Admission Requirements

**The Physical Therapy Department at Mount St. Joseph University participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS. Applicants applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must apply online using the PTCAS application.

Admission Criteria

  • Completion of the PTCAS application including ALL verifications, transcripts, etc. by the application deadline as posted on PTCAS 
  •  Conferment of a bachelor's degree prior to matriculation date (program start)
  • Minimum Overall and Science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Undergraduate coursework from ALL institutions attended/courses taken will be included in this calculation.
  •  Completion of at least 30 hours of clinical observation supervised by a physical therapist. Hours must include a minimum of 10 hours in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Observation hours must be verified by supervising physical therapist by the application deadline in order to be considered.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite coursework, with a grade of “C” or better (this includes C+, C, and C-) by matriculation date. Students may apply for admission before completing all prerequisite coursework. However, at least 2/3rds of science prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline.
  • GRE is NOT required.

Pre-requisite Coursework

Sciences- one (1) year [two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters] of each of the following courses with laboratory:

  • Anatomy and Physiology (human is preferred, although mammalian or vertebrate are also acceptable; courses in exercise physiology do NOT count towards the physiology requirement)
  • Physics (algebra/trigonometry-based as well as calculus-based courses are acceptable)
  • Chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry are all acceptable)

Science coursework needs to be completed within 5 years of application date unless the applicant has recent work experience in the field of study.

Psychology (one course)

Statistics (one course)

Social Science coursework needs to be completed within 10 years of the application date unless the applicant has recent work experience in the field of study.

Advanced Placement (AP) dual credit (post-secondary or college-credit plus) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For consideration, CLEP and AP credit must be indicated on a college transcript with the course number for which credit was received.

Additional Requirements

For International Students

  1. Undergraduate transcripts from countries outside the United States will need to be evaluated by World Education Service (www.wes.org)
  2. TOEFL requirements: paper-based - 510 undergraduate, 560 graduate, computer-based - 220, i-TOEFL - 83. (www.ets.org/toefl). 
  3. Permanent residents must provide a copy of Alien Registration Card (green card) or a copy of visa documentation.
  4. Declaration of Finances (for F-1 Visa), either I-134 or certified bank statement on letterhead with dollar amount equal to one year’s tuition, housing, etc.

Technical Standards

The DPT program has established specific technical standards for admission. These standards reflect the minimum mental and physical requirements necessary to become a physical therapist. Candidates for selection to the Mount St. Joseph University DPT program should review these before making the decision to apply to the program.  After students commit to a place in the program, they will be required to verify they understand and meet these standards or that they believe that, with reasonable accommodations, they can meet them.  Students who need accommodation must meet with the Director of Accessibility Services to review and document those needs.

Application Deadline

ALL application materials must be completed and to PTCAS by October 1st of the year prior to matriculation to be considered for an interview. It is acceptable to be completing your degree and/or some prerequisite courses when you apply. However, all completed coursework must be documented with official transcripts by the application deadline. Admission offers will be revoked if all pre-requisite coursework is not completed with a grade of C or above prior to matriculation. 

Physical Therapy Program Graduation Requirements

Students are required to complete the 117-credit curriculum (courses listed below) following the above academic and professional standards within 5 years of matriculation.

Course Descriptions can be found here. 

Program Requirements

Hours: 117

Year One

BIO 526 Human Gross Anatomy with LAB (8)
PT 601 Foundational Science I (4)
PT 603 Surface Anatomy LAB (1)
PT 605 Clinical Exercise Physiology with LAB (3)
PT 608 Biomechanics and Kinesiology with LAB (4)
PT 610 Basic Patient Care Skills with LAB (3)
PT 611 Therapeutic Modalities with LAB (3)
PT 612 Basic Examination & Evaluation with LAB (3)
PT 615 Therapeutic Interventions with LAB (3)
PT 624 Neuroscience with LAB (3)
PT 650 Professional Socialization I (2)
PT 651 Professional Socialization II (2)
PT 652 Professional Practice I (1)
PT 661 Research I (2)

Year Two

PT 702 Foundational Science II (3)
PT 703 Foundational Science III (2)
PT 715 Acute Care with LAB (4)
PT 720 Orthopedics I with LAB (6)
PT 721 Orthopedics II with LAB (6)
PT 722 Neuromuscular Rehabilitation I with LAB (3)
PT 725 Neuromuscular Rehabilitation II with LAB (4)
PT 745 Special Populations with LAB (3)
PT 746 Pediatrics with LAB (3)
PT 747 Geriatrics with LAB (3)
PT 754 Professional Practice II (1)
PT 762 Research II (3)
PT 770 Leadership and Administration (3)
PT 780 Introductory Clinical Education Experience (2)

Year Three

PT 853 Healthcare Policy (3)
PT 855 Professional Practice III (1)
PT 857 Professional Practice IV (1)
PT 863 Research III (1)
PT 881 Clinical Education Experience I (5)
PT 882 Clinical Education Experience II (5)
PT 883 Clinical Education Experience III (5)
PT 884 Clinical Education Experience IV (5)

Electives - MINIMUM 3 hours/MAXIMUM 6 hours from the following:

PT 875 Elective Seminars in PT (1-3) 
PT 876 Independent Studies in PT (1-3)