Doctor of Physical Therapy

PT Graduate Admissions

  • DPT Program Homepage
  • Accreditation and Outcomes

    • Entering the DPT program as a Graduate Student

    Saint Francis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts a limited number of graduate students into the three-year Professional Curriculum.  Applications from candidates holding a baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree with the necessary prerequisite coursework will be reviewed based on space availability and the quality of the applicant. 

    Application deadline: February 3, 2025  

    DPT Graduate & Professional Education 

    Our physical therapy program provides evidence-based graduate and post-professional education to advance professional practice and development. Your education experience is built to meet the high standards set forth by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (capteonline.org)

    • Curriculum
    • Costs
    • Progression Standards

    • Professional Phase Curriculum 

      The professional phase of the DPT program (115 credits) can be completed in 9 semesters 

      Doctor of Physical Therapy - 24/25

      Post Professional Opportunities

      Pediatric Residency Program provide opportunities for regional physical therapists to advance their careers in specialty areas with a focus on evidence-based practice.

    • Starting Summer 2025 will offer a new competitive tuition rate of just $917 per graduate credit, providing high-quality education at an exceptional value.

      Cost Snapshot

      • DPT Credits: 115 
      • $917 per credit
      • Completion time:  3-years, full time
      • Total projected program cost (including fees): $118,750

      View the current cost breakdown before the tuiton reduction: Doctor of Physical Therapy Financial Fact Sheet.pdf

    • Progression Standards 

      Professional Curriculum

      All physical therapy majors in the three-year professional curriculum must meet the following academic requirements. Failure to meet the progression standards will result in dismissal from the major.

      • Achieve a minimum QPA of 3.000 each semester of the professional curriculum.
      • No more than one grade below “B” per semester.
      • No more than three grades below “B” permitted throughout the professional curriculum.
      • A minimum grade of “C” in any major course.
      • Achieve competency on all lab exams per department policy.
      • Pass all clinical education courses.
      • Perform essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodations, while practicing safely, ethically and in a legal manner.
      • Meet professional behaviors standards.
      • Prior to advancing to the next semester, the requirements for the Professional Development Portfolio must be satisfactorily completed.

    How to Apply

    Applicants for Graduate Admission are required to complete the application in the PTCAS Application portal  which will include the requirements below.

    • Admission Requirements
    • Prerequisite Coursework
    • Articulation Agreements

    • Admissions Requirements

      • Official transcript from each college/university attended indicating a minimum 3.200 overall QPA and an earned bachelor’s degree.
      • A 3.200 minimum math/science QPA (based on the prerequisite math and science courses).
      • Completed prerequisite (or equivalent) coursework: 12 credits of biology, 8 of which must be anatomy and physiology; 8 credits of chemistry with labs; 8 credits of physics with labs; 3 credits of statistics and 6 credits of psychology. 
      • Current semester grades upon completion (if presently enrolled).
      • Three professional recommendations (one from a physical therapist).
      • Brief (300 words or less) typed response to “Describe a time that you persevered with a difficult problem or challenge in order to achieve a successful outcome.”
      • Fifty (50) hours of documented experience in at least one (1) physical therapy practice settings. (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, rehab, etc.).

      • All international students must send official transcripts to WES and submit through PTCAS to have transcripts converted to the United States academic scale.

    • The following prerequisite (or equivalent) coursework is required:

       

      Prerequisite            Credits     Description

      General Biology (w/lab)
      4
      One course offered by a biology department that includes a laboratory portion.
      Anatomy & Physiology (w/lab)
      8
      A two-course sequence (with labs) addressing the structure and function of the human mammalian body studied at the cellular, tissue and organ level of organization. Invertebrate anatomy& physiology is not acceptable.
      Chemistry (w/lab)
      8
      A two-course introductory sequence (with labs) that covers basic concepts, theories and application of chemistry.
      Physics (w/lab)
      8
      A two-course sequence (with labs) that covers fundamentals of physics, classical and modern, including mechanics, heat, light, electricity, magnetism and modern physics.
      Statistics
      3
      A course which covers the collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of data.
      Introductory Psychology
      3
      A foundational course which covers the major areas of study within psychology.
      Psychology
      3
      One course that examines specific area of psychological theory and practice. Such courses Include: Sensation and Perception; Learning; Abnormal Psychology; Cognition; Physiological Psychology; and Developmental Psychology.

    • Articulation Agreements

      We have an articulation agreement with the following schools. If you are enrolled in one of these schools please contact them for details.

      Saint Bonaventure University

      Saint Bonaventure, New York

      https://www.sbu.edu/

       

      Pennsylvania State University

      State College, Pennsylvania

      https://www.psu.edu/

    Have Questions?

    Department Contact: Traci Wanyo, Graduate Admissions Coordinator 
    twanyo@francis.edu 
    814-472-2764