Doctor of Physical Therapy – Los Angeles Metro
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions about Physical Therapy
How can I learn more about physical therapy?
Read information on the American Physical Therapy Association website, arrange to speak with a physical therapist in your area, and spend time volunteering (or working as a physical therapy aide) in a physical therapy setting.
My GPA is low, but I want to be a physical therapist. What do you recommend?
SCU’s holistic admission process provides for three admission areas. Academics is only one of them, so having strength in the areas of personal traits or skills and background characteristics can help. You may also improve your academic portfolio by submitting a strong GRE score (not an admissions requirement). Missing prerequisites may be taken through the SCU Accelerated Science Courses, which can be completed in 5 weeks.
What scholarships are available to support physical therapy education?
Information is available on the APTA website (www.apta.org).
General Questions about the SCU Program
How can I learn more about the program?
Click the “Request Information” button, register for an information session through the website, or email DPTAdmissions@scuhs.edu.
How do I apply for the SCU DPT program?
All applications are submitted through PTCAS.
Is preference given to students from California?
No, state of origin is not considered in the application process.
If I have a Master's degree, how is that considered in the application process?
When reviewing applications, the Master’s degree is considered an advanced degree and is a strong supplement to the Bachelor’s degree (the minimum degree required). We will still require the prerequisite courses; however, MA or MS courses may have a favorable impact on your entry GPA and should be entered into your PTCAS application.
What is the number of students who start at one time (cohort)?
90.
Can the program be taken part-time?
No, the program is designed to deliver the curriculum on a full-time basis. It is also recommended that you avoid work while in the program.
Can the program be taken online?
Yes, partially. The program has blended learning, meaning the lecture part of the curriculum is designed to be delivered online while the skills and laboratory portions are delivered in person. Clinical experiences are not online, and students are expected to be on-ground at the rotation sites. Long-term clinical experiences are a minimum of 35 hours per week, with total hours per week dependent on each specific site.
Is a deposit required upon admission?
Yes, if admitted, an initial $500.00 deposit is required to hold a place in the program. As the program approaches its start date, an additional $500.00 deposit is required. These deposits are non-refundable. They will be applied to program expenses during the first semester of the program.
What type of physical therapy settings will graduates be able to practice in?
Graduates are generalist practitioners and are licensed to practice in any setting that is appropriate for physical therapy services. Some of the settings graduates can practice in are outpatient facilities focusing on orthopedics and/or sports or neurorehabilitation. Other areas such as acute care, ICU, emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and inpatient pediatrics are examples of inpatient settings. Other more specialized areas include outpatient pediatrics, school-based pediatrics, pelvic health, wellness, performance enhancement, and integrated health.
What degree is earned after completion of the program?
The degree offered is the Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT.
Will I be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam and apply for licensure when I complete the program?
All CAPTE accredited programs meet the educational requirements for graduates to sit for the licensure exam. This exam is the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Graduating from this program allows you to select the state you want to become licensed in and complete the exam for licensure. A state law exam is also required for licensure and is taken with the NPTE. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) (www.fsbpt.org) and the Physical Therapy Board of California (https://www.ptbc.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml) collaborate within California to provide the state and national exams. Further information on the law exam content may be found on the state board for physical therapy in your preferred state or through the FSBPT.
How long is the program?
The program is 6 terms, or 2 years long.
Is it possible for me to come and see the campus and talk with an advisor?
Yes, you may make an appointment to speak with the PT Admissions Advisor and you can schedule a campus tour.
SCU Admission Questions
Can you explain what PT clinical observation/experience is required?
The minimum requirement is 40 hours of work in a physical therapy clinic, to learn about physical therapy and its application. These hours must be split among at least 2 different settings, for example, orthopedic, pediatric, neurologic, hospital inpatient, skilled nursing facility, etc. You may volunteer or work to obtain these physical therapy hours, but remember, you are there to determine whether this career is a fit for you.
I am having trouble getting PT observation/experience hours in an acute setting. Do you know whom I might contact?
Call your local hospital and ask to speak with someone in the Department of Rehabilitation or Department of Physical Therapy or drop in at a physical therapy location near you to speak with a physical therapist.
When do my PT clinical observation/experience hours need to be completed?
Verification of completed PT observation/experience hours must be submitted through PTCAS with your other application content.
Should I send the letters verifying my experience in a PT observation/experience to the university?
No, hours must be input as part of your PTCAS application, along with verification information. Make sure you speak with your PT supervisors to request they use the PTCAS letters of verification or letters of reference in time to complete your application by the deadline.
