{"id":1486,"date":"2025-02-25T22:30:25","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T22:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/dpt\/?page_id=1486"},"modified":"2026-04-03T16:20:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:20:29","slug":"requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/dpt\/requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Admission Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Requirements for Admission<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The DPT program will begin in June of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarleton participates in a centralized application processing service called Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).<\/a> To initiate the application process, applicants must apply directly to PTCAS.  An applicant\u2019s PTCAS application, supplemental application, official transcripts, and all supporting documents must be submitted and verified by the application deadline.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All applications must be submitted through PTCAS including official transcripts<\/strong> from each college\/university attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental Application:<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a candidate is offered acceptance after completing the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program interview, a supplemental application to the College of Graduate Studies (COGS) is required for matriculation. The $50 application fee is waived. A link to apply to the COGS will be provided to conditionally accepted applicants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PTCAS application opens: mid-June each year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priority Deadline: October 1, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Deadline: May 1, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apply Now<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Bachelor’s degree<\/strong>\n
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    • Applicants must have 90 credit hours toward a degree completed through a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants not meeting this requirement will not be considered for an interview.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • All students who matriculate into Tarleton\u2019s DPT program must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of classes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • GPA<\/strong>\n
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      • Candidates must meet requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies including a minimum GPA of 2.5.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Prerequisites:<\/strong> These basic requirements must be taken for credit and passed at a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All science coursework<\/strong> must be intended for science majors. Applicants must achieve a minimum grade of \u201cC\u201d<\/strong> in each of these specifically required courses. \n
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        • Biology with Laboratory (7-8 semester hours) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Chemistry with Laboratory (8 semester hours) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory (8 semester hours) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Physics with Laboratory (7-8 semester hours) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Psychology (3 semester hours) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Statistics or Math (3 semester hours)\n
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          • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants <\/strong>(PTAs) who have completed a bachelor\u2019s degree meet the prerequisite course requirements<\/strong>. They do not need to additionally take the above listed prerequisite courses. This ONLY applies to licensed PTAs who also hold a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/strong>. This pathway reflects the program\u2019s recognition of the depth and value of PTA education and clinical practice. Licensed PTAs who meet all other admissions criteria are strongly encouraged to apply and expand their impact on patient care through advanced doctoral training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • GRE<\/strong>\n
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            • Not required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Candidates have the option to provide their GRE results for additional consideration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Personal Statement<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Letters of recommendation (2)<\/strong> \n
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              • It is preferred that one<\/strong> letter of recommendation be from a physical therapist<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • The other may be from a faculty member, current employer, or other person with knowledge of the applicant\u2019s character and abilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Observation hours<\/strong>\n
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                • While applicants are highly encouraged to participate in observation hours in a variety of settings supervised by a licensed physical therapist, our program does not require a certain number of hours for application.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Immunizations, background checks, and drug screenings <\/strong>\n
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                  • State law requires all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis<\/strong> or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination before the first day of the semester.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • DPT matriculating applicants will be required to provide proof of vaccinations and\/or serologic proof of immunity (titer) for:\n
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                    • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Hepatitis B<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Tuberculosis (TB)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Varicella<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Bacterial meningitis (students under age 22 only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • COVID-19 vaccination and influenza are strongly recommended to facilitate clinical placement.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Other immunizations may be required prior to matriculation. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Negative titer results may require further immunization or testing prior to matriculation into the DPT program. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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