School of Health Sciences Physical Therapy

PT Admissions

Students applying to the program must obtain a Baccalaureate degree prior to entrance into the DPT Program though they may apply during their senior year of undergraduate study. In addition to the degree, certain prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to entrance into the program. All coursework must be completed and a Baccalaureate degree obtained by June 1st.

Application Information

The USD PT Department offers a clinical doctorate-level program for individuals seeking entry-level professional education. All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree. The course of study is offered in three consecutive years of coursework.

Enrollment is limited to 26 students. Students are selected through a competitive application process based on evaluation of the following factors (in no order of importance):

  1. Academic preparation (minimum cumulative and prerequisite grade point averages of 3.0 are required)
  2. Essay
  3. 50 hours of physical therapy observation and/or experience
  4. Reference letters
  5. A personal interview
  6. GRE scores

The PT Admissions Committee selects the 26 students for admissions. The committee may be comprised of any combination of the following individuals:

  1. PT faculty
  2. Members of the SD PT Association
  3. Faculty members from the Basic Sciences
  4. Alumni of the PT Program
  5. Clinical Faculty

Application Deadlines for Fall 2012 Program Entrance

 

Early Admission

General Admission

Application Deadline

    
Application material must be submitted to PTCAS & USD by this date. ***NOTE GRE CHANGES BELOW

September 15, 2011

December 1, 2011
Scheduled Interview Dates (by invitation only)

Nov. 18-19, 2011

Feb. 17-18, 2012
Minimum Requirements for Interview Selection

Must meet four of the five thresholds (modified annually):

  1. Cumulative GPA:  3.70
  2. Prerequisite GPA:  3.60
  3. Verbal GRE:  440
  4. Quantitative GRE:  620
  5. Analytical Writing GRE:  4.00

Must meet both of the following requirements:

  1. Minimum Cumulative GPA:  3.0
  2. Minimum Prerequisite GPA:  3.0

***Due to changes in the GRE, early applicants MUST take the GRE before July 31st. General applicants must take the GRE by November 1, 2011. The oldest GRE scores considered will be November 1, 2006.

Application Instructions

 

New application instructions will be updated annually in July.