Admission Criteria

Admission Policy Statement
Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) is selective and competitive. The admission process is designed in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or handicap. To be eligible for admission, students must meet all program requirements. All enrollees must meet the Health and Technical Standards for the Program.

Application
All admission applications must be submitted online through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

Admission Deadline
Applications must be submitted by the deadline of May 15 for admission to the class that begins the subsequent summer. The minimum prerequisite coursework requirements must be completed or in progress by the posted application deadline(s). Applications that are incomplete at the posted deadline may not be reviewed by the Program.

The minimum prerequisite coursework requirements must be completed or in progress by the posted application deadline(s). Applications that are incomplete at the posted deadline may not be reviewed by the Program.

Degree Prerequisites
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution must be awarded prior to matriculation into the program.

Required Course Prerequisites
To assure that students have the foundational content knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete the curriculum, the Program requires the following prerequisite coursework:

Anatomy & Physiology with Lab – 6 credits minimum OR Anatomy with Lab (3 credits minimum) and Physiology with Lab (3 credits minimum)
Physics with Lab – 6 credits minimum
Biology with Lab – 3 credits minimum
Chemistry with Lab – 3 credits minimum
Psychology – 3 credits minimum
Statistics – 2 credits minimum

All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to beginning of the DPT curriculum. The minimum prerequisite coursework requirements cannot be waived and must be completed or in progress by the posted application deadline(s) from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Prerequisite coursework must be satisfied with a grade of "C" or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). A single course cannot be used simultaneously to meet more than one course prerequisite. All coursework completed by the applicant will be considered in the admission process. Credit for coursework obtained through distance learning or online courses will be recognized as meeting prerequisite requirements, as long as course credit is awarded from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Admission Criteria

Admission Requirements:

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Admission may be granted, pending completion of the degree. Undergraduate degrees must be conferred, and final official transcripts must be received at least one month prior to the start of the program.
A cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)*
Completion of all required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each course. An overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is preferred for required prerequisite coursework.
Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores completed no more than five years prior to the application. No minimum score is required.
A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation: one (1) from academic faculty and one (1) from a licensed physical therapist.
Successful performance on an admission interview. Note: Interviews are required and will be offered to the most qualified applicants.
Documentation of a minimum of 50 observation hours across two different physical therapy clinical settings.
International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of: Internet-based test – 80; Computer-based test – 213; and Paper-based test – 550.

*Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may still be considered under certain circumstances.

Anatomy & Physiology with Lab – 6 credits minimum OR Anatomy with Lab (3 credits minimum) and Physiology with Lab (3 credits minimum)
Physics with Lab – 6 credits minimum
Biology with Lab – 3 credits minimum
Chemistry with Lab – 3 credits minimum
Psychology – 3 credits minimum
Statistics – 2 credits minimum

Personal Statement
A personal statement is required. Each application must complete a personal essay that should include a rationale for interest in the field of physical therapy, and may include personality traits, career goals, and/or specific experiences that have influenced the applicant’s decision to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Reference Letters
A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation are required: one (1) from academic faculty and one (1) from a licensed physical therapist. The letters are required for the application to be complete. References must be completed and submitted by a non-relative.

Screening of Applications
Application initial review is designed to validate that the minimum admission requirements have been met and the applicant is eligible for Program admission. Application screening is conducted by the Program Admission Committee using criteria approved by the Program faculty. The Graduate Admission Office will help determine the initial eligibility of the candidates.

Interview
Admission to the DPT Program requires an interview, which is granted based on a competitive selection process. Interviews take place in person on campus, except for special circumstances approved by the Program Director and Chair of the Admission Committee. The purpose of interviews is to assess applicants' interpersonal and communication skills, as well as their motivation for pursuing a career in physical therapy. The Admission Committee considers various criteria, including academic and personal accomplishments, to select the strongest candidates for interviews. While meeting the program requirements is necessary, it does not guarantee an invitation for an interview. Failing to attend a scheduled interview will result in a denial of admission.