Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT)

HOW TO APPLY

The program has a three-step application process.

PTCAS Application – Applicants must first apply using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) www.ptcas.org.

Verification of the PTCAS Application – PTCAS will then verify your application. This process can take up to six weeks. PTCAS must verify applications before being reviewed and scored for consideration in Ohio State’s DPT program.

Ohio State’s Supplemental Application – Once the application has been submitted and verified by PTCAS, applicants will receive an email from Ohio State with instructions on how to complete the Ohio State supplemental application and pay the supplemental application fee. Contact HRS.Admissions@osumc.edu with any questions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) from an accredited North American college or university or a comparable degree from a recognized foreign college or university must be earned before the start of the program.

Prerequisites

Completion of prerequisite courses or acceptable approved equivalents with a grade of C or higher by the program’s start. Prerequisite courses must be completed before admission to the program. Ohio State course numbers are shown below:

  • Human Anatomy: ANATOMY 2300 or 3300
  • Human Physiology: EEOB 2520 or PHYSIO 3200
  • Biology I and II: BIOLOGY 1113 and 1114
  • Chemistry I and II: CHEM 1210 and 1220
  • Physics I and II: PHYSICS 1200 and 1201
  • Introductory Psychology: PSYCH 1100
  • Human Growth and Development/Lifespan: HTHRHSC 3500, PSYCH 3340, or HDFS 2400
  • Physiology of Exercise: KNHES 3414 OR KNHES 5500
  • Elementary or General Statistics: STAT 1350.01, 1450.01, or higher

Lab sections of Anatomy, Biology I and II, Chemistry I and II, and Physics I and II are required. However, a lab is recommended but not required for Physiology. If Anatomy and Physiology courses are offered as a combined course, two courses of the combined anatomy-physiology content are required (ex: A&P I and A&P II). Course credit awarded through Advanced Placement (AP) exams is applied toward direct equivalent prerequisites.

GPA

Academic achievement is demonstrated by the cumulative grade-point average and the grades earned in the program prerequisites. The GPA will be computed using all grades earned from all institutions attended, and only applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application will be evaluated for possible admission.

Hours of Observation

At least forty hours of direct association with a licensed physical therapist in a physical therapy setting completed at the time of application.

Personal Statement

All applicants must submit a personal statement as part of the general application on PTCAS.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required from all applicants. Recommenders should be from a licensed PT, a faculty/professor, and a supervisor in a non-clinical setting.

Interview

An interview will be offered to qualifying applicants and are by invitation only.

TOEFL

International Students Only: A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test (or 79 on the internet version) will be required of applicants whose native language is not English. An alternative English proficiency test, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), will also be accepted with seven or higher scores.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

June 17, 2024: 2024-2025 PTCAS application opens
August 5, 2024: Deadline to submit PTCAS application for early action
September 2, 2024: Final deadline to submit the PTCAS application
May 27, 2025: Classes begin for the DPT Class of 2028

Year 1

Summer

ANATOMY 6000 Advanced Musculoskeletal Anatomy (5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6021 Introduction to Physical Therapy Profession (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6410 Principles and Procedures II (1 credit)

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 5510 Pharmacology (2 credits)

10 credits total

Autumn

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6250 Neural Basis of Movement (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6415 Acute Physical Therapy Practice I (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7012 Documentation & Reimbursement (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7220 Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management I (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7235 Biomechanics for Physical Therapy (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7420 Musculoskeletal Skills Lab I (3 credits)

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 7900 Evidence Based Practice I (1 credit)

14 credits total     

Spring

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6189 Integrated Clinical Experience (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6260 Pathology for Physical Therapy (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7245 Biomechanics for Physical Therapy II (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7250 Neurologic Basis of Rehabilitation (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7915 Research Applications (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8013 Contemporary Practice (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8210 Musculoskeletal Diagnosis/Management II (5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8410 Musculoskeletal Skill Lab II (3 credits)

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 7910 Evidence-Based Practice II (1 credit)

17 credits total     

Year 2

Summer

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6389 Pediatric Integrated Clinical Experience (0.5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7189 Intermediate Clinical Internship I (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8030 Topics in Pediatrics (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8230 Clinical Applications in Pediatrics (3 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8430 Pediatric Lab (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8630 Clinical Science in Pediatrics (2 credits)

11.5 credits total

Autumn

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6489 Adult Care Integrated Clinical Experience (0.5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8050 Topics in Rehabilitation & Long-Term Care (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8065 Service Learning in Physical Therapy (0.5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8250 Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation (5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8270 Geriatric Management (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8272 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8450 Adult Neurologic Laboratory (3 credits)

14 credits total     

Spring

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7289.01 Intermediate Internship II (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7645 Acute Physical Therapy Practice II (0.5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8065 Service Learning in Physical Therapy (0.5 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8274 Integumentary Systems & Rehabilitation (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8474 Integumentary Systems & Rehabilitation Lab (3 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8670 Imaging in Physical Therapy Practice (1 credit)

14 credits total

Year 3

Summer

PHYSICAL THERAPY 7289.02 Intermediate Internship II (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8189 Terminal Clinical Internship I (8 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8999 Thesis (1 credit)

13 credits total

Autumn

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8060 Healthcare in America I (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8061 Leadership and Career Planning in Physical Therapy (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8070 Management I: Administrative Strategies (2 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8676 Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapy I (4 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8789 Practicum Development (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8915 DPT Case Study Analysis (2 credits)

Select Two Electives OR Speak with your advisor about specialization course electives in Research, Pediatrics, or Global Health:

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8610 Advanced Orthopedics (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8612 Advanced Sports (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8635 Advanced Pediatrics (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8640 Complex Scenarios (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8645 Advanced Acute Care (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8650 Advanced Neurologic Rehabilitation (1 credit)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 6589 Service-Based Clinical (0.5-2 credits)

Note: Credits will vary based on elective selection

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 5500 Underserved Populations (2 credits)

14 credits total

Spring

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8289 Terminal Clinical II (8 credits)

PHYSICAL THERAPY 8989 Capstone Practicum Internship (4 credits)

12 credits total     

To be eligible for graduation, a DPT student must meet a minimum of 116 credit hours.

Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information for online programs and Professional Licensure & Certification Disclosures for On-campus Programs.

Questions?

Contact the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at 614-292-1706 or HRSGraduateStudentServices@osumc.edu
Degree requirements and course offerings are subject to changes. 
Last updated on: July 1, 2024