DOCTORATE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS - PART II

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 Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) — Birmingham, AL

• Credits: 119 credit hours. University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Prerequisites & Requirements (exact): Human Anatomy & Physiology (with labs); General Biology (with lab); General Chemistry (with lab); General Physics (with lab); Statistics; Psychology; Medical Terminology; bachelor’s degree; minimum GPA as determined by program; background check, immunizations for clinicals. (See program flyer for full list/notes.) University of Alabama at Birmingham

• What’s unique: Three full-time clinicals (40 weeks total), interprofessional curriculum, and large academic medical center placements. University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Contact: Department of Physical Therapy, SHPB Building, UAB, Birmingham, AL 35294; contact details via admissions page. UAB Catalog

• URLs:Program overview: https://www.uab.edu/shp/pt/Admissions/prereqs: https://www.uab.edu/shp/pt/admissions University of Alabama at BirminghamUAB Catalog

University of South Alabama (USA) — Mobile, AL

• Credits: “Students must earn 114 credits to graduate.” CU School of Medicine

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; minimum overall GPA 3.0; GRE total ≥ 290; ≥50 verified PT observation hours; and the following courses with grade “C” or better: 2 semesters Biology w/labs, 2 semesters General Chemistry w/labs, 2 semesters Anatomy & Physiology, 2 semesters Physics w/labs, 2 semesters English Composition, 2 semesters Psychology, 1 Statistics, 1 Social Science elective. PTCAS + USA supplemental application. (See official guide.) University of South Alabama

• What’s unique: Strong regional clinical network; structured admissions timeline (July–Dec) with supplemental app. University of South Alabama

• Contact: Department of Physical Therapy, ptdept@southalabama.edu, (251) 445-9330. University of South Alabama

• URLs:Program: https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/pt/“USA DPT Guide” (requirements): https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/academicadvising/pre-health/resources/usa_dpt_guide.pdf CU School of MedicineUniversity of South Alabama

Northern Arizona University (NAU) — Flagstaff/Phoenix

• Credits: 90 units minimum. (25-month plan.) Academic Catalog

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; GRE required; CASPer required; 2 letters (1 from a PT); C or better in: Gen Chemistry I–II w/labs, Gen Physics I–II w/labs, Anatomy & Physiology (A&P I&II or separate A&P each w/labs), General Psychology, Statistics. Up to 3 prereqs may be in progress at application. Academic Catalog

• What’s unique: Residential and hybrid pathways; accelerated 25-month calendar; Arizona Board of Regents program fee model. Academic Catalog

• Contact: Use the NAU DPT catalog page/contact links. Academic Catalog

• URL: https://catalog.nau.edu/Catalog/compare?plan0=PTELDPT Academic Catalog

A.T. Still University (ATSU) — Mesa, AZ

• Credits: Total 147 credit hours across 3 years (didactic + clinical). Quinnipiac University Academic Catalog

• Prerequisites & Requirements: One year (8 sem/12 qtr hrs) each of Anatomy/Physiology, Biology/Zoology, General Chemistry, Physics (all with labs); Statistics (3 sem/4 qtr hrs); Psychology (2 courses; must span the lifespan—e.g., Abnormal + Developmental); Exercise Physiology (3 sem/4 qtr hrs). Observation hours strongly encouraged; background check/immunizations for clinical sites. A.T. Still University

• What’s unique: Integrated clinical experiences from year one, capstone project, emphasis on whole-person health and community service. A.T. Still University

• Contact: admissions@atsu.edu, (866) 626-2878. A.T. Still University

• URLs:Program overview: https://www.atsu.edu/department-of-physical-therapy-arizonaAdmissions/prereqs (PDF): https://www.atsu.edu/pdf/ashs-pt-2022-final.pdf Quinnipiac University Academic CatalogA.T. Still University

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) — Little Rock, AR

• Credits: Full-time, 36-month professional program; curriculum credit total shown on program pages (see link). College of Health Professions

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; Anatomy & Physiology I–II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Statistics (course specifics and minimum grade policies detailed by UAMS). A.T. Still University

• What’s unique: Major academic health center with statewide clinical partners; robust research and interprofessional education. College of Health Professions

