAILABLE TO AT EACH DEPARTMENT AND ON THE INTERNET. YOU CAN LOOK UP ANY COURSE AT ANY TWO YEAR CUNY COLLEGE, AND SEE WHAT FOUR YEAR CUNY COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT THAT COURSE. THIS COURSE EQUIVALENCY GUIDE IS FOUND AT CUNY Course Equivalency Guide.

Also, check out transferring credits on this website

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