Freshman Entry
Our Curriculum is 6 years for students admitted as freshmen, with no application to the professional phase required. **Beginning with the Graduating Class of 2028, our Curriculum is 5.5 years for students admitted as freshmen.
New freshmen choose their track in early May of their senior year of high school before fall registration occurs. All PT students complete the same fundamental science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, A&P, Psychology and Statistics), and the same general education requirements (Bridges Common Learning Experience). The remainder of the pre-professional phase courses differ between the two tracks:
- Health Sciences Track - after the Spring of the 4th year, students who choose this track receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.
- *After the Spring of the 4th Year, students may consider another track, which is considered on a case-by-case basis.
At the end of your Professional Phase, you will graduate with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). There is no subsequent application required to begin the professional coursework in physical therapy.
Admission
The Office of Admissions will review your application for freshman admission based on the following guidelines:
- A GPA of 3.0 or better
- Achieved an ACT score of 24 or an SAT score (Math + Verbal) of 1170 or better. Please be advised that we are test-optional for the current application cycle (students who will start in fall 2021).
- Documentation of shadowing, volunteer, or paid experience in physical therapy (40 hours to be completed before the start of the freshman year).
- Graduate of an approved secondary school
- Eight units of math and science
- Algebra I,
- Algebra II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Calculus - recommended but not required
- General Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics - recommended but not required
If you have not completed four years of high school, you must submit a High School Equivalency Diploma issued by their state department of education.
Students who do well in the Physical Therapy program are typically strong in the sciences. If you do not enjoy the sciences and/or have not performed well in the sciences academically, Physical Therapy may not be the best match for you.
Matriculation into the professional phase
To begin the professional phase (Year 4), you must meet these requirements:
- Achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of spring semester Year 3
- Achieve 3.0 cumulative GPA in pre-requisite course work, with no less than C grade
in all prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses are:
- Biology I and II
- Chemistry I and II
- Physics I and II
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Introduction to Psychology
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Completion of 100 hours of volunteer, paid or shadowing hours with a licensed PT (40 hours prior to admission are counted toward this 100 hours).
- Volunteer/shadowing must be evenly divided between two different areas of physical therapy practice
- Verification of all Pre-Health Requirements
- Current physical examination
- Verification of Health Insurance
- CPR certification
- Undergraduate Admission Curriculum