Criteria to Progress to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

  • Successful completion of the bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2
    • Note that participation in the accelerated 3+3 dual degree program requires successful completion of the bachelor’s degree in Biology, Exercise Science or Psychology
  • Successful completion of all required prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and no prerequisite course grade below a “C.” Applicants may retake a maximum of two courses one time each for a grade replacement.
  • Completion of a minimum of two different observation experiences in different physical therapy practice settings, totaling 50 contact hours. Observations experiences may be either volunteer or paid. Examples of physical therapy practice settings include hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation agencies, outpatient setting.
    • SHU provides an Observation Form for students to document this experience.
  • Attendance at all Pre-PT advising meetings
  • Demonstration of academic ability and potential to be successful in the DPT Program as evidenced by a letter of attestation from a SHU faculty member who has had the student in class
    • SHU provides an Academic Attestation Form
  • Demonstration of strong work ethic and interpersonal skills as evidenced by a letter of attestation from an employer who can speak to work performance
  • Submission of a reflection statement, approximately one double-spaced page, addressing each of the following topics:
    • Briefly describe the types of experiences you have had in physical therapy and/or health care thus far. Include some indication of how extensive (comprehensive) each exposure was and how it contributed to your continued pursuit of a physical therapy career.
    • Identify a project you completed that you believe required the most independent learning on your part. The project does not have to be something you did as part of your schooling. Briefly describe what the project involved. Identify why you considered the experience to have been “independent” learning. Identify whether you consider the experience to have been successful, including why. Identify one way you would change the experience if you had it to do again that would make it a better or more positive learning experience.
  • Successful development of professional and interprofessional skills
    • DPT faculty evaluate students’ progression in the development of the professional and interprofessional skills necessary for successful participation in the DPT program and practice as a Physical Therapist during the PT Dual Degree days in the fall of their junior (3+3) or senior (4+3) year.
  • Successful demonstration of collaboration and problem-solving skills during a mock tutorial session on PT Dual Degree Days
  • Successful demonstration of student’s potential for success in the Problem-Based Learning curriculum of the DPT program as evidenced through a meeting with a PT faculty member on PT Dual Degree Days
  • Submission of a form of acknowledgment and understanding of Essential Functions of the Physical Therapy profession

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; or website. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, call 203-396-8078 or email petrosinoc@sacredheart.edu.