Best Physical Therapy Programs in Texas

Texas is home to some of the top physical therapy programs in the United States. With a growing aging population and demand for rehabilitation services, physical therapists are in high demand in the state. When researching physical therapy schools in Texas, it’s important to consider factors like cost, reputation, location, acceptance rates, and average salaries after graduation. The following article profiles the ten best physical therapy schools in Texas based on these key factors.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers an excellent Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program on its Dallas campus. With a focus on evidence-based practice and clinical experience, the program prepares students for professional success.

Location: Dallas, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $22,632 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $88,000

Website: www.utsouthwestern.edu

UT Southwestern’s DPT program provides early clinical experiences and collaborative learning. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and mentoring. Graduates praise the strong curriculum and clinical training. UT Southwestern is ranked as one of the top physical therapy schools in the United States.

Texas Woman’s University

Texas Woman’s University is renowned for its physical therapy program, offered on the Houston campus. With state-of-the-art facilities and expert faculty, TWU prepares students for physical therapy practice and leadership roles.

Location: Houston, TX

Acceptance Rate: 19%

Tuition: $8,968 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $85,000

Website: www.twu.edu

The DPT program at TWU takes 36 months to complete. It includes clinical practicums and internships that provide hands-on experience. Graduates consistently secure employment soon after graduation and report satisfaction with their education.

University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch offers a DPT program at its Galveston campus. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, and cultural competence.

Location: Galveston, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $8,878 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $88,500

Website: www.utmb.edu

UTMB’s School of Health Professions provides top-notch facilities and expert faculty. Small class sizes ensure individualized attention. The program takes 36 months to complete and includes clinical practicums. Graduates consistently secure employment soon after graduation.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a DPT program in Lubbock, Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, and Odessa. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical skills.

Location: Multi-campus

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $7,215 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $86,000

Website: www.ttuhsc.edu

Texas Tech’s School of Health Professions provides a rigorous DPT curriculum centered on clinical practice skills. The small class sizes ensure personalized attention. Clinical opportunities are available early on. Graduates are well-prepared for physical therapy careers.

University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso offers an affordable DPT program focused on bilingual and multicultural physical therapy practice. Graduates are prepared to serve diverse communities.

Location: El Paso, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $7,660 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $83,500

Website: www.utep.edu

UTEP’s DPT program immerses students in clinical and research experiences focused on serving Hispanic/Latino communities. It takes 36 months to complete. Graduates speak highly of the evidence-based curriculum, cultural emphasis, and clinical training.

Angelo State University

Students seeking an affordable DPT program focused on rural health should consider Angelo State University. Located in San Angelo, it prepares graduates for physical therapy practice in rural communities.

Location: San Angelo, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $6,920 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $77,000

Website: www.angelo.edu

ASU’s DPT program emphasizes clinical skills tailored to rural practice, including telehealth expertise. Graduates gain real-world skills through clinical practicums and internships. The small program size allows for individualized mentoring.

University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word offers an affordable three-year DPT program in San Antonio, centered on evidence-based practice. Students gain extensive clinical experience.

Location: San Antonio, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $31,000 per year

Avg Salary: $85,000

Website: www.uiw.edu

UIW’s well-regarded DPT program includes clinical practicums each semester. With small class sizes, students receive individual attention. The curriculum emphasizes research, service learning, and healthcare inequities. Graduates secure well-paying jobs.

Texas State University

Texas State University offers a DPT program in San Marcos focused on clinical excellence and research skills. Graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare careers.

Location: San Marcos, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $8,234 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $83,000

Website: www.txstate.edu

The DPT program at Texas State immerses students in clinical and research projects. The state-of-the-art facilities include dedicated research labs. Graduates are successful finding jobs and report satisfaction with their career preparation.

University of North Texas Health Science Center

The University of North Texas Health Science Center offers an acclaimed DPT program focused on interdisciplinary practice. Located in Fort Worth, graduates are prepared for diverse careers.

Location: Fort Worth, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $21,070 per year for Texas residents

Avg Salary: $86,500

Website: www.unthsc.edu

UNT’s School of Health Professions emphasizes interprofessional education and specialized tracks. The DPT program takes 36 months to complete and includes clinical practicums. Graduates are successful securing well-paid jobs in various settings.

Hardin-Simmons University

Students seeking a faith-based DPT program focused on service should consider Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Graduates integrate physical therapy practice with Christian values and servant leadership.

Location: Abilene, TX

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Tuition: $34,220 per year

Avg Salary: $72,500

Website: www.hsutx.edu

HSU’s rigorous DPT program emphasizes ethics, research, and clinical excellence tailored to underserved communities. Extensive field experiences teach cultural competence. Graduates integrate faith and service in their careers.

See Other Best Physical Therapy Schools in the South

• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Alabama
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Arkansas
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Florida
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Georgia
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Louisiana
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Mississippi
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Oklahoma
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in South Carolina
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Tennessee
• Best Physical Therapy Schools in Virginia
• See Best Physical Therapy Schools by State

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements for DPT programs in Texas?

Admission requirements vary but generally include prerequisite undergraduate coursework in science and math, minimum GPA (often 3.0+), GRE scores, letters of recommendation, healthcare experience, and an essay or interview. Programs are very competitive.

Which schools offer the best scholarships or financial aid for DPT programs?

Texas Woman’s University, Angelo State University, University of the Incarnate Word, and Hardin-Simmons University are known for offering strong scholarships and financial aid opportunities for DPT students. Public Texas universities also offer in-state tuition discounts.

Can I attend school part-time while working in physical therapy?

Some programs offer flexibility for working physical therapists to complete DPT coursework part-time, such as Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center, and Hardin-Simmons University.

Do Texas DPT programs prepare students for specialty certifications?

Yes, many Texas programs offer elective courses, tracks, and residencies in specialty areas like sports physical therapy, neurorehabilitation, women’s health, wound care, and orthopedics. This allows students to pursue board certifications.

How long does it take to complete a DPT degree in Texas?

The typical DPT program takes 3 years to complete, including clinical practicum experiences. A few schools offer part-time options extending the timeline. Expect around 5-7 semesters plus residencies or internships.

What types of clinical opportunities are available through Texas DPT programs?

The programs highlighted offer clinical practicums each semester starting early in the curriculum at hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community health centers. Sites emphasize evidence-based practice with diverse patients.

Can I work in another state after graduating from a Texas DPT program?

Yes, after graduating and passing national licensing exams like the NPTE, Texas DPT graduates can apply for physical therapist licenses by endorsement in other U.S. states. Programs prepare for multistate practice.

Are there DPT programs in Texas tailored for rural practice?

Yes, Angelo State University offers a curriculum focused on rural physical therapy including telehealth skills. Texas Tech also emphasizes preparation for rural health jobs through its distance campuses.

How competitive is physical therapy specialty residency programs in Texas?

Specialty physical therapy residency placements in Texas are extremely competitive, typically accepting only 1-5 candidates per site. Applicants should demonstrate excellent clinical skills and specialty interest.

Rohit Mittal

Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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