Physical Therapy (PhD)

Admissions Requirements

Selection of students for the Physical Therapy Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is based on prior academic performance, clinical experiences, and references. We seek students who have qualities such as assertiveness, initiative, leadership, self-understanding, openness, strong communication skills, and who are critical thinkers. Students must also be motivated and self-directed. 

Applicants must be graduates from physical therapy schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduates of physical therapy schools in other countries are also eligible with review of academic credentials by an appropriate agency and review of TOEFL scores.

Applicants must have:

1. Be a graduate of schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduates of physical therapy schools in other countries are also eligible with review of academic credentials by an appropriate agency and review of TOEFL scores.
   • A qualified applicant with a master's degree or an entry-level DPT degree is required to complete a course of study with a minimum of 60 credit hours.
   • A qualified applicant with a post professional doctoral (including transitional DPT) degree from a regionally accredited school may transfer up to 6 credit hours.
2. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with writing component is required (GRE may be waived for applicants with academic faculty appointment and peer-reviewed publication record);
3. Completion of The Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) when appropriate.
4. A minimum of 3 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist.

The Dean is empowered to evaluate the total qualifications of every student and to modify requirements in unusual circumstances.

Foreign Course Work

Undergraduate course work taken at a foreign institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by one of the three services listed below. You should contact:

• World Education Services, Inc.
  Bowling Green Station
  P.O. Box 5087
  New York, NY 10274-5087
  (212) 966-6311
  www.wes.org
• Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) *
  511 Wythe Street
  Alexandria, Virginia 22314
  (703) 684-8406
  www.fccpt.org
  *This agency specializes in evaluation for U.S. PT licensure.
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  P.O. Box 415070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
  (414) 289-3400
  www.ece.org
• International Consultant of Delaware,Inc.
  3600 Market Street
  Suite 450
  Philadelphia, PA 19104
  (215)222-8454, ext 603
  www.icdeval.com

For more information, please contact admission counselor Ms. Rebecca Johnson at rjohnso2@nova.edu or (954) 262-1111.