Doctor of Physical Therapy Applicant Selection Process

Applicant Review Process

Consistent with the University admission policy, admission to the Methodist University DPT Program is without regard or discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance or disability. However, becoming a physical therapist requires the completion of an education program that is intellectually as well as physically challenging that the candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner and that reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities are exempt from certain tasks inherent to the profession of a physical therapist.

Before submitting to the Admissions Committee, the DPT Program Admissions Director will verify all courses and grades entered by the applicant. In addition, the Admissions Director will confirm that the applicant has completed all prerequisite coursework and make note of any outstanding courses. Once the application has been verified, the information will be forwarded to the DPT Program Admissions Committee for the initial phase of the admissions process.

Phase I

The initial phase of the admissions process is designed to ensure that students enrolled in the DPT Program possess the academic credentials to successfully complete the program of study. Several criteria are used during this phase of the admissions process to score the applicants. The Admissions Committee will use the following criteria:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
• GPA of prerequisite coursework
• Personal essay
• Additional factors that may affect the applicant’s score during Phase I of the admissions process include:
  • Assessment of the applicant’s volunteer experience, clinical employment, or other clinical activities before applying. While clinical experience is not required, it is a desired qualification for admission into the DPT Program.
  • Graduate-level GPA. Students with graduate-level experience earn additional points based on their cumulative GPA of all graduate-level courses.

The outcome of Phase I of the admissions process will determine if the applicant is offered the opportunity to participate in Phase II.

Phase II

Phase II of the application process involves interviewing with DPT faculty. Following completion of Phase I & II, the faculty and Admissions Committee shall identify whether the applicant has met the criteria for acceptance to the DPT Program.