Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Enrollment
Pathways To Admission
- Exceptional High school applicants can apply for a guaranteed seat in the DPT program at the time of undergraduate application to The University of Scranton. Guaranteed seat applicants are evaluated and granted by an undergraduate admissions staff committee, not by the Physical Therapy Department directly. Eventual enrollment in the DPT program requires that guaranteed seat students successfully complete the enrollment requirements stated below. Note that there is no undergraduate major in physical therapy at The University of Scranton. Although any undergraduate major is acceptable (as long as the DPT prerequisites have been met), kinesiology, biology, and neuroscience are undergraduate majors that facilitate careers in physical therapy and completion of the DPT prerequisites. Contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
- Undergraduate students already enrolled at The University of Scranton, but who do not have a guaranteed seat in the DPT program can apply as an external candidate for admission on a competitive, seat available basis. The enrollment requirements stated below must be completed before application to the DPT Program. Students will be required to follow admission application requirements through the PTCAS application system. See below for additional information.
- External candidates who completed their undergraduate degree at another institution are encouraged to apply for admission on a competitive, seat available basis. Guaranteed seats are filled first, so there are a limited number of available spaces. The enrollment requirements stated below must be completed before application to the DPT Program. Students will be required to follow admission application requirements through the PTCAS application system. See below for additional information.
Application Process
Completion of PTCAS Applications
This application is for college graduates or students who plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree the academic year of application. PTCAS requires submission of personal and background information, institution and coursework information, extracurricular and work experience, transcripts from each institution you have attended, 3 references and proof of a total of 30 observation hours in one physical therapy setting.
This application opens for applicants each year in July for enrollment in our program the following June. For all applicants, an overall GPA of 3.20 with a science GPA of 3.00 is required to be considered. Effective application year of 2021-2022, an overall GPA of 3.20 and science GPA of 3.20 will be required. GPA calculations are based off PTCAS calculations. The deadline for applicants with a guaranteed seat is September 15. Beginning the academic year of 2018-2019, the deadline for external applicants is November 15th.
Deadline for Graduate Student Applications for Students in the Guaranteed Seat Program |
Deadline for Graduate Student Applications for External Candidates |
September 15th | November 15th |
DPT Prerequisites
DPT Prerequisite | University of Scranton Equivalent Course |
General Biology with Labs (2 courses, 6 credit minimum) |
BIOL 110/110L-111/111L OR BIOL 141/141L-142/142L |
General Chemistry with Labs (2 courses, 6 credits minimum) |
CHEM 112-113 AND CHEM 112L-113L |
General Physics with Labs (2 courses, 6 credit minimum) |
PHYS 120-121 OR PHYS 140-141 |
Mammalian or Human Anatomy and/or Physiology (1 course, 3 credits) |
BIOL 245 |
Fundamental Psychology* (1 course, 3 credits) |
PSYC 110 |
Advanced Psychology (1 course, 3 credits) |
PSYC 211, OR PSYC 222 OR PSYC 225 OR PSYC 231 OR PSYC 238 |
Statistics* (1 course, 3 credits) | EDU 120 OR PSYC 210 OR MATH 204 |
DPT Curriculum
Summer Session
PT 700 Anatomy for PT (6)
6 Credits
Fall Semester
PT 701 Introduction to PT (2)
PT 702 Basic Patient Management in PT (3)
PT 706 Kinesiology and Pathokinesiology for PT (4)
PT 707 Applied Clinical Neuroscience for PT (4)
PT 704 Therapeutic Exercise in PT (3)
PT 781 PT Grand Rounds I (0.5)
16.5 Credits
Spring Semester
PT 703 Advanced Patient Management in PT (2)
PT 753 Applied Pathology for PT (3)
PT 705 Therapeutic Modalities in PT (3)
PT 711 Neurological PT I (3)
PT 713 Orthopaedic PT I (4)
PT 791 PT Clinical Education Seminar I (1)
17 Credits
Summer Session
PT 792 PT ClinicalExperience I (6)
6 Credits
Fall Semester
PT 712 Neurological PT II (4)
PT 714 Orthopaedic PT II (4)
PT 741 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT (3)
PT 752 Pharmacology for PT (3)
PT 771 Scientific Inquiry I in PT (3)
PT 782 PT Grand Rounds II (0.5)
17.5 Credits
Spring Semester
PT 721 Rehabilitation I for PT (2)
PT 731 Pediatric PT (4)
PT 732 Geriatric PT (3)
PT 744 Motor Control/Motor Learning for PT (3)
PT 755 Principles of Teaching and Learning in PT (2)
PT 772 Scientific Inquiry II in PT (1)
PT 793 PT Clinical Education Seminar II (1)
16 Credits
Summer Session
PT 794 PT Clinical Experience II (6)
6 Credits
Fall Semester
PT 722 Rehabilitation II for PT (2)
PT 743 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability for PT (2)
PT 754 Diagnosis for PT (3)
PT 756 Professional Practice Issues for PT (1)
PT 757 Organization and Management for PT (3)
PT 773 Scientific Inquiry III in PT (1)
PT 783 PT Grand Rounds III (1)
PT 795 PT Clinical Education Seminar III (1)
14 Credits
Spring Semester
PT 796 PT Clinical Experience III/IV (12)
12 Credits