When should I take the GRE?
SCU does not require the GRE. However, if you have taken the GRE, please submit your scores on your PTCAS application.
Do I have to complete all prerequisite courses before submitting my application?
No. All prerequisite courses must be completed by Dec 31, 2026.
Do you have an early decision process?
Students are accepted on a rolling basis, so it is beneficial to get your application completed as early as possible.
Can I transfer into your DPT program from another DPT program?
No, we do not accept transfers.
Will I be required to complete a background check?
Yes. Background checks are important for your future patients, and yourself. A prior criminal record may negatively impact a student’s ability to participate in the SCU curriculum or to obtain licensure. To meet state regulations and hospital accreditation requirements, clinical facilities require students to complete criminal background checks before beginning clinical education experiences. Some facilities also require a drug screen as well. All students admitted to the DPT program are required to complete a criminal background check upon acceptance into the program. Certain convictions may prevent students from sitting for the licensure exam, and thus may result in SCU rescinding your admission notification. If a criminal conviction or other relevant sanction is shown on the background check, clinical sites may choose not to allow a student to utilize their facilities. If applicable, we encourage you to check with the appropriate state licensing board(s) to determine whether your background may be a barrier to future licensing. Some facilities require recent background checks or drug screens, so depending on the site selection, students may need an additional background check or drug screen.
How often during the year do you admit students to the DPT Program?
One time per year.
Does SCU's DPT program offer areas of specialty?
The SCU DPT, like all DPT programs, must provide generalist training, which covers all basic aspects of physical therapy. However, we offer 2 elective courses during the program to provide additional education in an area you may choose to specialize in. Specialization is a process that occurs after graduation and licensure (sometimes without a break), when you are qualified to enter a residency program. We hope to offer residency programs in the future here at SCU for Orthopedics, Sports, and Integrative Health. Other specializations will also be considered.
Is Financial Aid available for the program?
Yes. Federal Financial Aid funding and private loans are available to qualified applicants. Limited scholarships may be offered through the SCU Office of Financial Aid.
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
The PT Admissions advisor will give instructions to offered students and financial aid will assist once the FAFSA is complete.
Does the DPT program offer night classes?
Most coursework takes place during the day, but there may be some night classes needed.
What are holistic admissions?
Holistic admission is a process that provides for admission beyond just academic strength. SCU’s holistic admissions include two additional categories of strength: personal traits, and skills and background characteristics. Personal traits are behaviors that are found in healthcare workers, such as good communication, empathy, teamwork, ethical and clinical reasoning, and decision-making. Skills focus more on language or life skills that may supplement academics, such as language proficiency. Training those that speak other languages allows for more healthcare workers who can provide better care, since care is improved if we can deliver it in the language of our patients. Background characteristics are life experiences, including economic, educational, or environmental factors that each of us must face as we grow. Sometimes, book learning may be supplemented by life experiences. Applicants with matching values to the program and SCU are also viewed as a better fit for the program during the holistic review. All decisions on holistic admissions will be made using a custom rubric. Program faculty and the Program Director will determine candidate qualifications both on their applications and during interviews.
How are interviews determined?
Interviews are by invitation, based on your PTCAS application. Invitations to interview will be sent to those with applications that are strong in all areas of admissions (academics, personal traits, and skills and background characteristics). More information about the interviews will be included in the invitation letter, but all interviews will be completed online.
Integrative, Whole Health Approach
Why should I care that SCU is focused on Integrative, Whole Health?
Because healthcare is increasingly moving in this direction. You’ll be entering a healthcare system that places greater emphasis on whole-person care, prevention, and collaboration across disciplines. An Integrative, Whole Health education will prepare you to understand the many factors that influence health, the range of approaches available to patients, and how your profession fits into the bigger picture.
Why should I care that SCU provides an Interprofessional Education?
Because in the real world, healthcare is rarely delivered by one profession alone. Learning with and about other healthcare disciplines will help you understand what other providers do, when their expertise may benefit your patients, and how to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate care effectively.
Will focusing on Integrative, Whole Health take away from learning my own profession?
No. You will still develop the advanced knowledge and skills you need to become an expert in your chosen profession. Integrative, Whole Health adds a broader understanding of the patient, other health professions, and the healthcare system in which you’ll practice—it doesn’t replace professional expertise.
Couldn’t I learn this at any healthcare university?
You may encounter elements of it elsewhere. At SCU, however, this broader perspective is part of the environment in which you’ll learn from the beginning—not simply a topic you’ll encounter in an individual course or elective.