Barry PhilipsTexas is home to a growing number of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs, giving aspiring physical therapists many opportunities to pursue professional training without leaving the state. These programs are offered by public universities, private universities, medical centers, and newer institutions developing physical therapy programs.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is an entry-level professional doctorate designed to prepare graduates for careers as physical therapists. Most traditional DPT programs require applicants to complete a bachelor’s degree or specified undergraduate coursework, prerequisite science courses, clinical observation or volunteer experience, and other application requirements.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) notes that common prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics, although individual DPT programs can have substantially different requirements.
Below are DPT schools and programs in Texas, including established programs and newer programs that are developing or have recently received Candidate for Accreditation status.
Top DPT Schools In Texas
1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program through its School of Health Professions. The program operates across campuses in Lubbock, Amarillo, and Odessa, making it one of the major DPT options for students interested in West Texas. The program is a three-year professional doctorate and is accredited by CAPTE.
Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA
- Required prerequisite coursework
- GRE scores
- PTCAS application
- Official transcripts
- Other supporting application materials
TTUHSC states that the bachelor’s degree is required and that GRE scores must be less than five years old.
2. Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University (TWU) operates one of the best-established physical therapy education systems in Texas, with DPT locations in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. The program requires eight semesters of full-time graduate study and includes extensive clinical education.
Requirements
Typical requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree in any major
- Overall GPA above 3.0
- Math and science prerequisite GPA above 3.0
- Chemistry I and II with labs
- Physics I and II with labs
- Anatomy and physiology
- Algebra or higher
- Psychology courses
- Medical terminology
- GRE
- At least 80 observation hours
- Current BLS/CPR and AED certification
- Three recommendation letters
TWU also specifies observation experience involving different physical therapists and different clinical environments.
3. University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) offers a professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Fort Worth.
Requirements
Applicants should generally prepare for:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite coursework
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Clinical or observation experience
- Personal statement
- Other program-specific application materials
Students should check the current admissions cycle because specific prerequisites and testing requirements can change.
4. UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program through its School of Health Professions.
Requirements
The program requires:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution
- Recommended cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- PTCAS application
- At least three recommendation letters
- GRE scores
- TOEFL scores where applicable for international applicants
- 44 semester hours of prerequisite coursework
- Minimum grade of C in prerequisite courses
UT Southwestern reports that its DPT program receives more than 900 completed applications for approximately 43 positions, making preparation particularly important.
5. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers an entry-level DPT program through its School of Health Professions.
Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- Bachelor’s degree for regular admission
- 47 semester hours of prerequisite coursework
- Minimum 3.2 overall GPA
- Minimum 3.2 science/math prerequisite GPA
- Medical terminology
- At least 50 physical therapy observation hours
- Three recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Interview
- GRE scores
The prerequisite curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology or anthropology, public speaking, and statistics.
6. University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through its College of Health Sciences.
Requirements
Applicants should expect requirements involving:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite courses
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Physical therapy experience or observation
- Other program-specific application materials
The UTEP DPT is a nine-semester program and is accredited by CAPTE.
7. University of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston offers a CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Requirements
Applicants should prepare for:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite coursework
- PTCAS application
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Clinical or observation experience
- Other program-specific requirements
UTMB confirms that its DPT program is accredited by CAPTE.
8. Texas State University
Texas State University offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program through its Department of Physical Therapy.
Requirements
Applicants should generally have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite coursework
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Physical therapy observation experience
- Any required standardized testing
International applicants may also need to satisfy Texas State’s English-language proficiency requirements.
9. Baylor University
Baylor University in Waco offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.
Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite courses
- Competitive academic record
- PTCAS application
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Physical therapy experience
- Other program-specific requirements
Baylor’s DPT program is accredited by CAPTE and has undergone curriculum restructuring beginning with newer cohorts.
10. Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene offers a service-focused Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Requirements
The program’s requirements include:
- Required prerequisite coursework
- GRE
- Physical therapy observation experience
- Record of service and leadership
- Personal interview
- Three recommendation letters
- One recommendation from a professor
- One from a U.S.-licensed physical therapist
- One additional recommendation
HSU recommends at least 40 observation hours across two settings or 100 hours in one setting. The university also states that coursework older than 10 years is not accepted.
11. University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Requirements
Applicants should generally prepare:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite science courses
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Recommendation letters
- Physical therapy observation
- Personal statement
- Transcripts
- Any additional program-specific requirements
Because admission requirements may change, applicants should check the current application cycle before submitting their materials.
12. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Requirements
Applicants should expect requirements such as:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite courses
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Letters of recommendation
- Observation or clinical experience
- Personal statement
- Official transcripts
The university is another private Texas option for students seeking professional physical therapy education.
13. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences has offered DPT education in Texas, including its Dallas location.
Requirements
Applicants should generally have:
- Bachelor’s degree or required undergraduate preparation
- Prerequisite coursework
- Application materials
- Transcripts
- Recommendation materials
- Any required clinical or observation experience
- Program-specific admission requirements
USAHS also offers different instructional formats, including hybrid-immersion options, depending on campus and cohort. Its Dallas DPT program information describes a seven-term hybrid-immersion structure.
14. Angelo State University
Angelo State University in San Angelo is another Texas institution associated with professional physical therapy education.
Requirements
Applicants should generally prepare for:
- Bachelor’s-level preparation
- Prerequisite science coursework
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Physical therapy observation experience
- Personal statement
- Other program-specific requirements
Prospective students should confirm the current admission cycle and program status before applying.
15. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a three-year, nine-semester entry-level DPT program.
Requirements
Applicants generally need:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite courses
- Competitive GPA
- PTCAS application
- UTRGV graduate application
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation materials
- Required clinical or observation experience
- Other program-specific materials
UTRGV’s first DPT class matriculated in June 2025, with that cohort scheduled to graduate in 2028.
16. Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University in Stephenville is one of the newer DPT options in Texas.
Requirements
Applicants should generally expect:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite coursework
- PTCAS application
- Required supporting documents
- Competitive academic record
- Program-specific admissions requirements
Tarleton received Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE on April 28, 2026. Candidate status is an accreditation status, although it does not guarantee eventual Initial Accreditation.
17. Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Texas A&M University-Texarkana launched its Doctor of Physical Therapy program with a particular emphasis on rural and underserved communities.
Requirements
Applicants should generally prepare for:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite coursework
- PTCAS application
- Transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Other program-specific application requirements
The program began admitting students for Fall 2026 and received Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE in May 2026.
18. Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University is developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Conroe, Texas.
Requirements
Because this is a new program, prospective applicants should pay particular attention to the latest admissions information. Expected requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Prerequisite coursework
- Application materials
- Official transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Other program-specific requirements
The inaugural cohort is scheduled for Fall 2027. SHSU says it plans to submit its CAPTE candidacy application in November 2026.
19. South College – Dallas
South College is developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy program at its Dallas campus.
Requirements
Because the program is new, applicants should verify its admission requirements and accreditation status before applying. Requirements are expected to include undergraduate preparation, prerequisite coursework, application materials, and other professional-program requirements.
South College Dallas submitted its Application for Candidacy to CAPTE on May 1, 2026. The institution states that students cannot enter professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved.
20. University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler has been developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Requirements
As a developing program, applicants should monitor the university’s latest announcements for:
- Bachelor’s degree requirements
- Prerequisite courses
- GPA requirements
- Application procedures
- Observation requirements
- Recommendation requirements
- Accreditation status
The UT System Board of Regents approved the establishment of a DPT degree program at UT Tyler in February 2026, with the proposal proceeding through the Texas higher-education approval process.
Additional DPT Option: Baylor University and Other Developing Programs
Students researching DPT schools in Texas should distinguish between established programs and newer programs. CAPTE’s developing-program directory is particularly useful because accreditation status can change as programs progress through candidacy and initial accreditation.
For this reason, applicants should not assume that every institution appearing on an older list has the same accreditation or admissions status in 2026.
Common DPT Prerequisite Courses in Texas
Although requirements differ, several courses appear repeatedly across DPT programs.
Anatomy and Physiology
Most programs require anatomy and physiology, frequently with laboratory components. Some universities accept a combined Anatomy & Physiology sequence, while others require separate anatomy and physiology courses.
Biology
General biology courses are commonly required, often with laboratory components. Some schools specify that courses must be designed for science majors.
Chemistry
General Chemistry I and II are common requirements. Certain programs may accept organic chemistry or biochemistry for part of the chemistry requirement.
Physics
Physics I and II are frequently required, generally with laboratories.
Psychology
Introductory psychology is commonly required. Some programs also require developmental, abnormal, lifespan, or physiological psychology.
Statistics
Statistics is required or recommended by many DPT programs, although individual schools can differ regarding the department in which the course must be taken.
APTA identifies anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics among the most commonly required DPT prerequisites nationally.
