Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to be considered for admission. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required. The program also requires a number of prerequisite courses (PDF).

Temple utilizes a holistic admissions process that incorporates key academic performance measures as well as non-academic components. We examine each application thoroughly, looking for key elements of emerging healthcare providers and leaders, including academic aptitude, determination, empathy, motivation, perseverance, professionalism, responsibility and self-reflection.

Who should apply?

Doctoral students come from all over the country and have various academic backgrounds and degrees. Recently admitted students have traditional backgrounds in exercise science and kinesiology and more nontraditional backgrounds like dance, engineering, English and sociology. The department also welcomes career changers. Some students have been out of school for more than 10 years before entering the doctoral program.

Prerequisites

Temple’s DPT program realizes the hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for our prospective students. The program strongly believes that in-person lecture and laboratories are ideal preparation for incoming students. However, the program understands this may not be feasible at this time, and safety must be at the forefront of the educational experience. At this time, the DPT program will accept all lecture/laboratory courses taken either in an online or in-person format during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. We do believe that an in-person Anatomy or Anatomy/Physiology laboratory experience best develops the prospective student for the DPT program coursework.

Prerequisites need to be taken at an accredited university or college. Trade school courses are not acceptable. Courses taken at accredited community colleges are acceptable.

Supporting Materials

Notes about the application process

Prerequisite coursework can be taken at any accredited institution, including colleges, community colleges and universities.

Interviews

  • Prospective students will be notified via email that their applications have entered the review process.
  • Selected applicants will be invited for in-person group interviews to learn more about the program.

Additional Requirements for International Students

  • TOEFL: For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL is required with a minimum score of 79 on the iBT. These scores should be sent officially to PTCAS using the PTCAS-specific TOEFL code of 5312.
  • A WES Evaluation is required for applicants who completed their degree outside of the United States. This can be requested and submitted through PTCAS.

Admissions Deadlines

Deadline: Nov. 1

Other Information

If you are an incoming freshman and are interested in applying for the Temple University 3+3 Accelerated Option, read more here.

The DPT program is accredited by the *Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Learn more about the program outcomes and essential functions, or feel free to provide feedback, concerns or complaints regarding the program.

The doctor of physical therapy program at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703-706-3245
Emailaccreditation@apta.org
capteonline.org 

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 215-204-9066 or email deptpt@temple.edu.

Laptop Requirement

Laptops are integrated into the curriculum at the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom. Incoming students are required to have a laptop that meets certain minimum hardware specifications. Review full laptop requirements.