1- What is the DPT program?
The DPT is an entry-level professional program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and are seeking a professional degree in physical therapy.
2- How long is the program and when does it begin?
- The DPT program is a three-year, eight-semester (2 summer semesters and 6 fall/spring semesters) program.
- The program is a cohort program. Students take the courses together in the same order for 3 years.
- New students are enrolled in the fall/spring and start classes at the end of August.
- Applications are completed on PTCAS and are due Oct. 1 of each year.
3- Is the DPT program accredited?
The DPT is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). You can learn more about accreditation HERE.
4- How many applicants do you accept a year?
60 total (40 in Winchester/Health Professions Building and 20 in Leesburg/Loudoun site)
5- Does it matter what my undergraduate degree is in?
- Baccalaureate degree is required prior to matriculation (except for student currently in the early assurance program at SU)
- Typical undergraduate degrees include: Exercise physiology, biology, kinesiology, and exercise science. Undergraduate degrees can be in any area. All prerequisite coursework must be completed regardless of major.
- Read about the prerequisite courses necessary to apply
6- Can the DPT program be completed as a part-time student?
- SU’s DPT program is a full-time program
- A part-time option is not available due to the nature of the sequencing of the curriculum
7- What are the characteristics of an ideal candidate for your program?
- Ideally, we are looking for individuals with strong academic resilience and ability in addition to good interpersonal (people) skills
- We desire students who are creative thinkers, have excellent problem solving skills, work well with others, and can work through challenges.
- Students who are interested in local, national and global service.
8- What is the course load like each semester?
- Didactic course loads are heavier in the beginning of the program, 17-19 credits per semester
- Part-time clinical education experiences begin the first year. Full-time clinical education experiences begin in the summer after the second year.
- Credit hours decrease by the third year as practical application in clinic is increased
9- What are the strengths of your program?
- Commitment to community and global service and the opportunities for international travel/growth/practice
- Design of the curriculum which allows course content to build each semester for a thorough understanding of critical concepts
- Our faculty, many of which are board certified specialists and all maintain active clinical practice
- And finally, our students are one of our best strengths – they are talented and intellectually curious. They are motivated to become professionals
10- How do I apply?
PTCAS is the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service. This service streamlines the admissions process for students, and allows students to apply to multiple programs using a single application. More information can be found on the PTCAS website.
11- When is the deadline for application?
October 1
12- Do I have to take the GRE?
Yes, the General-GRE is required including analytical, quantitative and verbal sections
13- Is there a minimal score on the GRE required to apply to the program?
No minimum score is required for admission, but typically students admitted score at or above the 50th percentile in each section of the test.
14- What if I am not satisfied with my GRE score, can I take it over?
- Yes, you can repeat the GRE and have the new scores sent to the University
- The highest score is considered with retakes
15- If I am reapplying, what do I need to do?
All new application materials must be resubmitted for the upcoming admissions cycle to the University. See the PTCAS website for full details on applying.
16- How does the Admissions Committee decide who to admit?
The Admissions Committee considers a number of factors to determine which applicants are most likely to succeed in the graduate physical therapy program. We consider the previous college GPAs, the content and clarity of the applicant’s essays, the information contained in the recommendation checklists, the GRE score, and the applicant’s work and volunteer history. The Committee will interview a select number of qualified applicants for admission.
17- What are the requirements for admission?
There are 3 different avenues for matriculation into SU’s DPT program: Traditional Admissions, Articulation Agreement, SU Undergraduate Guaranteed Acceptance Click HERE for more information on the specifics of each path. Below are the requirements for Traditional Admissions.
- Receive a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation
- Minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 2.8 (in a 4.0 system) including:
- Prerequisite coursework (41 credit hours)
- All prerequisite courses must be at C or better (2.0 on 4.0) scale to be acceptable
- Overall cumulative undergraduate coursework
- Prerequisite coursework (41 credit hours)
- Submit an admission application through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
- Application deadline is OCTOBER 1st
- Complete a minimum of 40 volunteer hours in at least two PT practice settings
- Provide two (2) references:
- One from a licensed Physical Therapist
- One from an academic professor (from an attended University)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) including analytical, quantitative, and verbal sections
- No minimum scores required for admission
18- What is an Articulation Agreement and with which schools is this arrangement exist?
