School of Health Sciences Physical Therapy

Application Instructions

New application packets will be ready by August 1st of each year.

Application Checklist 

We encourage you to refer to this checklist to keep your application organized.

 

  • PTCAS Web-Based Application:  The Physical Therapists Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is a service of the APTA and allows you to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT education programs.  You must submit all required materials to PTCAS by the appropriate deadlines
    • Your 50 required observation hours will be entered in detail on the PTCAS application. No signatures are required for our program; however, your hours may be verified via the physical therapist contact information you provide
    • If you desire a method for tracking observational hours, PTCAS has worksheets on their web site to track your hours or use the optional worksheet
  • USD Graduate School Fee:  A $35 Graduate School fee is required of all applicants. Please send the fee along with the PT Application Packet to the Physical Therapy Department by the appropriate deadline
    • NOTE:  There is no need to fill out a separate Graduate School application
  • USD PT Application Packet:  Please send the USD PT Application Packet and the $35 Graduate School fee to the PT Department by the appropriate deadline
  • Transcripts:  One official transcript may be mailed directly to the PT Department from EVERY college/university attended in addition to the transcripts sent to PTCAS (transcripts must remain sealed if sent to applicant from college/university). All prerequisite courses must have a letter grade.  Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted. Transcripts must be received by the application deadline for your application to be considered. The PT Department will make a copy for your file and send the original to the Graduate School along with your Graduate School fee. Transcripts from public universities within the State of South Dakota do not need to be sent as we can print them internally
  • GRE Scores:  (General) GRE scores need not be included with the PT Application Packet Forms. They will be received directly from the testing service if requested by the applicant at the time of testing. Your GRE test must be taken and a request made to have the results sent to the Department PRIOR to the appropriate deadlines
    • GRE Codes:  USD=6881 or R6881, Physical Therapy=0619
General questions about your application or application status may be directed to:

Tamara Olson (Tamara.Olson@usd.edu), 605-677-5000

For specific questions concerning prerequisites or decision processes, please contact:

Dr. Richard Ekstrom (Richard.Ekstrom@usd.edu), 605-677-5962

Dr. Becca Jordre (Becca.Jordre@usd.edu), 605-677-5087