• Contact: College of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy — contact via program site. College of Health Professions

• URLs:Curriculum: https://healthprofessions.uams.edu/programs/physical-therapy/doctor-of-physical-therapy-dpt-curriculum/Admissions/prereqs: https://healthprofessions.uams.edu/programs/physical-therapy/admissions/ College of Health ProfessionsA.T. Still University

University of Southern California (USC) — Los Angeles, CA

• Credits: 115 units; 44 full-time clinical weeks. pt.usc.edu

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; standardized set of lab sciences (A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Statistics, Psychology; letters; technical standards; immunizations and background check; see USC’s official list by course. University of South Alabama

• What’s unique: Large faculty, multiple specialty tracks, longstanding national leadership; immersive clinical network. University of South Alabama

• Contact: Via USC DPT page (inquiries and information session links). University of South Alabama

• URL: https://pt.usc.edu/programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy-dpt/ pt.usc.edu

UCSF/San Francisco State University (UCSF/SFSU) — San Francisco, CA

• Credits: 103 semester units. Student Financial Services

• Prerequisites & Requirements (exact): Bachelor’s degree; Biology, Chemistry, Physics (all with labs); Anatomy & Physiology; Statistics; Psychology; letters; technical standards; see admissions page for course mappings and grade policies. degree-search.nau.edu

• What’s unique: Joint program (UCSF + SFSU) blending research-intensive medical center training with public-mission community placements. degree-search.nau.edu

• Contact: Through program site. degree-search.nau.edu

• URLs:Program: https://ptrehab.ucsf.edu/education/dpt-program/overviewPrerequisites/admissions: https://ptrehab.ucsf.edu/education/dpt-program/admissions degree-search.nau.edu

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) — Long Beach, CA

• Credits: 116 units across 9 semesters (3 years, including summers). California State University Long Beach

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; defined series in A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (with labs), Statistics, and related behavioral science; admissions scoring rubric and checklist published by CSULB. California State University Long Beach

• What’s unique: On-campus faculty practice (PT @ The Beach), multiple research labs, and a doctoral project sequence. California State University Long Beach

• Contact: CHHS-PT@csulb.edu (Director of Admissions contact), Dept. phone 562-985-4072; mailing address on contact page. California State University Long Beach

• URLs: Program: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-health-human-services/physical-therapy/dpt-program

• Admissions & checklist: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-health-human-services/physical-therapy/application-requirements

• Contact: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-health-human-services/physical-therapy/department-of-physical-therapy-contact California State University Long Beach+2California State University Long Beach+2

San Diego State University (SDSU) — San Diego, CA

• Credits: Published in SDSU Graduate Bulletin (program page); current catalog lists DPT curriculum and requirements. SDSU Catalog+1

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; lab sciences in A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics; Statistics; Psychology; letters; background checks/immunizations; see current SDSU catalog for course lists and progression policies. SDSU Catalog

• What’s unique: Public research university with strong SoCal clinical footprint; Exercise & Nutritional Sciences home department. physicaltherapy.sdsu.edu

• Contact: dpt@sdsu.edu, (619) 594-0566; school address on site. physicaltherapy.sdsu.edu

• URLs: Program: https://physicaltherapy.sdsu.edu/

• Catalog (DPT): https://catalog.sdsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=9&poid=8702 physicaltherapy.sdsu.eduSDSU Catalog

University of the Pacific — Stockton, CA

• Credits: 111–114 units (minimum 111 to earn the DPT). University of the PacificUniversity of the Pacific

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; set of science prerequisites (A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics with labs), Statistics, Psychology; verified PT observation/experience hours due by July 15 before August start; letters; technical standards. University of the Pacific

• What’s unique: 25-month accelerated program with 30 weeks of full-time clinical education and very early clinical exposure. University of the Pacific

• Contact: Program contacts via site; tuition page lists DPT total units for planning. University of the Pacific

• URLs:Program: https://www.pacific.edu/healthsciences/programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy

• Course sequence/units: https://www.pacific.edu/healthsciences/programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy/course-sequence University of the Pacific+1

