DPT Admission Requirements

Doctor of Physical Therapy Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the following admission requirements in order to be considered for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, whether the Residential, Hybrid ImmersionThe University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is seeking approval from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for an expansion of its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at its San Marcos, CA, and Miami, FL, campuses with a Hybrid Immersion model. Approval of the expansion programs is required prior to implementation. or Flex DPT format.

Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You can apply while you are still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program or while you are completing prerequisite coursework. You should submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses that will be completed before program enrollment.

GRE: An official GRE score report sent directly to the University from ETS is required. The test must have been taken within the past five (5) years. A combined minimum GRE score of 294 for the verbal and quantitative sections is recommended. The analytical writing score is also evaluated. NOTE: Candidates who have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher or previously earned a master’s degree are exempt from the GRE requirement.

• When applying for our DPT programs, use PTCAS. The University’s GRE institutional code number is 2209.

• When applying for our DPT programs, use PTCAS. The University’s GRE institutional code number is 2209.

Resume: Include a current resume or curriculum vitae with your application.

Statement of Purpose: Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that “help” others, please go beyond your initial interaction or experience with physical therapy, and share the deeper story that has confirmed your decision to specifically pursue physical therapy as your career.

Prerequisites: Admissions recommends that all prerequisite course work be no more than 5 years old. This is a recommendation and is preferred, it is not a requirement to apply. Click the box below to see which physical therapy school requirements you may still need to earn

Prerequisite Check

You can find our DPT prerequisites form here.

All PT school prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.

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Required Prerequisites for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

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Misrepresentation of Academic Credentials

Misrepresentation of academic credentials includes presenting information known as false and with the intent of obtaining employment or admission to an educational program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. As part of our DPT program requirements, statements made and documents supplied by University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences’ applicants and students must be complete and accurate. The University will not tolerate any misrepresentation by a student or applicant of past or current academic programs, degrees, or professional accomplishments. If unexplained discrepancies appear between statements or documents provided to USAHS and information obtained otherwise, except in the case of misspellings and other such inadvertent errors, applicants may be rejected for admission and enrolled students may be dismissed.

Additional Doctor of Physical Therapy Requirements

• A recommended minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 calculated on Doctor of Physical Therapy programs prerequisites and a required grade of C or better earned in each DPT prerequisite course.
• A total of two (2) references from the following: Two licensed physical therapists (preferred) or one physical therapist and one faculty member or academic advisor.
• A minimum of 40 volunteer, observation, or work hours in a physical therapy setting is another one of our physical therapy program prerequisites. Applicants may apply with 20 hours completed. Please note that proof of 40 hours must be completed by your intended start date.
• A comprehensive background check, fingerprints and drug screen at the applicant’s expense must be completed upon acceptance into the program prior to matriculation.
• Candidates holding a non-U.S. degree may be eligible to take University courses and/or be considered for admission to USAHS. Please refer to the “Additional Requirements for Domestic, International, and/or Foreign-Educated Students” section of the University Catalog/Handbook for further information.
• Students in the Residential DPT program continue to remain eligible for an F-1 student visa sponsored by USAHS. Applicants located in the United States on a non-F-1 student visa can be considered for admission. Prospective students who already hold a non-F-1 student visa allowing for study in the U.S., including clinical placements, are eligible for admission to the Flex and Hybrid Immersion PT formats provided a copy of a valid, unexpired passport reflecting visa status is provided prior to admission and that the individual meets other admission requirements. Students must keep their non-F-1 student visa in good standing throughout the duration of their studies with USAHS, as the University cannot sponsor them for study now or at any point in the future for the Flex and Hybrid Immersion PT formats. Students holding a visa that is renewed during their course of study must provide a copy of their updated passport reflecting visa status to the Admissions office. Further, there may be additional requirements for students seeking federal financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to enrolling and provide any required documents.

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