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Admission Requirements

  • Application Process

    Gannon University and the Physical Therapy Department receives and reviews applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and all applicant credentials exclusively through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), provided by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This includes information from all previously attended university or college transcripts, letters of recommendation, PT observation hours, personal essay and supplemental materials. Full application instructions can be found on the Gannon University, Ruskin, FL campus - Doctor of Physical Therapy page by visiting www.ptcas.org.

    PTCAS

    Deadline for application is from December 1 to March 1, 2023.

    Requirements     

    The program is designed as a full-time course of study. Students are not able to transfer into the program. A maximum of 6 credits may be accepted for transfer, if a grade of B or higher was achieved, based on program director approval. Prior to matriculation in the program, students must complete and fulfill the following requirements:

    • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
    • Overall course GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
    • Science course GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
    • Prerequisite course grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
    • A series of prerequisite courses, (please see prerequisites), must be completed within ten years preceding entrance into the graduate program
    • Prerequisites courses with grades below a "C" are not acceptable
    • All prerequisite courses must be completed by May 15 in year of enrollment

    Prerequisite Course Requirements

    • Biology* 2 semesters
    • Chemistry 2 semesters
    • Physics with Lab 2 semesters
    • Psychology** 1 semester
    • Statistics 1 semester
    • Human Anatomy with Lab*** 1 semester
    • Human Physiology with Lab*** 1 semester

    *(200 or 300 level; Human Anatomy and Physiology courses do not meet this prerequisite)

    ** (200 level behavioral/social science course)

    *** (Human Gross Anatomy recommended; course should be at 200 or 300 level at four year degree granting institution)

    *** (Anatomy/Physiology (AP) 1 and 2 with Labs, from a Baccalaureate degree granting school, may be accepted in lieu of one semester of Human Anatomy with Lab and one semester of Human Physiology with Lab.

    Highly Recommended Course Requirements

    • At least two additional semesters in the Social Sciences (i.e., Sociology, Social Psychology).
    • Exercise Physiology with Lab
    • Kinesiology with Lab

    Additional Requirements 

    • Three letters of recommendation
    • 100 observation hours - multiple PT settings recommended (Update: Admissions will review COVID-related difficulties with completing requirement on an individual case basis.)
    • TOEFL - Minimum score of 550 for all applicants from non-English speaking countries
    • Demonstration of the ethical, personal and professional qualities to fulfill the role of the physical therapist as determined by review of the applicant's references and the interview process.
    • Meet essential functions of the DPT program and the Physical Therapy profession including physical, emotional, intellectual, and communication standards
    • Practice as a health care professional requires the ability to communicate both in written and oral form. The physical therapy program stresses communication and expects potential students to demonstrate graduate level competence in written as well as oral communication
    • Qualified candidates will be scheduled for an interview.

    With respect to code 668.43 (a)(5)(v), CAPTE-accredited physical therapist programs offer the following information to prospective students: The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.