Doctor of Physical Therapy

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. (must be conferred prior to matriculation)
• Recommended cumulative and math/science GPA of > 3.0
• Recommended GRE score of > 300 (1100 in previous format) taken within the last 5 years
• A minimum of 50 hours of work/volunteer/observation in multiple physical therapy settings
• Completion of prerequisite courses listed below (all grades must be “C” or higher)

Prerequisites

• All prerequisites must be completed no later than December 31 of the year prior to matriculation
• All pre-professional academic work must be done at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
• Science prerequisite courses work must be completed within the last 10 years
• All prerequisite courses must have earned college credit hours
• All prerequisite courses must have an earned grade of “C” or higher
  
  Prerequisite Courses:
• Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs (this may be taken as two combined A&P courses with lab or one anatomy course with lab and one physiology course with lab) – 8 credit hours
• One semester of general chemistry with lab – 4 credit hours
• Two semesters of general physics (algebra) with lab – 8 credit hours
• Two semesters of upper level biology (300+) with or without lab – 6-8 credit hours
  • 3-4 hours of exercise physiology with or without lab will be accepted to meet one upper level biology course
• One semester of statistics (math or psychology) – 3 credit hours
• Two semesters of social sciences (psychology or sociology) – 6 credit hours
• One semester of math (algebra or higher with trigonometry preferred) – 3 credit hours

Admission Process

Currently in its development stage, Campbell's new DPT program is projected to start classes in Jan. 2014 (pending accreditation approval). The program is now accepting applications for the inaugural class. The application deadline is Nov. 1.

The DPT program is committed to selecting applicants who have demonstrated academic success and strong critical thinking skills. In order to be an asset to the physical therapy profession, candidates should also possess integrity, compassion, empathy, flexibility, and the ability to multitask. The goals of the admissions process are:

• To understand each applicant as a whole person;
• To evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in the DPT program;
• To assess the candidate’s commitment and aptitude as a future practicing physical therapist.

The DPT Program admits students on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply early. The earlier an applicant applies, the better the chances are for acceptance. 

Interested candidates must submit an online application with a $50 application fee to the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ (CPHS) Admissions Office. A passport size personal photograph must be included.

Additional application items include:

• Personal statement: In 4,500 characters or less (approximately one page single-spaced), applicants must describe their decision-making process in choosing physical therapy as a career choice versus other health care careers. Please prepare in advance and upload to the online application.
• PT Observation Hours Form: A minimum of 50 hours of work, volunteer, or observation experience in multiple physical therapy settings is required. Applicants must record their experiences on this form. The form can be uploaded to the online application or mailed to the CPHS Admissions Office. Examples are listed below.
• Three letters of recommendation: Two out of three letters must be from licensed physical therapists. Personal recommendations are discouraged. Recommendation letters will be uploaded to the online application.

Applicants are required to send an official GRE score report directly to the CPHS Admissions Office using the code 4575. They must also send all official college transcripts to CPHS Admissions by mail or email. Official electronic transcripts can be sent to paga@campbell.edu.

Applicants are encouraged to submit the online application (with photo and personal statement) before the CPHS Admissions Office receives their letters of recommendation, GRE scores, observation hours and transcripts. This allows admissions staff to begin the evaluation process; however, all documentation must be received before a candidate is invited to an interview.

Once a complete application is submitted it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Qualified candidates will be invited to campus for an interview. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.

Interviews

The interview is designed as a two-way exchange with the goals of discussing and understanding:

• The Campbell University DPT Program
• The physical therapy profession
• Educational background
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Leadership skills
• Rural healthcare needs
• Inter-disciplinary cooperation
• Work and personal experience

Following the interview process, applicants will be notified by the DPT program of an admissions decision through email and an official decision letter will be mailed. Applicants may be accepted into the program prior to completion of a bachelor's degree or required prerequisite courses, however, all admissions requirements must be met prior to matriculation into the program.

Application Packet

The application deadline is November 1.

• Submit an online application
  Additional items: three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a recent photo, the PT observation hours form, and $50 application fee.
• Submit all official college transcripts
• Submit GRE scores - code 4575

Please note: Applicants are encouraged to submit the online application (with photo and personal statement) before the CPHS Admissions Office receives their letters of recommendation, GRE scores, observation hours and transcripts. This allows admissions staff to begin the evaluation process; however, all documentation must be received before a candidate is invited to an interview.

Work/Volunteer/Observation Experience

The DPT program desires that students demonstrate a well-rounded, contemporary knowledge of the physical therapy profession. In order to demonstrate this, students must complete a minimum of 50 hours in a variety of clinical settings. A diversity of experience will be weighted during the application process. Examples of appropriate experience can include:

International Applicants

International applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and all prerequisite courses in a regionally accredited institution in the United States are eligible to apply to the program. International applicants may be asked to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score directly to the CPHS admissions office if English is a second language.