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Physical Therapy (Professional DPT - Tampa Bay)

Admissions Requirements

The Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program wholistically reviews applicants based on a number of criteria including grade point average (GPA), prior academic performance, work experience, references, interview, completed application and recommendations. The general requirements include:

  1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. A minimum of 3.0 prerequisite grade point average (GPA) on a four-point scale.*
  3. A minimum of 3.0 science and movement science, grade point average (GPA) on a four-point scale.*
  4. A grade of C or better in each of the following prerequisite courses:

    Note: Applied sciences are not acceptable for admission. Prospective students who have not yet completed all pre-requisite coursework can apply as long as they will have no more than two pre-requisite courses in progress during the semester prior to the program’s Fall start and as long as they are in compliance with all other admissions requirements. Additionally, all pre-requisite coursework must be completed with acceptable academic standards before the program’s start in order to avoid an applicant being disqualified.
    Prerequisites Credits
    Psychology/Sociology 6 credits (one general psychology and an additional psychology or sociology)
    Statistics 3 credits
    Biology 7 credits (4 credits biology with lab and 3 credits additional biology course)
    Human Anatomy and Physiology 8 credits with labs (anatomy and physiology may be combined or separate)
    Chemistry with lab 8 credits
    Physics with lab 8 credits
  5. Three recommendations on the required PTCAS evaluation form. 
  6. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores from the ETS (Educational Testing Service) no later than January 31 of the entry year. The Admission Committee will not consider the application until the official GRE scores are received.  
    • GRE scores must be no more than 5 years old.
    • Applicants with an earned master's degree or higher are not required to have a GRE for consideration.
    • Both the GRE General Test and the GRE revised General Test will be accepted.
    • There is no required minimum GRE score. The GRE is considered along with all other application requirements including GPA, volunteer experience, educational maturity, and the interview.
    • Scores should be sent to PTCAS using the PTCAS GRE code for Nova Southeastern University - 7741.
  7. An understanding of the profession of physical therapy and current issues being addressed by the American Physical Therapy Association (www.APTA.org) 
  8. Exposure to and/or understanding of physical therapy practice settings such as outpatient, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and specialty practice settings.
  9. Official Test of English** (TOEFL) for international students, where the course of study was not in English

* As calculated by NSU’s admissions office

** The scores required on the TOEFL are 550 on the written examination, 213 on the computer-based examination, or 79 on the Internet-based examination. Students may also submit an IELTS score of 6.

 

Throughout the program, students must use computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. It is recommended that students have coursework or self-study to meet these needs. Also, students should have a working knowledge of medical terminology.

Additional Information

Upon review of a student’s individual record, the Committee on Admissions may require additional coursework and/or testing as a condition of acceptance. No prior graduate credits can be transferred or counted toward the DPT degree.

Inquiries should be directed to:

Jason Barshay
Senior Associate Director, Graduate Admissions
NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus
(813) 574-5286
barshay@nova.edu

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