Physical Therapy, DPT

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. 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.
• Advanced Placement (AP) scores of 3, 4, or 5 are acceptable for general psychology, statistics, and English composition; AP scores of 4 or 5 are acceptable for chemistry and physics; unofficial scores must be submitted to PTCAS with the application, and official scores to APU, for all accepted/matriculated applicants. The credit hours and grade points will not be computed in the GPA.
• 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:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Applicants must also:

• Meet the Essential Functions for Physical Therapists (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:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

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

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

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 for the January start date, completed PTCAS applications must be received by October 15.

All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall term before the program starts. For more information, contact admissions coordinator Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014 or [email protected].

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.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program invites all interested to an information session held three times a year in the Department of Physical Therapy, which is in the Duke Academic Complex on West Campus. This is a great opportunity to meet with faculty and current students and learn more about the DPT program. RSVP and select the date you would like to attend.

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions and would like to meet with our admissions coordinator, contact Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014 or [email protected].

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Additional Program Contact

Anel Herrera, admissions coordinator, [email protected], (626) 815-5014

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of six regional organizations in the U.S., accredits Azusa Pacific University. In addition, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

If you need to contact the program/institution directly, call (626) 815-5020 or email [email protected].

An individual or organization (e.g., clinical education sites, employers of graduates, and the public) that is unhappy with their experience or encounter with any student, faculty, or staff member of the Department of Physical Therapy at Azusa Pacific University is advised to file a written complaint against the department or program. The complaint will be kept on file in the Department of Physical Therapy office under “Program Complaints” for a period of 5 years. Complaints should be addressed to: 

Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta, PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702

Issues involving accreditation evaluative criteria or integrity statements may additionally be submitted to the Department of Accreditation, APTA, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085. To obtain the materials necessary for submitting a complaint, contact the APTA Accreditation Department at (703) 706-3245 or [email protected].