Admission
- DPT Application Deadlines
- Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants
- Admission Requirements – International Applicants
- Frequently Asked Questions
DPT Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted year-round, however, to ensure consideration for the February start date, completed applications should be received by October 1.
Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants
The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.
International students have a separate application procedure that precedes the standard admission process. View international requirements below or contact the International Center at +1-626-812-3055 or by email.
DPT applicants must possess:
- A bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required. - Prerequisite courses
Applicants must fulfill prerequisite courses prior to entry into the program. Prerequisite courses must be similar in value to courses offered by an accredited four-year college or university. Grades of C or better are required. Science courses must have laboratories. No prerequisite work may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. AP credit/CLEP cannot be used for prerequisite requirements. Online nonscience courses are acceptable. Online science courses that are hybrid courses with online lectures and in-person labs may be acceptable. Courses can be taken at any regionally accredited college or university. All prerequisite coursework more than 7 years old is not accepted. - A minimum 3.0 overall GPA
A 3.0 baccalaureate or master’s grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale is required. - A cumulative science GPA of 2.8 or above
- Clinical experience
100 hours of clinical experience in a physical therapy setting are required. - Computer literacy
Applicants must submit:
- A Graduate Application (Apply Online)
- Official transcripts: transcripts to be submitted directly to PTCAS. Mail transcripts to APU’s Graduate Center only if admitted into the program.
Request that official transcripts be sent to APU’s Graduate Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU’s domestic applicant transcript policy. - GRE scores
Request that the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years be sent directly from the testing agency to APU’s Graduate Center. - Three letters of recommendation
Request letters of recommendation to be submitted by persons well-suited to evaluate qualifications for graduate study and/or physical therapy: one must be from a registered/licensed physical therapist and two from faculty members familiar with academic work in areas closely related to the proposed field of study or responsible persons well-informed about relevant work completed by the student.
Highly Recommended:
Verbal = 500/150
Quantitative = 500/150
Analytical = 4.0
GRE scores and transcript (if admitted into the program) should be sent to:
Graduate Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
Fax: (626) 815-4545
graduatecenter@apu.edu
Applicants must also:
- Meet technical standards
Applicants must meet the Minimum Technical Standard for Admission and Matriculation (PDF) in order to perform common clinical functions. Technological compensation can be made in some areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
What to Expect
Once all admission materials have been received by the appropriate office, the Graduate Admissions and department faculty review the applicant’s file. The applicant is then notified of the committee’s decision.
Admission Requirements – International Applicants
Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).
To apply to be a graduate student at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and other admission requirements specified by the program.
International applicants must:
- Meet all standard admission requirements above
International applicants must fulfill the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above in addition to meeting the following criteria. - Demonstrate proficiency in English
Applicants should refer to APU’s English Proficiency Requirements to learn more. - Enroll in TESL 500
Applicants must take TESL 500 English for Internationals during their first semester at APU, unless their undergraduate degree is from an institution in which the language of instruction is English.
International applicants must also submit:
- A Graduate Application (Apply Online)
- Official transcripts
Request that official transcripts be sent to APU’s International Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU’s international applicant transcript policy. - Evaluation Report: Request foreign transcripts evaluation report be sent to www.ptcas.org.
- Official TOEFL/IELTS score report
Request official TOEFL/IELTS test scores sent directly from the academic institution to APU’s International Center. For more information, read our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Doctoral Programs. - An affidavit of support and a bank statement
International applicants must provide an affidavit of support and a bank statement proving financial ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources. - A recent photo
International applicants must submit one recent photo of yourself. - A résumé showing work experience
International applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates recent work experience.
Submit all materials to:
International Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
USA
+1-626-815-3055
Fax: +1-626-815-3801
Email IC
What to Expect
After all admission materials have been received by the International Center, the department reviews the applicant’s file. The student is notified of the committee’s decision within approximately two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline?
The Department of Physical Therapy takes applicants year-round which are reviewed
and acted upon in the order in which they are received. In order to assure your
place in the spring class each year, we need your application by October 1.
Can December graduates be admitted for the spring program?
Yes, they may be admitted with a status of incomplete until their posted degree is attained.
What is the minimum GPA requirement for admission to the program?
A cumulative GPA of 3.0. (Candidates with a GPA of 2.5-2.99 may be considered
for provisional admission.)
Is it difficult to be admitted to the program?
It is not easy to get into any professional program, but we consider the total applicant. The program looks for applicants who will be lifelong learners, compassionate individuals, and successful in learning a large amount of information in a short period of time.
How many students do you admit to the DPT program each year?
The program is set up to admit a maximum of 40 students.
When do all of the prerequisites need to be completed?
All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall before the program
starts. Applicants are welcome to call for information, or send transcripts
for review to Anel Herrera, at (626) 815-5014.
Is it necessary to take the GRE?
Yes, a GRE score is required for admittance consideration.
