Admissions Standards
Attend an Online Information Session
Join faculty and staff from the Admissions Committee to learn more about the DPT program and the 2023-2024 application requirements. All sessions are virtual.
Register for one of the following dates:
Summer Campus Tour
Saturday, June 29, 2024 9:00-11:00 AM
For prospective applicants who are unable to tour campus during normal weekday hours, admissions staff will be holding a group tour on Saturday, June 29th. You will have the opportunity to learn about the UMN DPT program and tour campus.
Virtual Office Hours
If you are unable to attend the Online Information Session, or if you have a specific question about your application or the UMN DPT program, you can contact our Admissions Coordinator, Mark Fierst to schedule an individual Zoom meeting.
COVID-19 Application Exceptions
Prerequisites
- Courses taken in Spring/Summer 2020 terms- we will accept S or P
- Courses taken in Fall 2020 terms- we will accept S or P for one course with approval from the program. Please complete this form to petition for approval.
- Courses taken prior to Spring 2020 and after Fall 2020 terms require letter grades
Please be aware that taking multiple prerequisites pass/fail has the potential to impact the competitiveness of the application.
Admission Standards FAQs
Application instructions may be found on the How to Apply page.
Do you accept AP or IB courses for prerequisite coursework?
Yes, applicants may meet two prerequisite requirements with AP scores of 4 or above or IB scores of 6 or above. An unofficial score report must be uploaded to the application. You may upload your unofficial transcript, a screenshot would be acceptable as well. You can add this to the "Other Test Score Report" section under the "Test Scores" tab.
How many prerequisites can be unfinished at the time of application?
Only two. If you have more that you are currently taking or planning to take, please wait until you have grades for those courses before submitting your application.
What if I repeat a prerequisite course? How will my grades for prerequisite courses be considered?
List previous attempts of prerequisite courses in the prerequisite section. When prompted, choose "Yes" to indicate that the course was later retaken for a better grade. Courses marked “Yes” are listed as previous attempts and are not used to calculate the prerequisite GPA.
My college/university grades on a A/B basis. How does that translate?
A/B = A-
B/C = B-
May I take Physiology and Anatomy I and II instead of separate courses to fulfill the Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite requirements?
Yes, but both A&P I and II must be completed to meet both prerequisite requirements.
How do I know if coursework meets the prerequisite requirements?
Follow the guidelines and compare the course syllabus to the UMN equivalent. Make sure that classes have labs (if required) and are at a level rigorous enough for entering a graduate health program. Applicants are encouraged to email umnptadmissions@umn.edu with any specific questions.
Will you accept courses from a community or technical college?
Yes, we accept coursework from any accredited college or university.
Do you have a minimum GPA requirement?
We have a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0.
Do you have a cutoff date for completed coursework?
We strongly recommend that prerequisite courses be completed within the last five years, but it is not mandatory.
How can I make my application competitive?
We closely review all the admissions requirements equally. Additional items for a competitive application could possibly include:
- Varied PT observation experiences
- Research experience
- Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record
- A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance
- A record of completion of upper-level or honors coursework
- Extracurricular high school, college or post-college leadership and community involvement and activities
- Evidence of exceptional motivation, maturity or responsibility
- Work and volunteer experience in health care or related fields
- Indication that enrollment would contribute to ethnic, cultural or linguistic diversity within the program
- Evidence of having overcome social, economic or physical barriers to educational achievement
Admissions Information
Timeline
The Doctor in Physical Therapy program offers rolling admissions from July 1-March 31. Each application is considered as it is received, and decisions are made within 6-8 weeks. Enrollment is limited to 60 students each year, and the program typically fills before March. We encourage you to apply early.
The application for the 2023-2024 application cycle will be available July 1, 2023. Please see the How to Apply page for application instructions.
The GRE is not required beginning with the 2022-2023 cycle.
Selection Process
All applicants that meet the application requirements are considered, regardless of their state of residency, race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, religious practice, and socioeconomic status. Selection is made on a competitive basis giving consideration to all of the applicant’s qualifications.
Requirements
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all requirements have been met.
- Baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited university or college earned by June 1 of the year of admission. There is no preferred major.
- Prerequisite coursework with a letter grade of C or above. Medical terminology is accepted pass/fail. Refer to the Prerequisite section below for detailed information on our required prerequisite courses.
- 40 observation hours in a clinical physical therapy setting (work, volunteer, or shadow). Exposure to multiple and varied areas of PT practice is highly recommended.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for international students.
- Two letters of recommendation. One must be from a physical therapist with whom the applicant has completed observation hours.
- Ability to meet the Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Applicants are also asked to provide answers to several narrative questions.
- All accepted students must be able to submit complete immunization records and will have federal and state background studies before beginning the program.
Prerequisites
- All prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of C or above by June 1 of the year of admission.
- Only two prerequisites may be incomplete when the application is submitted.
- Only two prerequisites may be met with AP (4 and above) or IB scores (6 and above).
How can I make my application competitive?
We closely review all the admissions requirements equally. Additional items for a competitive application could possibly include:
- Varied PT observation experiences
- Research experience
- Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record
- A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance
- A record of completion of upper-level or honors coursework
- Extracurricular high school, college or post-college leadership and community involvement and activities
- Evidence of exceptional motivation, maturity or responsibility
- Work and volunteer experience in health care or related fields
- Indication that enrollment would contribute to ethnic, cultural or linguistic diversity within the program
- Evidence of having overcome social, economic or physical barriers to educational achievement
*If you have a specific question about a prerequisite, contact Mark Fierst, Admission Coordinator, umnptadmissions@umn.edu. Please state the undergraduate institution, the specific course number you have a question about, and a link to the course catalog, if applicable.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Physics
- Statistics
- Math
- Psychology
- Medical Terminology
Two Semesters
1) General Biology, lab required
2) A second Biology course at a higher level than Gen Bio I of the student's choice, lab required.
Biology courses must be cell-based. We do not accept Exercise Physiology courses to meet the Biology requirement.
Two Semesters
1) General Chemistry I, lab required
2) General Chemistry II, lab required
One Semester
1) Human Anatomy, lab required
If taking Anatomy and Physiology, A&P I and II must be taken to meet the Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite requirements.
One Semester
1) Human Physiology, lab required
If taking Anatomy and Physiology, A&P I and II must be taken to meet the Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite requirements.
Two Semesters
1) Physics I, lab required
2) Phyiscs II, lab required
Content must include mechanics and electricity.
One Semester
1) Statistics
ANOVA and regression analysis content strongly recommended. May not be used to meet the Math requirement.
One Semester
1) Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus; not Statistics
Applicants must have a college-level math course (Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus). Calculus is strongly recommended for those pursuing the DPT/PhD. Statistics courses are not accepted to meet the Math requirement.
Two Semesters
1) General Psychology
2) Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology
We specifically require Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology and do not accept Lifespan or Developmental Psychology to meet the prerequisite requirement.
One Semester
1) Medical Terminology
This course is also accepted pass/fail.