DOCTORATE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS - PART I
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This post includes information about doctorate of physical therapy programs in the United States of America (USA) as it appears on the programs website. Changes may occur between now and when you apply for the program.
University of Southern California (USC) — Division of Bio-kinesiology & Physical Therapy
Prerequisites & admissions (residential & hybrid): Bachelor’s degree; specified college-level Biology, Chemistry, Physics (with labs), Anatomy, Physiology, Statistics, Psychology; letters of recommendation; documented PT observation; additional program materials via PTCAS; GRE policy and details on the page.
Unique features: Choice of residential or hybrid pathways; extensive clinical network in Los Angeles; strong research integration.
Credits required: 115 units (hybrid pathway; representative of total program load). Feinberg School of Medicine
Contact: https://pt.usc.edu/contact/ (program contact options listed).
Washington University in St. Louis — Program in Physical Therapy
Prerequisites & admissions: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (labs where specified), Statistics, Psychology; bachelor’s degree; observation/experience hours; letters; GPA expectations; details on the Admissions Requirements page. Feinberg School of Medicine
Unique features: Movement System–based curriculum; strong research and residency pathways. Public Health College
Credits required: 114 total credits. Prehealth at Emory
Contact: https://pt.wustl.edu/contact-us/ (email/phone listed). Public Health College
University of Delaware — Department of Physical Therapy
Prerequisites & admissions: 4 credits Biology (lab), 8 credits Chemistry (labs), 8 credits Physics (labs), 8 credits Anatomy & Physiology (labs), 3 credits Psychology, 3 credits Statistics; bachelor’s degree; PT observation hours; recommendations; GPA guidance. Feinberg School of Medicine
Unique features: Early, frequent integrated clinical experiences and nationally known clinics/labs. Public Health College
Credits required: 103 credits. Emory School of Medicine
Contact: https://sites.udel.edu/pt/contact-us/ (department contact). Public Health College
Emory University — Division of Physical Therapy (School of Medicine)
URL: https://med.emory.edu/departments/rehabilitation-medicine/dpt/education/dpt-program/ Emory School of Medicine
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; specific prerequisites (A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Statistics); experiences; references; GPA expectations; application via PTCAS (full list on admissions pages). Miller School of Medicine
Unique features: Community engagement, research immersion, dual-degree options (e.g., DPT/MA-Bioethics). Emory School of Medicine
Credits required: 144 total credits. Emory School of Medicine+1
Contact: https://med.emory.edu/departments/rehabilitation-medicine/dpt/about/contact.html (program contact). Emory School of Medicine
University of Florida — Department of Physical Therapy
URL: https://phhp.ufl.edu/academics/phd-and-professional-programs/physical-therapy-doctorate/ Public Health College
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 3.0 prereq GPA; observation hours (verification rules outlined); UF-specific essay; GRE not required beginning in the 2024 cycle; full prerequisite course list on site. Public Health College+1
Unique features: Cohort-based 8-semester plan, 32 weeks full-time clinical, robust community engagement. Public Health College
Credits required: 113 total credit hours. Public Health College
Contact: https://phhp.ufl.edu/academics/phd-and-professional-programs/physical-therapy-doctorate/ (program page lists contacts/links). Public Health College
University of Washington — Division of Physical Therapy (UW Medicine)
URL: https://rehab.washington.edu/education/degrees/doctor-of-physical-therapy UW Medicine | Rehabilitation Medicine
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (with labs), Psychology, Statistics (exact course and lab expectations detailed); observation experience; references; GPA expectations. Duke University School of Medicine
Unique features: 11-quarter model; capstone (12 credits); 34 credits of clinical internships; elective opportunities. UW Medicine | Rehabilitation Medicine
Credits required: 165–167 credits. UW Medicine | Rehabilitation Medicine
Contact: https://rehab.washington.edu/education/degrees/doctor-of-physical-therapy (page lists program details and links to contact). UW Medicine | Rehabilitation Medicine
New York University (NYU) — Steinhardt School
URL: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/degree/doctor-physical-therapy-dpt physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Prerequisites & admissions: Detailed science prerequisites (A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) plus Psychology and Statistics; bachelor’s degree; recommendations; PT observation; GRE policy per current cycle. physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Unique features: Manhattan-based clinical partnerships; interprofessional opportunities through NYU Langone and affiliates. physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Credits required: 133 credits. APTA PTCAS Directory
Contact: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate (Steinhardt graduate admissions contact routes). physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Stony Brook University — School of Health Professions (PT Program)
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; specific science prerequisites including A&P with labs, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Psychology; observation hours; recommendations; GPA expectations. APTA PTCAS Directory
Unique features: Strong clinical affiliations across Long Island & NYC regions; both three-year & dual-degree options listed on site. Vagelos College of Physicians
Credits required: 130 credits total (95 didactic + 35 clinical). CORP-OPTP
Contact: https://health.stonybrookmedicine.edu/programs/pt/contact-us (program contact). Vagelos College of Physicians
Baylor University — Robbins College (Accelerated Hybrid DPT)
URL: https://robbins.baylor.edu/academic-departments/physical-therapy/doctor-physical-therapy Whitworth University