Shenandoah University Division of Physical Therapy (SUPT) values the academic relationships established between certain undergraduate Universities. As such, we have entered into an articulation agreement with each. Articulation agreements provide for priority status for a specified number of seats in the incoming class to be awarded to students graduating from any of the institutions listed below:
| Bridgewater College | Shenandoah University |
| Ferrum College | Virginia Tech University |
| James Madison University | West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Click HERE for more information about SU’s Articular Agreements
19- What if I have a C in a course, do I need to repeat it?
It is not required to repeat a course in which a C was received. However, retaking courses with less than ideal grades can often increase GPA scores and overall application profile. For repeated courses, the higher grade is used in the prerequisite GPA.
20- What GPA is required to apply to the DPT program?
Minimum of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale)
21- What is the average GPA or profile for interviewed and admitted students?
- Overall GPA: 3.56 (2018), 3.55 (2019)
- Pre-Req GPA: 3.56 (2018), 3.51 (2019)
- Average GRE Scores: 151(Verbal), 151 (Quantitative), 4.0 (Writing)
- Applications received: 721 (2018), 629 (2019)
22- How much is tuition?
- Click HERE for the current university tuition rate
- The 3 year curriculum is a total of 100 credit hours
23- Is there financial aid/scholarship/grant assistance available?
- Financial aid is available for incoming graduate students. More information can be obtained HERE:
- A very limited number of grants and scholarships are available to graduate students
- SUPT Scholarship for Academic Excellence – provides about $1000.00 per semester for the entire program. Typically 2-3 of these are awarded to each incoming class of students. Application materials are provided upon acceptance into the program and after a deposit has been made to hold a seat.
- VTAG grant – Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant – available to VA residents only enrolled full-time in a grad program. Application is made directly to the state. The award is in the range of $1500-$2500 per year, with the exact amount depending on how much money the Virginia General Assembly allocates for that program each year.
24- How many hours of observation are required for application?
Minimum of 40 hours in at least two PT practice settings
25- What prerequisite courses are required for application?
See Course Requirements on PTCAS
26- Do you accept courses taken over 10 years ago?
- Typically courses need to be completed within the last 10 years. However, in certain instances, this deadline can be waived pending the terms of its use. For example, an applicant who has taught biology or worked in a lab setting may be able to apply previous courses to their application.
- Contact PT Admissions with questions regarding courses accepted if you think you may qualify for this exemption.
27- Where will I complete my clinical experiences?
SUPT has clinical sites nationwide and some international sites. Students will complete clinical experiences in ambulatory and non-ambulatory settings. Students will also have travel opportunities outside of clinical experiences through organizations such as the Global Citizenship Project.
Students will work directly with the clinical education team to select part-time and full-time clinical education experiences.
28- What is the graduation rate for physical therapy students?
We have a graduation rate of 90% over the past 2 years (for completing the program in 3 years)
29- What is the licensure pass rate for Shenandoah University graduates?
Our ultimate pass rate is 100%; our first time pass rate is 95+% over the last 5 years
30- What is the employment rate for Shenandoah University graduates?
We have a 100% job placement rate for graduates of our program
31- If I am in high school, how can I prepare for a career in physical therapy?
High school students interested in a career in physical therapy are encouraged to take courses in sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry and physics, if offered. Shadowing local physical therapists in a variety of settings as well as other health care providers is also encouraged. While obtaining a baccalaureate degree before entering a graduate physical therapy program is typically required, some undergraduate universities offer a pre-PT major, which may assist in planning necessary prerequisite courses. Shenandoah University offers a Guaranteed Acceptance (3+3) program for undergraduate students as an option for possible admission into the DPT program as well. Click HERE for more information as the admissions requirements are slightly different for this scenario.
For general career information as well as specific college prerequisite requirements and other admissions information students can access the professional organization website for physical therapists at www.apta.org.
32- What is the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)?
APTA represents more than 66,000 Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist assistants, and Physical Therapy students throughout the United States. Among the Association’s objectives are enhancement of Physical Therapy education, practice, and research; accreditation of Physical Therapy education programs; communication with members; improvement of minority participation and representation in the profession; quality assurance; professional development and continuing education; interaction with government agencies and legislative bodies; attention to reimbursement issues; and development and implementation of public awareness programs.
33- Where can I find out about financial aid?
Click HERE for more information regarding financial aid opportunities at Shenandoah University.
34- Who can I contact if I have additional questions about the admissions process?
Contact PT admissions