Application Information

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Physical Therapy Program

Applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at East Tennessee State University

 

HOW TO APPLY:

  1. Apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application System (PTCAS) PTCAS application portal  
  2. Students must also apply for graduate admission to ETSU through the ETSU Graduate School application 
  3. Send in your official GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores to school code: 1198

Separate application fees are required by both PTCAS and the ETSU College of Graduate School

 

Timeline for applying to ETSU's DPT Program

  1. June 2026

    Applications open

    • ETSU Graduate School application opens June 1, 2026
    •  
    • PTCAS opens June 15, 2026
  2. October 2026

    FIrst Round Application

    • The application deadline is Oct 1. Both PTCAS and the ETSU Graduate School application must be submitted by the end of the day Oct 1st, for consideration
    •  
    • Interviews will be held in late October
  3. March 2027

    Second Round Application

    • The Final application deadline is March 1
    •  
    • Interviews will be held in late March or early April
  4. January 2028

    Classes start

    • Classes will start January 2028

To meet a deadline, ALL required materials, including GRE and letters of recommendation, must be submitted by that deadline.

  • Application Information

    The Physical Therapy Program is selective and admits up to 36 students to begin matriculation in the spring semester (January) of each year. The program is full-time and 3 years in length.

    Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications and supporting materials (letters of recommendation and official transcripts and GRE scores) are complete by the application deadline date of March 1st.

    Applications to both PTCAS and the ETSU Graduate School must be submitted no later than March 1. Any submitted and completed applications received after October 1 will be considered for second-round decision. Applications are available using the links above.

  • Observation hours/Clinical Experience

    No specific number of clinical hours is required, however, each applicant for the entry-level DPT program is expected to have thoroughly investigated the scope and profession of physical therapy. Applicants' understanding of the profession will be considered in their essay (part of the Graduate School application) and interview.

    No specific document is required for recording time in physical therapy settings, however, applicants  are advised to keep track of their hours/locations. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to submit a resume with observation hours/clinical experience included in the resume.

  • Eligibility Requirements

    In addition to meeting the requirements of the Graduate School, students seeking admission to the entry-level DPT program must also meet the program’s eligibility requirements. In order to be considered for an interview (#6), applicants must have completed, submitted, or met the requirements in items 2-5 below by the application deadline in order for the application to be eligible for consideration.

    Applicants may be enrolled in prerequisite courses (see #3), or in process of completion of the bachelor's degree (see #1), at the time of application. However, the applicant must be able to successfully complete all prerequisite courses and/or earn the bachelor's degree prior to the Spring semester for which the applicant is applying. 

    Requirements:

    1. Attainment of a bachelor's degree* from a regionally accredited institution (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or equivalent);
    2. Have an overall GPA of at least a 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework;
    3. Have a prerequisite course GPA of at least a 3.0, with no grade below a "C" (on a 4.0 scale);
    4. Submission of official GRE scores (general section);
    5. Three recommendations (submitted in PTCAS) - at least one must be from a licensed physical therapist.
    6. A positive evaluation following an interview with the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee.

    Note :  Applicants who have completed all of the pre-requisite courses, or who have no more than one pre-requisite course still outstanding at the time of application, will be given priority by the PT Admissions Committee when scheduling interviews.

    While the GPAs listed above are the minimum requirements for admission, below are the average GPAs of those admitted to the program:

    • average overall GPA is around 3.86
    • average prerequisite GPA is around 3.80

    *While we require completion of bachelor's degree, we do not recommend or require a particular undergraduate program of study. 

  • Prerequisite Courses

    Courses - Credit Hours

    Statistics - 3

    General Biology with lab - 8

    General Chemistry with lab - 8

    General Physics with lab - 8

    Human Anatomy* - 4

    Human Physiology* 3 - 4

    Exercise Physiology - 3 - 4

    Psychology - 6

    *Starting August 1, 2024, a combined two-course series in anatomy and physiology with lab (totaling 7-8 semester hours) will also be accepted. If the courses are taken at two different institutions, a syllabus review will be required before they can be accepted as fulfilling the anatomy and physiology prerequisite requirements. Exercise Physiology will not meet the Human Physiology requirement.

    Science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) must be courses designed "for majors". Introductory or Survey classes, generally are not accepted.

    To check if your combined A & P course (taken at different institutions) can be reviewed by the faculty--please send the syllabi of both courses to,  Melanie Falkenberg, Graduate Admissions Counselor.

  • Essential Functions & Technical Standards

    All students accepted for admission into the DPT program must meet the following Essential Functions/Technical Standards prior to enrollment in clinical education courses.

    • Medical Terminology is strongly recommended
    • A physical examination verifying that the student is in good health and free from communicable disease
    • Tuberculosis screening and other immunizations required by the clinical sites
    • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic First Aid certification (if admitted, you will complete this in the first semester/year of the program)
    • Health/Accident insurance coverage
    • Professional student liability insurance coverage; and
    • The ability to perform, either unaided or with reasonable accommodation, the following essential functions for clinical practicum in physical therapy
    • Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment
    • Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
    • Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form
    • Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces
    • Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective physical therapy care
    • Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess health needs
    • Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in physical therapy care
    • Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and treatment
    • Physical ability to assist moving, transferring, and ambulating patients who have physical impairment or dysfunction.



Admission

  • The application deadline is not a suggestion! Submit your application materials well in advance of the application deadline. Applications will be processed in the order they are received and completed.
  • Make sure you request transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions you have attended (even from ETSU). Official transcripts, from all schools, regardless of number of units completed, must be requested through PTCAS.
  • Send official GRE scores to ETSU using school code: 1198
  • Use the check-list that is part of the Graduate School application to track any items missing from your application. Submit all application materials through PTCAS and the ETSU Graduate School Application.
  • Submission of more than three (3) recommendations will not help your application. Please submit only three (3), at least one (1) of which must be from a licensed physical therapist (and should be a PT under whose supervision you did observation, volunteer, or paid work). Additonal recommendations should be academic or work related.
  • When in doubt about prerequisite courses, ASK! Each PT program has its own set of admission and prerequisite course requirements. Courses accepted by one program may not be accepted by another, so verify course acceptance with the Graduate Admissions Counselor.
  • Admission and eligibility requirements apply to all applicants. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet requirements. Applicants who do not meet admission/eligibility requirements will not be considered for the program.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Melanie Falkenberg (falkenberg@etsu.edu), Graduate Admissions Counselor.