admissions
Students applying to the program must obtain a Baccalaureate degree prior to entrance into the Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program. No preference is given to any specific field of undergraduate study. In addition to the degree, certain prerequisite course work must be completed prior to entrance into the program.
Application Information:
The University of South Dakota Physical Therapy 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) personal statement; 3) 50 hours of physical therapy observation and/or experience; 4) recommendation letters; 5) a personal interview; and 6) GRE scores.
A Physical Therapy Admissions Committee selects the 26 students for admission. The University of South Dakota Physical Therapy Admissions Committee may be comprised of any combination of the following individuals: Physical Therapy faculty, members of the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association, faculty members from the Basic Sciences, and/or alumni of the USD Physical Therapy Program.
Application Deadlines for Fall 2009 Program Entrance
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Early
Admission
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General Admission
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Application Deadline
Application material must be submitted to PTCAS and USD by this date; GRE test must be taken by this date and a request made to have the results sent to USD PT. |
September 15, 2009
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December 15, 2009
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Scheduled Interview Dates
By Program invitation only. |
November 20-21, 2009
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February 26-27, 2010
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| Minimum Requirements for Interview Selection |
Applicants must meet all three of the following requirements:
1.) 3.5 Minimum Cumulative GPA
2.) 3.5 Minimum Prerequisite GPA
3.) Minimum GRE Score of 1000
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Applicants must meet both of the following requirements:
1.) 3.0 Minimum Cumulative GPA
2.) 3.0 Minimum Prerequisite GPA
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Application Instructions:
New Application Packets will be ready by August 1st of each year.
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PTCAS WEB-BASED APPLICATION: The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) is a service of the American Physical Therapy Association. PTCAS will allow applicants to use a single Web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple physical therapist education programs. Please visit http://www.ptcas.org for application instructions. You must submit all required materials to PTCAS by either the September 15, 2009 or the December 15, 2009 deadline date.
Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service
- 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.
- PTCAS has worksheets available on their site if you desire a method for tracking hours, site information and supervising PT.
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THE USD GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION FEE: A $35 application fee is required of all applicants. Please send the Application Fee along with the PT Application Packet to the USD Physical Therapy Department by either the September 15, 2009 or the December 15, 2009 deadline date.
- NOTE: There is no need to fill out a separate Graduate School application.
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THE USD PT APPLICATION PACKET: Please send the USD PT Application Packet along with the USD Graduate School Fee to the USD Physical Therapy Department by either the September 15, 2009 or the December 15, 2009 deadline date.
 USD PT Application Packet
**Send USD PT Application Packet along with the Graduate School Fee to the Physical Therapy Department.
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TRANSCRIPTS: One official transcript may be mailed directly to the Physical Therapy 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. Transcript must be received by the application deadline for your application to be considered. The Physical Therapy Department will make a copy for your file and send the original to the USD Graduate School with your Graduate School Application Fee. Transcripts from public universities within the State of South Dakota do not need to be sent as we can print them internally. |
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GRE SCORES: (General) GRE scores need not be included with the USD 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 results sent to the USD PT Department prior to the September 15, 2009 or the December 15, 2009 deadline date. |
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General questions about application status may be directed to:
Tamara Olson at (605) 677-5000 or Tamara.Olson@usd.edu.
For specific questions concerning prerequisites or decision processes, please call or email either Dr. Richard Ekstrom (Richard.Ekstrom@usd.edu, 605-677-5962) or Dr. Becca Jordre (Becca.Jordre@usd.edu, 605-677-5196), Admissions Co-Chairs.
If you are having difficulty downloading the PDF format, download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you are a prospective student with a disability and need assistance or accommodations during the admission/application process, please contact the Director of Disability Services, 119B Service Center North, USD, Vermillion, SD 57069. Phone: 605-677-6389 Fax: 605-677-3172
E-mail: Disability Services
