Doctor of Physical Therapy

PT Undergraduate Admissions

3+3 & 4+3 DPT Paths

  • DPT Program Homepage

    • Starting your DPT as an Undergraduate 

    Saint Francis University offers accelerated and traditional paths for undergraduates to enter the DPT program. Students admitted to the direct-entry program secure a spot in the professional DPT phase from day one, provided they maintain academic standards, avoiding the stress of reapplying. 

    • Degree Paths

    Undergraduate PT Admissions

    • Undergraduate PT Admissions
    • Progression Standards
    • Essential Functions of a PT Student

    • Admissions Requirements 

       

      Accelerated 3+3 leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy

       

      • SAT (CR and M): 1,210 or higher OR ACT composite of 25 or higher
        • High school cumulative GPA 3.5 out of 4.0
        • Students must have taken the following minimum criteria in high school: 4 years science (including biology and chemistry, physics is recommended); 4 years of math reaching at least the level of pre-calculus, calculus is recommended; 4 years of English.
      • Test-Optional
        • High school cumulative GPA 3.7 out of 4.0
        • Students must have taken the following minimum criteria in high school: 4 years science (including biology and chemistry, physics is recommended); 4 years of math reaching at least the level of pre-calculus (calculus is recommended); 4 years of English.

       Traditional 4+3 leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy

      • SAT (CR and M)- 1,100 or higher OR ACT composite of 24 or higher
        • High school cumulative GPA 3.0 out of 4.0
        • Students must have taken the following minimum criteria in high school: 4 years science (including biology and chemistry, physics is recommended); 4 years of math reaching at least the level of college algebra (calculus is recommended); 4 years of English.
      • Test-Optional
        • High school cumulative GPA 3.2 out of 4.0
        • Students must have taken the following minimum criteria in high school: 4 years science (including biology and chemistry is physics recommended); 4 years of math reaching at least the level of pre-calculus (calculus is recommended); 4 years of English.

      Undergraduate program leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy program (student completes undergrad degree with DPT prerequisites)

      • SAT (CR and M): under 1,100
        • GPA – under 3.0
        • Meets minimum criteria for admissions related to the high school curriculum requirements
      • Test-Optional
        • GPA under 3.2 out of 4.0
        • Meets minimum criteria for admissions related to the high school curriculum requirements
           

      Other

      Students who do not meet either the above criteria, but who qualify for admission to the University, working with the Department of Physical Therapy, may select a major consistent with their academic profile.

       

    • Pre-Professional Progression Standards

      • Failure to meet the progression standards will result in dismissal from the major.
      • All students are required to complete 50 hours of clinical experience prior to beginning the professional curriculum in partial fulfillment of the progression  Volunteer Hrs Verification.pdf

      Pre-Professional Curriculum

      All physical therapy majors in the three-year pre-professional curriculum must meet the following academic requirements prior to the summer of the fourth year of study in order to have a guaranteed seat in the professional curriculum.  

      • Must maintain an overall cumulative QPA of 3.20 or higher. 
        • The overall cumulative QPA will be reviewed at the end of each year of the pre-professional curriculum to assess progress towards the attainment of entrance requirements for the professional phase of the program.  
        • QPA’s are evaluated as reported on the student’s Saint Francis University transcript.  Transfer credits are accepted but not included in the QPA calculation.  
      • Must maintain a cumulative QPA of 3.20 or higher in all prerequisite courses. Grades below a  “C” are not accepted. The student may, prior to the end of the spring semester of the junior  year, retake up to two courses one time to achieve the minimum grade of “C.” 
        • Cumulative and pre-requisite QPA will be reviewed at the end of the junior year. QPA’s are evaluated as reported by the student’s transcript. 
        • QPAs are evaluated as reported on the student’s Saint Francis University transcript.  Transfer credits are accepted but not included in the QPA calculation.  
      • Prior to the fall semester of the junior year, 50 hours of documented volunteer experience or paid employment in two different physical therapy practice settings. 
      • Completion of the pre-professional curriculum in 3 consecutive years. 

      Students who do not achieve the required progression standards at the time for matriculation into the professional program will be dismissed from the 3+3 program and transferred into the 4 +3 program. 

      • A student dismissed from the physical therapy major should contact the Office of Advising and Retention to select another major. A seat in the professional curriculum of the physical therapy major is not guaranteed for a student who does not meet these progression standards.
      • Any student dismissed from the physical therapy major may apply for readmission according to the Physical Therapy Department Internal Transfer Policy or as a graduate admission.

      *The cumulative math/science QPA is based on courses taken at SFU; BIOL 111, 205, 206, CHEM 113, 114, EXPH 305, PHYS 104,105, STAT 205.

    • Essential Functions of the PT Student

      PDF

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