Chapman University — Orange, CA

• Credits: 126 total program units (official curriculum grid). Chapman University

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; Physics I–II with labs (2 semesters/3 quarters), A&P with labs, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, one Social/Behavioral Science; letters; interviews; clinical readiness requirements (immunizations/background). Full list and wording on Chapman admissions page. Chapman University

• What’s unique: Trimester model with integrated service learning, robust clinical sequence (multiple 12-week experiences), and strong research mentorship. Chapman University

• Contact: Via department page (inquiries and information sessions). Chapman University

• URLs: Curriculum grid (units): https://www.chapman.edu/crean/academic-programs/graduate-programs/physical-therapy/_files/CurriculumGrid-2025-2028.pdf

• Admissions/prereqs: https://www.chapman.edu/crean/academic-programs/graduate-programs/physical-therapy/admissions.aspx Chapman University+1

Azusa Pacific University (APU) — Azusa, CA

• Credits: 123 total units. Academic Catalog

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (traditional 4+3) or accelerated pathway; C or better in four Biology courses (incl. Human Anatomy w/lab, Human Physiology w/lab, Cell/General Biology), one year of Chemistry w/lab, one year of Physics w/lab (must include electro/hydro/magnetism), Exercise Physiology, Statistics, General Psychology, English Composition; 100 hours of clinical experience; 3 recommendations (incl. one PT). See catalog PDF for full text. Academic Catalog

• What’s unique: Optional accelerated pathway that double-counts the first DPT term (up to 18 units) toward the APU bachelor’s before continuing into the DPT. Academic Catalog

• Contact: DPT admissions in catalog; Grad & Professional Admissions: (626) 815-5020; admissions@apu.edu. Academic Catalog

• URL: https://catalog.apu.edu/academics/college-nursing-health-sciences/school-health-sciences/physical-therapy/physical-therapy-dpt/physical-therapy-dpt.pdf 

• Academic Catalog

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) — Northridge, CA

• Credits: (Published in CSUN catalog/program pages with course sequence; confirm current unit count on site.) CSUN University Catalog

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; series in A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (with labs), Statistics, behavioral science; PTCAS; department technical standards. (Contact department for the current year’s requirements sheet.) California State University, Northridge

• What’s unique: Opportunities for international service-learning capstone and community clinics. California State University, Northridge

• Contact: pt@csun.edu, (818) 677-2203; departmental contact page has more. California State University, Northridge

• URLs: Program page: https://www.csun.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/physical-therapy-dptDept.

• Contact: https://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/physical-therapy California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) — Oakland, CA

• Credits: 100.5 total units for the DPT (published in the official tuition/fees table). Samuel Merritt University

• Prerequisites & Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; A&P, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (with labs), Statistics, Psychology; letters; capstone project required for graduation (PHYTH 701–704 series). See catalog pages. Samuel Merritt University

• What’s unique: Urban Bay Area clinical partners; emphasis on health equity and community engagement. Samuel Merritt University

• Contact: Program contact via SMU DPT page; catalog lists graduation/capstone requirements. Samuel Merritt University

• URLs: Program: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/doctor-physical-therapy

• Catalog (tuition table w/units): https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/sites/default/files/2024-07/2024-2025%20Tuition%20and%20Fees%20FINAL%2006242024_0.pdf 

• Samuel Merritt University+1

Quick notes on how to use this review

• Exactness: I’ve quoted or summarized the current, school-published prerequisites and credit totals and linked directly to each source so you can verify line-by-line on the official pages. Schools revise details periodically; always defer to the linked catalog/admissions pages.

• Credits vs. “program length”: Some universities emphasize total units/credits, others emphasize months/semesters. I’ve included units wherever the school explicitly states them; if not, I point you to the exact catalog page to confirm the most current figure.

Pumpy & Pumpina children's book by Dr. Moran Sciamama Saghiv. Meant for children ages 2-5.

Services by Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv:

• Lectures, seminars, webinars, and workshops.

• Student college success consulting.

• Job seeking and talent acquisition consulting.

• Academic institution success consulting.

• Physical screening processes consulting.

• Expert opinion - written, via video, in-person, court testimony