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

Advanced Placement, credit for experiential learning, or transfer credits from other institutions are not granted. In rare circumstances, South College DPT Programs accept transfer credits completed through a South College DPT Program. Specifically, decelerated students from one South College campus DPT program may apply for transfer to another South College DPT Program. To apply, students must submit a formal request to both the originating campus’s DPT Program Director and the Program Director at the receiving campus, including a letter explaining their deceleration and adherence to professional conduct standards. Completion of the originating campus’s deceleration plan is required, regardless of acceptance of the transfer request. The receiving campus will review the application, academic history, and may evaluate previous coursework on a case-by-case basis. Pending this review, components to the deceleration plan may be added or modified to enhance success at the desired campus. Students must meet all academic and professional standards of behavior at the new campus and are responsible for any additional transfer-related costs. Transfer acceptance is contingent upon space availability. This policy enables decelerated students to continue their education within South College while maintaining academic integrity. South College DPT students in good academic and professional standing seeking a transfer to another South College DPT program may be allowed pending approval of the South College DPT Leadership Council.


Please check the DPT Program Requirements page for information regarding matriculation requirements.

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