Congratulations! You have accepted your seat in the upcoming DPT cohort! Now it’s time to celebrate and start getting ready for the journey that awaits you!
1. Set up your student access within the Baylor system.
Within a week of paying your seat deposit, you will receive an email from Baylor ITS with instructions for setting up your Bear ID, password, and DUO, which you will need to access all Baylor systems. This will be sent to the email address we have on file for you. If you are having difficulty setting up or activating your Bear ID or Duo, or if you do not receive an email from Baylor ITS, please visit the HelpDesk+ website or call the HELP desk at 254-710-4357.
2. Complete the Certiphi background check.
Within a week of paying your seat deposit, you will receive an email from Certiphi to initiate a background check. The email will provide clear instructions for you to follow. When the background check is complete, please save a copy of the final report for your records.
3. Add important dates to your calendar.
Your online New Student Orientation Course will open on September 29, 2025. This is when you will receive access to Canvas and start working through the Orientation Course to prepare for your official start date. Plan on completing the course to include all necessary submissions by December 1, 2025. Virtual Orientation will be held via Zoom on January 2nd and January 5, 2026. Your first trimester courses will begin on January 6, 2026.
The official, 2-year calendar for your cohort is available HERE. Please read carefully through the key dates, making special note of all the lab immersion dates. Attendance at lab immersions is mandatory.
4. Apply for financial aid & explore scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid Counselors are available to assist you through the One Stop Student Financial Services Office as you navigate the Financial Aid process (onestop.web.baylor.edu/contact-us). The Office of Student Financial Aid will work with you to determine your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and loans. To be considered for need-based financial aid and deferred repayment on federal and state student loans, students will need to complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no fee to file a FAFSA. Baylor's Title IV School Code: 003545.
There is one scholarship offered directly from the Baylor DPT program: The Light the Way Scholarship. You will be able to apply for this in the spring during your first year in the program. Additionally, all Baylor students can access Baylor’s Scholarship Universe. Here, you can create an account and connect with a huge repository of scholarship opportunities.
5. Take necessary steps to meet Baylor DPT’s Health Requirements.
As a Baylor student, you are required to have health insurance. You will be asked to submit proof of health insurance after you register for classes in November.
Once the DPT New Student Orientation course opens, you will submit proof of a satisfactory and current health examination and submit record of up-to-date immunizations. Please review our complete list of Health Requirements and
have required documentation submitted by December 1, 2025. Please reach out to our Student Support team with any questions at ptstudentaffairs@baylor.edu.
6. Set up your study space and make sure you have the technology you need.
Since this is a hybrid program, it is imperative that you have a functional study space at home. Read through our Computer Requirements before you begin setting up your space and reach out to our Technology team at OTPT_Tech@baylor.edu with any questions.
7. Prepare for Clinical Education.
Although you won’t start completing clinical rotations until your second year in the program, you should take steps to prepare yourself before your cohort launch in January. All students are required to provide proof of BLS certification as a submission within the New Student Orientation course. In November, you’ll receive an email to your Baylor account from Baylor’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety to complete your Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), personal protective equipment, and blood-borne pathogen training. After completion, you’ll upload your certificates into our New Student Orientation Course.
8. Register for classes.
Registration for the Spring 2026 Trimester will open in early November 2025. An announcement with a course list and details on how to self-register will be sent through Canvas. You will receive more information about how to order textbooks in late November.
9. Explore all that Baylor has to offer.
As a Baylor Graduate Student, you will have access to all that Baylor has to offer! This means you will be able to utilize a multitude of student services and take advantage of Baylor facilities while you’re in town for labs. We encourage you to get to know Baylor virtually before your January start date!
You will also receive emails from Baylor’s Graduate Student Association with information about orientation events that you can be a part of. These are geared toward local students, and not required for Baylor DPT students, but you are certainly welcome to participate and make use of all GSA resources.
We are excited to have you as part of the Baylor DPT Class of 2027! Feel free to contact ptstudentaffairs@baylor.edu or call 254-710-8199 with any questions.
