Prerequisite Courses

The courses below are required for admission; you may apply while coursework is in progress:

• All prerequisite course work must be completed at an accredited institution of higher education prior to matriculation.
• Applicants must have completed at least two-thirds of the required prerequisite coursework prior to application.
• Please see PTCAS for further details on prerequisite coursework.

Bachelor's Degree

Applicants must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education prior to matriculation into the program.

If enrolled in a Rosalind Franklin University DPT Pathways program, bachelor’s degree completion is required after DPT Year 1.

Academics

• Competitive overall and science GPAs.
• Successful candidates typically have overall and science GPAs above 3.5.
• All prerequisite coursework grades must be “C” or higher
• Science prerequisite coursework (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology) must have been completed within the last five years. Evidence of continued competence in science coursework beyond the five-year requirement may be demonstrated by completion of additional upper-division courses beyond the general science prerequisites.
• Transfer credits from professional programs are not accepted. RFUMS does not grant advanced standing regardless of previous academic experience or professional status.

GRE

• The Graduate Education Record (GRE) examination must have been taken within five years of the time of application.
• The General Examination is sufficient to meet this requirement.
• There is no minimum score for the GRE requirement. 
• Please release your GRE scores to code #7675 for "Rosalind Franklin U Phys Therapy".
• Applicants who have taken the GRE multiple times are strongly encouraged to submit all scores.

Physical Therapy Observation

• Applicants must have a strong understanding of the profession; applicants must have worked or volunteered for a minimum of 40 hours in a physical therapy practice.
• To be the most competitive applicant, PT exposure in a variety of settings is encouraged.
• No preference is given to applicants who complete more than 40 observation hours.  Preference will be given to applicants who have completed observation hours in a variety of settings or with varied patient populations.

Letters of Recommendation

• Letter from a licensed physical therapist.
• Letter from a science, math, or liberal arts professor under which the applicant has studied.
• Letter from a person of the applicant’s choice who has supervised work experience or is otherwise uniquely qualified to comment on potential for professional study.
• These three letters are required and must be submitted through PTCAS.

Computer Competency

Applicants are expected to have proficiency in basic computer skills.

Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Department of Physical Therapy has temporarily modified some admissions policies and requirements to ensure applicants are not negatively or disparately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the PTCAS optional question intended to allow them to share with designated programs how the COVID-19 pandemic has specifically impacted their journey toward DPT education, either personally or educationally. The applicant’s response to this question will be used to guide committee actions related to requirements identified as impacted by the pandemic.

ADMISSIONS VISION STATEMENT

The Department of Physical Therapy is committed to the enrollment of a diverse body of talented students who will fulfill our mission to prepare entry-level physical therapists to serve society through excellence in person-centered practice, service, discovery, and professional and societal leadership. A diversity of backgrounds, preparation, and interests is desirable in fostering excellence in patient care, research, education, and service to an increasingly diverse society. Utilizing a holistic review admission process, we consider a balance of applicant experiences, personal attributes, and characteristics in addition to prior demonstrated academic accomplishments. We are committed to selecting students who have demonstrated dedication to healthcare and science through healthcare and service-related employment, volunteer activity, or scholarly research; leadership potential as evidenced by participation in community and school service activities; and important noncognitive personal competencies such as strong communication and interpersonal skills, ethical integrity, problem solving, self-awareness, and empathy. The holistic review allows our program to assess an applicant’s potential to become a highly competent, diverse, and caring physical therapist.