Process

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The Department of Physical Therapy at Augusta University participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application System (PTCAS). To learn more about the centralized application process and apply online, please visit the PTCAS website at www.ptcas.org.

A new class of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) learners enters in August of each year and graduates after 33 months of continuous full-time study. Applications for the DPT class entering in August 2024 will be accepted beginning  July 1, 2023.

Students Doing Lab Work

Applications are considered for interview as soon as they are complete. To be considered for an interview, applications must include:

  • Complete PTCAS application & fee, including the Augusta University section (online only) supplemental application fee ($25) is nonrefundable. This fee has to be paid before THE application can be processed. You will receive an email from Augusta University’s Admissions Office on how to set up your SLATE portal.
  • Official transcripts from every regionally accredited US college and university attended
  • Three completed reference forms—one from each of the following people:
    • Physical Therapist
    • Employer/supervisor/collegiate coach
    • Professor
  • Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report sent directly to both AU PTCAS (7613) and AU (5406). Please allow at least 15 days for us to receive GRE scores. The application is incomplete without the GRE scores.  

Enrollment is limited to 42 learners/class year.  Once the incoming class has been fully enrolled, qualified candidates will be placed on an alternate list as they are ranked. Interviews generally are conducted in September, October and November and an additional interview may be conducted in January as needed.  It is in the prospective learner's best interest to complete and submit all application materials as early as possible.  Please plan for at least 15 days for us to receive GRE scores.  Applications must contain all items above to be considered complete. Complete applications will continue to be accepted until the deadline of noon on December 15th, 2023.  

Completed applications must include the University required nonrefundable supplemental fee of $25 that is sent directly to Augusta University Admissions Office.  This is done though the email link you will receive from the University’s Admissions Office (not PT program) to set up your SLATE portal. Please note that the application is not complete until the non-refundable $25 supplemental fee is received. Your application will not be processed without this fee. If you have questions about setting up your portal or fee, please contact the Admissions Office at:  706-737-1632.


Applications

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for information about the average overall GPA, last 40-hour GPA, prerequisite courses GPA, and GRE percentiles for the most recently admitted cohort of students.

Candidates for the DPT degree must hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than physical therapy prior to enrollment, preferably from a regionally accredited US institution. In addition, prospective students must have earned a grade of C or higher in all of the following prerequisite courses (see chart below). Please note that candidates may apply before completing all of the prerequisite courses but must have a reasonable chance of completing all the requirements by the time of enrollment in the DPT program.

The following minimum requirements must be met before an application will be considered.  Applicants should understand that the selection process is competitive and that satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:

  • Minimum 3.0 (out of 4.0) cumulative GPA or 3.4 GPA over the last 40 hours of coursework completed; and minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite science/statistics courses.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores:  145 verbal, 144 quantitative and 3.5 percentile in analytical. 
  • 70 hours of observational, volunteer or other work experiences in physical therapy setting is expected. We strongly recommend experiences in both inpatient and outpatient environments in order to appreciate the differences in physical therapists’ responsibilities in each setting. Observation hours must be completed by December 15th. 
  • Three recommendations that focus on the applicant’s aptitude for clinical work rather than just academic ability. These should one from each of the following: a professor, supervisor/employer/collegiate coach, and from a licensed physical therapist.
  • A personal interview is required for admission. Interviews are by invitation only and include an assessment of the candidate’s personality, motivation and ability to adapt successfully to the demands of physical therapy school.
  • Basic understanding of medical terminology is required as part of the physical therapy. This requirement must be met by taking a course in medical terminology prior to enrollment.
  • Well qualified applicants will be invited to Augusta for interviews beginning in September and admission decisions will generally be made by January. The Augusta University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program uses rolling admission. Therefore, it is in an applicant’s best interest to submit their application early (application portal opens June 16th).

 

Prerequisites

Students Doing Schoolwork Prospective learners must have earned a grade of C or higher in all of the following prerequisite courses.  Please note that candidates may apply before completing all of the prerequisite courses. All coursework must be completed by the end of spring semester before starting the program. 

 

#

COURSE SUBJECT

COURSE LEVEL

4-YR* 

LAB**

SEM HRS

ACCEPTABLE COURSES

COURSE DESCRIPTION

1

Anatomy

General or College

NO

REQ

4

A&P: COMBINED courses
A&P: SEPARATE courses
A&P: Comparative
A&P: Human
A&P: Mammalian

The anatomy and physiology requirement may be met by a one-semester course in human anatomy and one-semester course in human physiology. A two-semester sequence of combined human anatomy and physiology courses is also acceptable.

2

Physiology

General or College

NO

REQ

4

3

Biology / Biological Science

Introductory

NO

REQ

4

Biology: Cell
Biology: GENERAL

Class and lab must be a minimum of 4 combined credit hours

4

Chemistry I

General or College

NO

REQ

4

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry: Organic

 

5

Chemistry II

General or College

NO

REQ

4

6

Physics I

General or College

NO

REQ

4

 

Courses must include mechanics, electricity, heat, sound, and light.

7

Physics II

General or College

NO

REQ

4

 

8

Statistics

General or College

NO

NO

3

Math: Statistics
Psychology: Statistics Biology: Biostatistics
Business: Statistics
Exercise Science: Statistics / Research

Departmental research courses covering statistics fundamentals will be accepted (e.g. Research in Exercise and Sport Science or Statistical Principles of Psychological Research)

9

Psychology

General or College

NO

NO

6

 

Two courses are required in Psychology. General Psychology is required and the second course must be an upper division course with the preferred course being Developmental Psychology.   

10

Medical Terminology

Introductory

NO

NO

1

 

Proof of completion required before 1st day of class

 

** REQ=required lab; NO=lab not required. AP credits accepted for pre-requisite courses


Technical Requirements

Allied health student

In addition to specific academic requirements, candidates for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must have aptitude, abilities, and skills in the following five areas in order to meet the full requirements of the program’s curriculum:

    1. Sufficient intellectual capacity to fulfill the curricular requirements of the program.
    2. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, colleague, instructors and other members of the health care community.
    3. Physical ability to learn and implement the various technical skills required to prepare for the independent practice of physical therapy.
    4. Sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stress, uncertainties and changing circumstances that characterize health care practice.
    5. Social attributes and behaviors required for full use of intellectual abilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective therapeutic relationships with patients and clients.

The faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy acknowledges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and PL 103-336, The Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider for admission, promotion and graduation candidates who demonstrate the ability to perform the essential skills listed in the department’s technical standards document. These standards are admission guidelines and are subject to continuing revision and improvement.

You can learn more about the DPT program at Augusta University by visiting our department website: http://www.augusta.edu/alliedhealth/pt/index.php

Please don't hesitate to contact us at ptadmissions@augusta.edu if you have additional questions.


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