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 May 1, 2026. 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 June 15, 2026. Your summer term will begin with Onsite Orientation which will be held in Waco, TX on June 29-July 1, 2026.
The official, 26-month calendar for your cohort is available HERE. Please read through it carefully, making special note of all the lab immersion dates. Attendance at lab immersions is mandatory.
Note: 2028 dates are not yet included on the calendar. We will add those dates as soon as possible after they've been approved by the University.
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 grants, loans and scholarships. To be considered for need-based financial aid and deferred repayment on federal and state student loans, students will need to complete the FAFSA. There is no fee to file a FAFSA. Baylor's Title IV School Code: 003545.
- To get started, log into https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. To maximize your financial aid options, fill out BOTH FAFSA forms that are available. This includes the 2025-2026 form and the 2026-2027 form. With this information completed, the Baylor Financial Aid team will be able to assemble a financial aid offer for your review. You will be able to access this in BearWeb.
- You’ve likely been hearing a lot about Grad PLUS loans in the news. Since your cohort will be starting before July 1st, you will have the option to apply for this loan type, but we encourage you to be proactive in doing so to prevent issues with the tight deadline. The PLUS loan application is available through this website: https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing. It can be completed as soon as you have submitted your FAFSA.
There is one scholarship offered directly from the Baylor DPT program: The Light the Way Scholarship. You will be able to apply for this 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.
Once the DPT New Student Orientation course opens, you will submit proof of a satisfactory and current health examination and a record of up-to-date immunizations. You can get a head start on this by scheduling an exam with your primary care provider. Ask your provider to fill out the required Health Readiness Form and discuss your immunization status with him/her. Please review our complete list of Health Requirements and have required documentation submitted by June 15, 2026. 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. All students are required to provide proof of BLS certification as a submission within the New Student Orientation course.
8. Register for classes.
Registration for the Summer 2026 term will open in Spring 2026. 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 prior to your start date.
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 official 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 2028! Feel free to contact ptstudentaffairs@baylor.edu. or call 254-710-8199 with any questions.
