Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (traditional and dual programs)

The Division of Physical Therapy offers three avenues for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree Program;

  1. Traditional Admissions
  2. Articulation Agreement
  3. SU Undergraduate Physical Therapy Pre-Admissions Program

Regardless of the route of application, processing for the DPT program is through the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS). Although these applications are processed through PTCAS, they are held to the same standards as Shenandoah University's other graduate programs. All offers of admission into the DPT program are determined by the Division of Physical Therapy Admissions Committee.

Although these admission programs are distinct from one another, there are some common admission requirements. All applicants must:

  1. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 2.8 on a 4.0 scale in all completed course work.
  2. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For non-native speakers of English, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be completed.
  3. Two letters of reference which must come from a licensed practicing physical therapist and a college professor (preferred science or professor in major).
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the profession by completing a minimum of 100 documented hours (volunteer or paid) of exposure to physical therapy practice under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Traditional Admissions

The primary method for admission into DPT program is through the traditional admissions program. In addition to the global requirements as listed above, consideration for admission through this process requires applicants to complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, prior to matriculation. The bachelor's degree must include the 34 credit hours of prerequisite course work and applicant's much achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale for these courses.

Articulation Agreement Admissions

A second means of admission into the DPT program is through articulation agreements established by the Division of Physical Therapy with four universities and colleges. The participating institutions and copies of their agreements can be located by following the following link. This program follows the same admission criteria as noted for the traditional admissions program except for the prerequisite course work GPA. For this group of applicants they must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale including prerequisite course work. All courses must be completed at Shenandoah University. Four to five seats are reserved for students from each participating institution for the incoming class.

SU Undergraduate Physical Therapy Pre-admissions Program

In addition to the articulation agreements, the Division of Physical Therapy has established a unique admissions process with the undergraduate office of admissions for Shenandoah University (SU Undergraduate Physical Therapy Pre-Admissions Program). The purpose of this program is to allow highly qualified high school students to be pre-admitted into the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program. These students are guaranteed acceptance into the DPT program provided they meet the criteria as outlined below. In order to be admitted to this program as a freshman at Shenandoah University (out of high school) the student must achieve the following:

  1. High School Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or better
  2. Minimum SAT score of 1100
  3. Submission of an undergraduate application for admissions to the Shenandoah University Office of Admissions

In order to remain in the program and matriculate into the DPT Program at the end of three years of undergraduate study at Shenandoah University the student must:

  1. Successfully complete a minimum of 90 hours of undergraduate course work with a grade of "C" or above including prerequisite courses. All prerequisite course work must be completed at Shenandoah University. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the PT Admissions Committee
  2. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale including prerequisite course work.

Regardless of the admissions process, all science courses must be less than 10 years old at the time of application. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the PT Admissions Committee if the applicant is able to provide documentation of the functional use of the information.

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