Application Requirements

Doctor of Physical Therapy


Application Requirements

The priority application deadline for Regis University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program starting in Fall 2023 is November 1, 2022.

Applicants must submit all required admission information as instructed on the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) and requested on the PTCAS application. This, in part, includes the following:

  • Official university and/or college transcripts sent directly to PTCAS. Official transcripts should not be sent directly to Regis University. Arrange for PTCAS to receive a separate official transcript from each regionally accredited U.S. university and/or college you attended. PTCAS will not verify or forward your application to Regis University until all official transcripts and other required materials are received. See PTCAS for Transcript Request Forms. PTCAS will not accept student-issued transcripts or transcripts sent by an applicant.

    PTCAS
    P.O. Box 9112
    Watertown, MA 02471
    617.612.2040 | TTY Phone: 617.612.2060
    Email: ptcasinfo@ptcas.org
    Website: www.ptcas.org
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PTCAS
    Twitter: @ptcas

  • Three electronic letters of recommendation sent directly to PTCAS on the standard PTCAS form. Paper references are no longer accepted by PTCAS. One letter of recommendation must be completed by a licensed physical therapist and one completed by a college-level faculty. The third recommendation should be completed by either a second physical therapist, a second academic reference or a professional reference. Arrange for PTCAS to RECEIVE all of your references by the application deadline date. Personal letters of recommendation are not accepted.
  • GRE optional: Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report to GRE code #7671 for the DPT program at Regis University. By using the #7671 code, ETS will automatically transmit your official GRE scores to PTCAS. (There is no extra step necessary for you to send your scores to PTCAS.) Additional information about the GRE can be found at gre.org.
  • Failure to submit all required materials as instructed may jeopardize eligibility for admission consideration.
  • No additional applications, application fees, or supplemental items are requested outside of the PTCAS application materials.
  • Materials in support of an application for admission become the property of Regis University and will not be provided or returned to an applicant. No additional applications, application fees, or supplemental items are requested outside of the PTCAS application materials.

Foreign Applicant Requirements

Foreign applicants should submit an evaluation of foreign education credentials to PTCAS from one of the agencies approved by Regis University. Approved agencies can be found at www.naces.org. Photocopies of the evaluation are not acceptable. Refer to additional information for Foreign Applicants on the PTCAS site.

Prerequisites
The following courses must be completed prior to starting the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Prerequisites may be listed as "in progress" at the time of application. Credit must be from a regionally accredited institution. Regis University's DPT program requires a minimum prerequisite requirement GPA of 2.75 for all applicants.
Human Anatomy with Lab* 4 credit hours
Human Physiology with Lab* 4 credit hours
Biology (Lectures and Laboratories)** 8 credit hours
General Chemistry I with Lab 4 credit hours
General Chemistry II with Lab 4 credit hours
General Physics I with Lab 4 credit hours
General Physics II with Lab 4 credit hours
Behavioral Science I*** 3 credit hours
Behavioral Science II*** 3 credit hours
Statistics (Descriptive and Inferential) 3 credit hours

*Regis University requires one (1) four credit hour course in Human Anatomy with lab plus one (1) four credit hour course in Human Physiology with lab for a total of one year of study, OR eight credit hours (one year sequence) of a combined anatomy and physiology (A&P I and II).

**Any two biology courses (lecture and lab required) taken from a biology department will fulfill the biology requirement. Examples of appropriate biology courses include: Cell Biology, Embryology, General Biology I, General Biology II, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology or Molecular Biology.

***Behavioral Science includes courses in psychology, sociology and anthropology. Developmental and Abnormal Psychology are recommended.

Other courses that are highly recommended but not required for admission include the following:

Biomechanics/Kinesiology
Exercise Physiology
Speech Communication
Neuroscience/Neuroanatomy
Research Methods/Advanced Statistics
Motor Control/Motor Learning

The pass-fail option is not accepted in required courses. In addition, grades of D or F are not accepted towards required courses. We recommend that prerequisites be taken within the last five years; however, we will consider all courses regardless of amount of time since completion.


Eligibility
  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) prior to matriculation with a major in a field other than Physical Therapy from a regionally accredited Institution of higher education. No academic major is given priority consideration during the selection process.
  • Completion of prerequisite course work with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Prerequisite course work must be completed prior to matriculation; however, course work may be in progress or planned at the time of application.
  • An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is preferred, but not required.
  • Eligibility for the DPT program is pending the successful completion of a drug screening and a criminal background check. Visit our Disqualifying Offenses and Essential Functions page for a complete list.
  • Eligibility for the DPT program is pending the successful completion of the Essential Functions and Safety Forms. Visit our Disqualifying Offenses and Essential Functions page for a complete list.
  • If English is not your native/first language, you must meet the following language proficiency requirement:
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet-based: Minimum score of 82 (24 Writing, 20 Speaking, 22 Reading, 16 Listening), Computer-based: Minimum score of 213. Regis University's TOEFL code is 4656.
    • Applicants that have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited US institution do not need to provide a TOEFL score.

Admission to Regis University does not guarantee professional licensure. To learn more about licensure requirements, visit the Disqualifying Offenses and Eligibility of Licensure Notification.



Ranking

The DPT program has a competitive admissions process where selection is made based on a number of factors including prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, completion of highly recommended courses, and recommendations. Additional consideration is given to applicants who complete the undergraduate Health and Exercise Science major or minor at Regis University, and/or come from a diverse background, have earned a graduate level degree, or have earned an undergraduate degree from a Jesuit university. As a private institution, no preference is given based on residency.

Additionally, applicants should:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with the profession of physical therapy.
  • Show evidence of the potential for success in graduate education.
  • Show evidence of unique contribution and potential for success in the profession of physical therapy.

Applicants who appear best qualified for the DPT program will receive a written invitation for a faculty interview conducted in late January. Notice of admission occurs in mid to late February. Invited applicants are required to attend the campus interview on their assigned date. Phone or Skype interviews are not granted. All applicants will be notified regarding their interview status.

Since the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available slots, the committee selects a diverse student group from the interviewed applicant pool. Admission decisions are not based solely on final applicant rank.

Regis University reserves the right to deny admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment to any applicant or student who would pose an unreasonable risk of harm to self or others, or any unreasonable risk of disruption to the academic or clinical processes of the School of Physical Therapy, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, or the University. Also, adherence to the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, and Standards of Practice for Physical Therapy as described by the American Physical Therapy Association is required for all students in the program.