Doctor of Physical Therapy – Phoenix Metro

Admissions Requirements

At SCU, our admissions process is intentionally designed to reduce barriers and provide accessible education that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and talents to students nationwide. SCU welcomes applications from qualified students from other countries. The general admission requirements are identical for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. However, immigration regulations, varying educational backgrounds, and financial considerations require additional procedures necessary for international students. DPT students are not eligible for an I-20.

Important Dates for our current application cycle:

  • June 15, 2026: PTCAS Application Opens
  • PTCAS Priority Deadline: December 1, 2026
  • Final Deadline: June 1, 2027

What we require:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
  • Prerequisite courses:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (8 credits)
    • Chemistry I and II with lab (8 credits)
    • Physics I and II with lab (8 credits)
    • Biology I and II with lab (8 credits)
    • Statistics (3 credits)
    • Psychology (3 credits)
  • 40 Hours of Observation
  • GPA 3.0 Minimum Overall and Prerequisites
  • Personal Statement
  • No GRE
  • No Letters of Recommendation

Applications must be submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) portal. Applications may be submitted with pending requirements. Applications with in-progress degrees will be reviewed if the majority of requirements have been met and the anticipated degree completion date is before matriculation into the DPT program.

Holistic Admissions Process

SCU’s holistic admission process accounts for three admission areas. Academics is only one of them, so having qualities in the areas of personal traits or skills and background characteristics can strengthen your application.  Academic history is intentionally balanced by personal traits that reflect those needed within the healthcare environment to promote a learning community that can learn together and from each other, as we all focus on developing excellence and celebrating differences.

Admissions-Process-DPT-PHX

Academic Preparation

Bachelor’s Degree Requirement

U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution (college or university). An accredited college or university is an institution that holds active accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent foreign agency. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (generally expected).

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited U.S. college or university. We will consider applications from international students who have completed their education at foreign institutions, subject to review following a World Education Services (WES) evaluation. Official transcripts verifying successful course completion must be submitted through PTCAS with grades averaging a C or higher.

Students missing a prerequisite course requirement or looking to improve their GPA can choose to take an SCU Accelerated Science course and complete the requirements in as little as five weeks. SCU’s Accelerated Science courses are prequalified if they meet the requirements listed above. Click here to learn more.

Physical Therapy Clinical Hours

To experience what a physical therapist (PT) does and what is involved in this career, we ask that prospective students have a minimum of 40 hours (paid or volunteer) observing or assisting a licensed PT. Types of settings may include outpatient settings (pediatrics, orthopedics, neurological, geriatrics, etc.) or inpatient settings (hospitals or skilled nursing facilities).

Admissions Process

  • Applicants must apply to the program through the Physical Therapists Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
  • All applications will be reviewed based on the admissions requirements and the information provided. Competitive applicants will be invited to a virtual interview.
  • Candidates offered a seat in the program will have 7 days to respond to the conditional enrollment offer, complete the admissions agreement, and submit an initial deposit to hold a place in the program. As the program approaches its start date, an additional deposit is required. These deposits are non-refundable. They will be applied to program expenses during the first semester of the program.

Pre-matriculation Requirements

Before starting the program, information about additional requirements will be provided. These may include the following requirements, which must be completed prior to matriculation:

  • Proof of current immunization status, as outlined in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Screening and Immunization Requirements Form
  • Active medical insurance
  • Criminal background check (students with a felony conviction may not be able to sit for licensure)
  • Lab Participation Agreement
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Completed official transcripts and/or degree verification from courses in progress at the time of PTCAS verification