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; Biology, Chemistry (with lab), Physics (with lab), Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, Statistics; observation hours recommended; letters; minimum GPAs noted; full list on “Prerequisites” page. Vagelos College of Physicians
Unique features: 2-year accelerated hybrid model (online didactics + on-campus labs + distributed clinicals). Whitworth University
Credits required: 103 total credits. Vagelos College of Physicians
Contact: https://robbins.baylor.edu/academic-departments/physical-therapy/contact-us (email/phone listed). Whitworth University
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) — DPT
URL: https://www.usa.edu/college-of-rehabilitative-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy/ St. Augustine University
Prerequisites & admissions: Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA across prerequisites (grade of C or better in each); two references (PTs preferred); observation hours and GRE policy vary by campus/track; see “DPT Admission Requirements.” St. Augustine UniversityAPTA PTCAS Directory
Unique features: Multiple campus formats (Residential, Flex, Hybrid Immersion); 32 weeks of full-time clinical; robust skills labs. St. Augustine University
Credits required: 110 total program credits. St. Augustine University
Contact: https://www.usa.edu/contact-us/ (contact by campus). St. Augustine University
UCSF / San Francisco State University — Joint DPT Program
URL: https://ptrehab.ucsf.edu/dpt-program (program overview) ptrehab.ucsf.edu
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; GPA review includes overall, last 60 semester units (90 quarter), and prerequisites; detailed required and highly recommended courses (A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, etc.). ptrehab.ucsf.edu+1
Unique features: 3-year joint program (UCSF + SFSU) with 34 weeks full-time clinical experience; west-coast public program consistently ranked highly. ptrehab.ucsf.edu
Credits/units required: 103 semester units / ~155 quarter units (UCSF financial aid page states 103 semester = 155 quarter; UCSF catalog shows 154.5 total units, which is equivalent). Student Financial ServicesUCSF Catalog
Contact: https://ptrehab.ucsf.edu/contact-us (program contact). ptrehab.ucsf.edu
Samuel Merritt University — DPT
URL: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Prerequisites & admissions: Comprehensive list including Anatomy & Physiology (with labs), Biology, Chemistry (with lab), Physics (with lab), Psychology, Statistics; minimum grade and recency rules; observation hours; references. physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Unique features: Health-system partnerships across Northern California; immersive labs and cadaveric anatomy. physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
Credits required: 113 credits. APTA PTCAS Directory
Contact: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/admission (admissions contact options). physicaltherapy.robbins.baylor.edu
University of Miami — Miller School of Medicine (DPT)
URL: https://med.miami.edu/departments/physical-therapy/education/dpt-program Miller School of Medicine
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; cumulative GPA ≥3.0; GRE optional; all prerequisite coursework completed by program start; detailed prerequisite course guidelines (English comp/writing, Statistics, Psychology, Biology, Chem I–II with labs, Physics I–II with labs, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology or combined A&P I–II). Miller School of Medicine+1
Unique features: 36-month program with block tuition; broad elective catalog; multiple residencies/fellowships. Miller School of Medicine+1
Credits required: Minimum 103–106 credits (curriculum layouts on the site show 103–106 depending on elective configuration). Miller School of Medicine
Contact: https://med.miami.edu/departments/physical-therapy/education/dpt-program → “Contact” on the page. Miller School of Medicine
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) — College of Applied Health Sciences
URL: https://ahs.uic.edu/academics/physical-therapy/doctor-of-physical-therapy/ College of Applied Health Sciences
Prerequisites & admissions: Bachelor’s degree; GRE required (per current cycle doc); minimum prerequisite & last-60-credits GPA thresholds; ≥40 hours PT observation; detailed prerequisite subjects and grading/lab requirements. College of Applied Health Sciences+2College of Applied Health Sciences+2
Unique features: Eight-term (33-month) program with early integrated clinical experiences and large UI Health system access. College of Applied Health Sciences
Credits required: ~122 credit hours based on the official published term-by-term course sequence (Year 1: 15+19+11; Year 2: 18+17+12; Year 3: 12+18). See the department’s “Welcome to prospective students” PDF for the credit breakdown by semester. UIC Applied Health Sciences
Contact: https://ahs.uic.edu/academics/physical-therapy/doctor-of-physical-therapy/after-you-apply/accepted-applicants-information-and-checklist/ (routes to program contacts; general DPT site lists additional contacts). College of Applied Health Sciences+1
Notes on reading the above
Credit totals/units are taken from each program’s official site and represent minimum program requirements (some programs allow/require electives that can change the final number slightly).
Prerequisite details (e.g., “two semesters with labs,” “statistics may be taken in any department,” “specific psychology course”) are exactly as described on each program’s admissions page. To avoid paraphrase drift, check the linked pages while planning coursework.
Quick comparison snapshot (credit loads)
UW: 165–167 credits. UW Medicine | Rehabilitation Medicine
Emory: 144 credits. Emory School of Medicine+1
NYU: 133 credits. APTA PTCAS Directory
UIC: ~122 credits (per official sequence). UIC Applied Health Sciences
USC: 115 units (hybrid; residential track is comparable in scope). Feinberg School of Medicine
WashU: 114 credits. Prehealth at Emory
UF: 113 credits. Public Health College
Samuel Merritt: 113 credits. APTA PTCAS Directory
USAHS: 110 credits. St. Augustine University
Miami: 103–106 credits (depending on elective plan). Miller School of Medicine
Delaware: 103 credits. Emory School of Medicine
Baylor: 103 credits (accelerated hybrid). Vagelos College of Physicians
UCSF/SFSU: 103 semester / ~154.5–155 quarter units. Student Financial ServicesUCSF Catalog
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