Graduate Physical Therapy

DPT post-baccalaureate program: applicants with a bachelor's degree in any subject may pursue the DPT if prerequisites have been fulfilled.

DPT early assurance program (EAP):

• For high school seniors: qualified applicants may obtain a guaranteed acceptance into the DPT.

• For Messiah University juniors: up to ten (10) qualified applicants of any major who fulfill the program's admissions requirements may obtain early acceptance to the DPT program.

Before completing an application for any of Messiah University’s graduate and certificate programs, please read our admissions requirements to ensure that you are eligible for enrollment and to receive a helpful checklist of the supporting documentation that you will need to provide to complete your application.

There are prerequisite requirements for the DPT. Applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from an accredited institution (with no individual course grade below a C) in the following prerequisite courses:

• Biology I and II with labs (8 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (8 credits)
• Physics I and II with labs (8 credits)
• Chemistry I and II with labs (8 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Psychology (3 credits)
• Medical Terminology (1-3 credits)

• Submitted PTCAS application, which includes a personal statement

• Official transcript(s) indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. To be considered "official", transcript(s) must be requested and sent directly from all institution(s) attended to PTCAS. 

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (including a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and grade of C or better in prerequisite courses)

• Contact information for three references: please select one faculty member, one physical therapist and one personal reference who can address your professional experience and/or academic performance (excluding relatives)

• Observation hours: twenty (20) hours of observation or volunteer work in a physical therapy practice setting

• Completion of an interview: qualified applicants will be invited to interview with faculty

• Submitted Messiah University application (by October 15 of Messiah senior year)

• Official transcript(s) from Messiah University indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor’s degree. Graduate admissions will request your transcripts from the registrar.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (including a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and grade of C or better in prerequisite courses)

• Observation hours: twenty (20) hours of observation or volunteer work in a physical therapy practice setting

• Submitted Messiah University application (by December 15 of Messiah junior year)

• Official transcript(s) from Messiah University indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor’s degree. Graduate admissions will request your transcripts from the registrar.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (including a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and grade of C or better in prerequisite courses)

• Observation hours: twenty (20) hours of observation or volunteer work in a physical therapy practice setting

 The DPT is a full-time, residential program. Students applying for the DPT may be eligible to obtain an F-1 student visa from Messiah University. 

In addition to the admissions requirements above, international students interested in the DPT must submit:

• a course-by-course evaluation of all international transcripts
• English proficiency exam: only TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo are accepted

Further information about these requirements is available on the graduate international student page. Please contact the enrollment counselor for physical therapy to determine eligibility.*

*If admitted to Messiah University, information on how to apply for the F-1 visa may be found on the graduate international student page.