Pre-Physical Therapy 4+D.P.T.

About the 4+D.P.T. Pathway

Liaison to the Undergraduate Departments: Kathleen Fortier, PT, DPT, MBA

This is a 4+DPT pathway leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Arcadia University. Students frequently pursue an undergraduate major in a discipline such as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Public Health, Business or Health Administration, but students can choose any major that captures their interest and that enables them to complete the prerequisite courses.

Prerequisite courses needed for graduate-level study include Biology, Human Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and Statistics. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) advocates a strong liberal arts background and doctoral training. The 4+DPT year program offered by Arcadia University—four years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree plus approximately 2 years of graduate study leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy—meets these recommendations.

The Pre-Physical Therapy pathway emphasizes the sciences but also includes a well-rounded background in the liberal arts. This combination prepares students for a healthcare profession in helping people to overcome the effects of disease and injury and in the prevention of health conditions.

Students who complete the program are prepared to work as physical therapists in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine centers, private homes, nursing homes, schools, private practices, specialized pediatric facilities, and wellness and fitness centers. They also can work as educators, researchers, and consultants in a wide variety of organizations.

Students are strongly urged to work closely with the adviser from the chosen major to coordinate the requirements of the major and the prerequisite courses for graduate-level professional work. It is expected that the prerequisite courses listed below will be taken at Arcadia University.

Study Abroad and Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physical Therapy students are encouraged to spend a semester studying abroad. Many exciting opportunities are available. Sophomore year is the most convenient time for students to study abroad. Fall semester of the junior or senior year also is possible.

Students have taken a range of biology courses in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, students have completed Undergraduate Curriculum requirements while studying abroad at some of the top universities around the world through Arcadia’s College of Global Studies. Students also have completed independent research projects or internships.

Visit the University’s website for more information about study abroad and for suggested course sequences. Since it is important that students plan ahead for study abroad, they should consult with their departmental advisers as soon as possible and make their intentions known to the Division of Civic and Global Engagement. Visit the University’s website for more information. 

Applying to the DPT Program

Students apply to the DPT program in the Fall semester of their fourth year through PTCAS (www.ptcas.org) by the specified Priority deadline. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to the DPT program. Students are strongly encouraged to take the exam at least one year before application and no later than the summer preceding their third undergraduate year. NOTE: the GRE code for the DPT program is 7637.

What constitutes a completed D.P.T. application?

A completed application includes responses to essays and all of the supporting documents (recommendations, GRE scores (if applicable), and transcripts). Arcadia University students applying for preferred admission must electronically submit their completed application by Priority deadline specified in PTCAS. Applications are NOT reviewed until ALL materials are received by Arcadia. The final decision will be made only after a full review of all application materials. Additionally, all successful applicants must display appropriate levels of professionalism and communication.

To meet the Preferred Admission requirements, all of the criteria in the Arcadia University Undergraduate Catalog (by appropriate year of entry) must be met at the time of the application deadline; however, not all of the prerequisite courses need to be completed to apply or to be accepted. If accepted any remaining prerequisite courses need to be completed with a “C” or better to start the Physical Therapy program.

Upon acceptance into the program under the Preferred Admission category, students will be required to pay a deposit in order to reserve a seat in the class. Any offer of scholarships or other assistance will be made known to the student along with the letter of acceptance to the DPT program.

Students whose credentials do not meet the requirements that assure them admission to the DPT program still may apply. They will be considered in relation to other qualified candidates in the general applicant pool. Please see the Admission Requirements page of the Arcadia entry level DPT graduate website.

To maintain the ongoing quality of the Physical Therapy program, the University reserves the right to limit the enrollment in all its offerings.

Requirements for Preferred Admission

Requirements for Students Who Enter Arcadia University as First-Year Students

These requirements apply to students who begin their undergraduate education at Arcadia University as first-year students.

1. Students are encouraged to complete all of the prerequisite coursework at Arcadia University. Prerequisite courses must be taken through the appropriate department; e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Computer Science & Mathematics.
   • Four courses in Biology:
     • BI 101 ,
     • BI 102 ,
     • BI 205 , 
     • BI 206  
   • Modern Chemical Concepts I & II with lab (CH 101  & 102  or 111  & 112 )    
   • Physics I and II with lab (PH 201  & 202  or 211  & 212 )
   • Two courses in Psychology or one course in Psychology and a second course in one of the following: Anthropology or Sociology
   • One course in Statistics
2. In consultation with the student’s undergraduate advisor, up to four (4) courses taken through another accredited institution may be counted as fulfillment of the required prerequisite courses. Courses must be directed towards science majors as appropriate.
3. A minimum 3.4 overall GPA is required, calculated on all courses taken at any college or university. The GPA requirements must be met by the specified deadline.
4. A minimum 3.4 GPA is required in all courses taken in prerequisite areas at Arcadia and elsewhere. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in the minimum prerequisite courses listed above. (A “C–” is unacceptable for prerequisite credit.) When calculating the prerequisite GPA, the University includes all courses in the various areas. The GPA requirements must be met by the specified deadline.
5. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional for admission to the DPT program. Students are strongly encouraged to take the exam at least one year prior to application and no later than the summer preceding their third undergraduate year. NOTE: the GRE code for the DPT program is 7637.
6. Students must have knowledge of the profession through documented work or volunteer experiences in at least one inpatient and one outpatient setting as defined by PTCAS. These observations must be completed before the Fall of the year of application to the program.
7. Students must provide a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of three (3) letters of recommendation, at least one from a currently practicing licensed physical therapist and one from a college professor can judge the applicant’s academic qualification and readiness for rigorous work at the graduate level.
8. Students must complete the last four semesters as full-time students at Arcadia University. This requirement may be waived for students who choose to study abroad during one of their last four semesters.
9. Students must earn a bachelor’s degree from Arcadia University.
10. Students desiring Preferred Admission must submit their completed applications electronically by the specified deadline during the academic year of graduation from Arcadia University.

The final acceptance decision will be made only after a full review of all application materials. Additionally, all successful applicants must display appropriate levels of professionalism and communication.

Essential Functions to Participate in the DPT Program

Essential functions are the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills necessary for a student to participate in the physical therapy program and become a physical therapist.

View Essential Functions criteria.