Admission

DPT Application Deadlines

The Department of Physical Therapy works on a rolling admissions basis. Applications are accepted year-round, but to ensure consideration for the January start date, completed applications must be received by October 15.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

DPT applicants must possess:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Prerequisite courses fulfilled 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. Science prerequisite coursework more than 7 years old will not be accepted.
• A minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• A cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants with a science GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for admission.
• 100 hours of clinical experience in a physical therapy setting.
• Computer literacy.

Applicants must submit:

• Graduate application for admission (Apply online through PTCAS)
• Official transcripts submitted directly to PTCAS. Mail transcripts for all degrees to APU’s Student Services Center (SSC) only if admitted into the program. Learn more about APU’s domestic applicant transcript policy.
• Three letters of recommendation for graduate studies and/or physical therapy submitted directly to PTCAS. One letter must be from a registered/licensed physical therapist and two must be 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.

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

Applicants must also:

• 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.

Students admitted into the DPT program are required to provide a $1,200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit to reserve a seat. The deposit is due within 10 days of receipt of the acceptance letter. This will be applied to the first term’s tuition fee.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services 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 for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Graduate and Professional Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?

The Department of Physical Therapy offers rolling admissions and takes applications year-round that 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, early applications are encouraged; the final deadline is October 15.

All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall before the program starts. Applicants are welcome to call Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014 for additional information or questions.

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 science GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for 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 74 students.

Do you hold information sessions?

Yes. Preview days for the DPT program are held three times a year. These sessions are held by a department faculty member and are highly recommended. For more information or to register, contact Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014.