DPT Program Requirements: How to Get Into PT School
Key Takeaways:
- DPT programs require a bachelor’s degree, specific science courses, and a 3.0+ GPA.
- Your application will require volunteer hours, GRE (if needed), and key documents like transcripts and a personal statement.
- If rejected, boost your chances by improving grades, test scores, or experience.
To become a physical therapist, you must graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program. Read on to learn how to get into PT school, including specific DPT program requirements, steps you should take, and what to do if you don’t get in.
Steps to Apply to PT School
You must meet strict requirements to be eligible for a DPT program. The general steps to apply to PT schools are:
- Complete prerequisite courses and meet GPA requirements
- Complete the required volunteer or work hours with a licensed PT
- Take the GRE, if applicable
- Gather documents for the application
- Apply to DPT programs
- Answer supplemental questions and submit the final application
Keep in mind that programs will not consider incomplete applications.
DPT Program Requirements
Let’s take a closer look at the key requirements to get into physical therapy school.
1. DPT Program Prerequisites
The first and most important physical therapy school requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and completed prerequisite courses. Technically, students can major in anything as long as they complete all specific prerequisite courses and pass with an appropriate grade (usually a minimum grade of “C”).
The most commonly required course prerequisites are:
- Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) I with lab
- Physiology or A&P II with lab
- Biology I (not botany or zoology)
- Biology II (not botany or zoology)
- General Chemistry I with lab
- General Chemistry II with lab
- General Physics I with lab
- General Physics II with lab
- Psychology
- Statistics
To meet all of these requirements, most students earn an undergraduate degree in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or even psychology. If you selected a non-science major, meet with your academic advisor to discuss career goals and how to complete PT school requirements.
Some DPT programs require applicants to complete all science courses within seven to ten years before enrollment.
2. GPA Requirements
Like most graduate-level programs, DPT programs also require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Complete Volunteer Requirements
Another vital DPT program requirement is volunteer or work experience with a licensed physical therapist. The specific number of hours varies depending on the program, but typically ranges from 25 to 100.
You must submit your logged hours and the physical therapist’s license number to account for them with your application. Activities you complete during volunteer hours may include:
- Folding laundry
- Making patient handouts
- Cleaning and organizing equipment
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Some physical therapy schools require applicants to complete the GRE, an exam designed to determine your graduate school readiness. The GRE tests verbal and quantitative reasoning as well as analytical writing skills.
Scoring high on this exam can have a direct impact on your chances of getting into physical therapy school. Each program that requires the GRE may have different minimum score requirements, so check your desired schools’ standards.
5. Gather Application Documents
Once you satisfy PT school requirements, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents to submit your official DPT program application:
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- All official transcripts
- CV/Resume
- Personal statement/Letter of intent
6. Apply to DPT Programs
Most, but not all, DPT programs utilize the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), allowing students to use a single online application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs.
If a program does not participate in PTCAS, there will be a separate application directly on the school’s website. The PTCAS Program Directory lists all of the participating and nonparticipating programs.
It’s important to note that ALL programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, which assures quality in physical therapist education.
7. Answer Supplemental Questions & Submit
Some DPT programs will also require supplemental questions, beyond the typical personal statement. This process varies based on the program and how the university wants applicants to submit their answers. If you are unsure, it is best to speak directly to an admissions counselor.
Specific questions will differ by program, but the most commonly asked ones include:
- Why are you interested in physical therapy and healthcare-related fields?
- What patient population are you interested in working with and why?
- During your work/volunteer experience, was there a specific interaction with a patient that influenced you?
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- How did your undergraduate education prepare you for DPT school?
- Describe an experience working with a diverse group of people.
- Describe your work ethic.
- How do you handle stressful situations?
While there really is no right or wrong answer to the supplemental questions, the best advice anyone can give an applicant is to be honest. Admission counselors and DPT professors can tell when applicants are writing what they “think someone wants to hear” vs. “what they really want to write.”
What Happens If You Don’t Get Into a DPT Program?
Not getting accepted to a DPT program can be absolutely devastating. But, you have options!
Some programs have waitlists. So, if students do not enroll, the university will contact waitlisted students to fill the space.
If you are entirely rejected, consider the following to boost your application for the next year:
- Retake the GREs to achieve a higher score
- Retake specific required courses that were lower grades
- Continue to work/volunteer with a licensed PT to gain experience and clinical hours
- Speak directly with an admission counselor to determine other ways to boost your application
- Apply to additional programs
DPT programs are highly competitive and selective. In fact, many students are actually rejected initially for various reasons. One of the main reasons, besides not meeting the application requirements, is that there are many more applicants than spots available.
Resources
- Top Online Physical Therapy Programs
- Top Occupational Therapy Graduate Programs
- Top PTA to DPT Bridge Programs
- How to Become a Physical Therapist
