Doctor of Physical Therapy – Mission and Admission Requirements
Program Admission and Prerequisites
Students applying to the DPT Program should have the requisite skills and demonstrated potential to navigate the academic rigors of an accelerated and hybrid model of DPT education. Students should be mature adult learners with the ability, initiative, and flexibility to learn and work independently and collectively in online, onsite, and clinical environments. Additionally, students should have a reasonable level of technology literacy prior to the start of classes. These demonstrable attributes prepare students for the demands of a challenging blended-learning curriculum and a dynamic profession.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
In order to be considered for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at South College, the following criteria must be met:
- Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to classes beginning. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
- Complete all required prerequisite courses.
- Pre-requisite GPA must be 3.00 GPA or greater on a 4.00 scale
- Grades below “C” in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.
- If a prerequisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The prerequisite GPA will be determined using the highest course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
- If cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if they have a GPA of 3.00 or greater on their last 60 credits and demonstrates life experience(s)/non-academic factors during or following undergraduate education that support growth and success within an accelerated, hybrid DPT program as determined by the SC DPT Admissions.
- Submit a minimum of two (2) references from the following:
- licensed physical therapist,
- academic advisor/professor
- supervisor/employer
- applicant’s choice.
- References cannot consist of family, friends, clergy, or politicians.
- Complete virtual interview
- For all applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses in a foreign country, demonstration of English language proficiency is required through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- Successful completion of an admission interview. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents.
- Ability to fulfill the Technical Standards for admission outlined on the DPT website.
- Complete an approved Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to matriculation.
- Due to the way that the South DPT program is classified according to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, our students are not eligible for educational visas. Accordingly, we are only able to admit applicants who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
ADMISSION PREREQUISITES:*
- Biology with laboratory recommended (8 quarter hours/6 semester hours);
- General Chemistry with laboratory (12 quarter hours/8 semester hours);
- General Physics with laboratory (12 quarter hours/8 semester hours);
- Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory (12 quarter hours/8 semester hours)**;
- Statistics (4.5 quarter hours/3 semester hours);
- General Psychology (4.5 quarter hours/3 semester hours)
- Upper Level Psychology (4.5 quarter hours/3 semester hours)
- English Composition or Writing (4.5 quarter hours/3 semester hours).
*See Accepted Courses for Program Prerequisites included on the DPT website.
**Applicants must complete Anatomy and Physiology courses within the last 5 years prior to application or demonstrate ongoing work experiences that have kept this knowledge current (e.g. physical therapist assistant, athletic trainer, etc.). All remaining letter-graded prerequisite coursework is acceptable no matter when the coursework was completed. However, we strongly recommend that applicants take refresher courses as needed to fully prepare themselves for our accelerated DPT program.
Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit
The South College Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not grant advanced placement, credit for experiential learning, or transfer credits from other physical therapy programs or institutions. However, for students who have decelerated from one South College campus (originating campus) and wish to transfer to another South College campus (receiving campus), the following policy applies:
- Eligibility: Students who have decelerated from the DPT program at one South College campus may apply to transfer to another South College campus.
- Application Process: Decelerated students must submit a formal request to the DPT Program Directors for both the originating and receiving campuses, including:
- A letter explaining the reasons for deceleration and desire to transfer campuses
- A letter specifically addressing the student’s adherence to professional conduct standards
- Review Process: The DPT Program Director and Director of Admissions at the receiving campus will review the student’s application, academic history, and deceleration plan, if applicable.
- Course Evaluation: While South College does not typically accept transfer credits, the receiving campus may evaluate previously completed DPT coursework on a case-by-case basis.
- Programmatic Standards: Transferred students must meet all academic and professional behavior standards of the receiving campus’s DPT program.
- Financial Considerations: Students are responsible for any additional costs associated with transferring campuses.
- Availability: Acceptance of transfer students is subject to space availability in the receiving campus’s DPT program.
This policy aims to provide a pathway for decelerated students to continue their DPT education within the South College system while maintaining the program’s academic integrity and standards.
Please check the DPT Program Requirements page for information regarding matriculation requirements.