DPT Schools in Texas Comparison Table
| DPT School | Location | Program Type/Status | Common Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock/Amarillo/Odessa | Established | Bachelor’s, 3.0 GPA, prerequisites, GRE |
| Texas Woman’s University | Denton/Dallas/Houston | Established | Bachelor’s, 3.0+ GPA, prerequisites, GRE, observation |
| UT Southwestern | Dallas | Established | Bachelor’s, 3.0 recommended, prerequisites, GRE |
| UT Health San Antonio | San Antonio | Established | Bachelor’s, 3.2 GPA, prerequisites, observation, GRE |
| UTEP | El Paso | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, application materials |
| UTMB | Galveston | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, application materials |
| Texas State University | Round Rock | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, GPA requirements |
| Baylor University | Waco | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene | Established | Prerequisites, GRE, observation, interview |
| University of North Texas HSC | Fort Worth | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | Established | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| University of St. Augustine | Dallas | Established/private | Undergraduate preparation, prerequisites |
| Angelo State University | San Angelo | Established | Undergraduate preparation, prerequisites |
| UTRGV | Edinburg | Newer program | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| Tarleton State University | Stephenville | Candidate for Accreditation | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, application |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Texarkana | Candidate for Accreditation | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, PTCAS |
| Sam Houston State University | Conroe | Developing | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, application |
| South College | Dallas | Developing | Undergraduate preparation, prerequisites |
| UT Tyler | Tyler | Developing/proposed | Requirements to be confirmed |
| TWU Denton | Denton | Established campus | Bachelor’s, prerequisites, GRE, observation |
How to Choose a DPT School in Texas
Choosing a DPT program involves more than looking at the university name. Students should compare the program’s accreditation status, admission requirements, tuition, location, clinical education opportunities, curriculum structure, cohort size, and graduation outcomes.
Applicants should also determine whether a program requires the GRE. While some Texas programs continue to require it, others have different testing policies.
Clinical experience is another important consideration. Some schools require specific numbers of observation hours, while others evaluate clinical exposure differently.
Students should also confirm whether their undergraduate courses satisfy the exact prerequisite requirements. A course that satisfies one school’s anatomy requirement may not necessarily satisfy another school’s requirement.
DPT Accreditation and Texas Licensure
Accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a DPT program. CAPTE accredits professional physical therapist education programs, and its official directory can be used to verify a program’s current status.
After completing an appropriate physical therapy education program, prospective physical therapists must also satisfy state licensure requirements. In Texas, the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners oversees physical therapist licensing.
Texas requires applicants to meet educational requirements and complete the licensing process, including the National Physical Therapy Examination. The Texas Board states that graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs can apply through the applicable examination process.
Internationally educated physical therapists face additional requirements. Texas may require an educational credentials evaluation and English-language testing depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About DPT Schools in Texas
How long does a DPT program take in Texas?
Many entry-level DPT programs take approximately three years of full-time study after the required undergraduate preparation. For example, TTUHSC describes its DPT as a three-year program, while UT Health San Antonio’s program consists of nine semesters over approximately 35 months.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree before applying to a Texas DPT school?
For many traditional DPT programs, yes. However, some universities have early-admission pathways that allow qualified students to enter professional DPT education before completing a traditional bachelor’s degree.
Is the GRE required for every DPT school in Texas?
No. GRE policies differ between programs. Some schools require GRE scores, while others have different testing policies. Always check the current requirements of the specific program.
How many observation hours do I need?
There is no single Texas-wide observation-hour requirement for every DPT program. Some schools specify minimum hours and particular clinical settings. For example, TWU requires 80 hours, while UT Health San Antonio requires at least 50 hours.
Are all DPT programs in Texas CAPTE accredited?
No. Texas has established CAPTE-accredited programs as well as newer programs that are developing or progressing through CAPTE candidacy. Candidate for Accreditation is an important status, but applicants should verify the current status of any program before enrolling.
Related
Conclusion
Texas provides a wide range of Doctor of Physical Therapy opportunities, from established programs at major health science universities to newer programs designed to expand access to physical therapy education.
Among the institutions students can research are Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas Woman’s University, UT Southwestern, UT Health San Antonio, UTEP, UTMB, Texas State University, Baylor University, Hardin-Simmons University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, University of the Incarnate Word, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, University of St. Augustine, Angelo State University, UTRGV, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Sam Houston State University, South College Dallas, and the developing UT Tyler program.
The right choice depends on factors such as admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, GPA, GRE policy, observation requirements, tuition, location, clinical education opportunities, and accreditation status.
Before submitting an application, carefully review the current requirements for each DPT school because admission criteria and program status can change from one application cycle to another.