Doctor of Physical Therapy

For more information: (626) 815-5020

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a 3-year (including summers), entry-level professional program emphasizing the scientific basis of human structure and human movement, the spiritual basis of human worth, and the integration of these foundational elements into a comprehensive, problem-solving, evidence- and consensus-based approach to artful evaluation and skillful treatment. 

Mission Statement

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares graduates to practice as competent generalist physical therapists who have a solid foundation for postprofessional specialization. These graduates are guided by Christian principles and ethical values. They are critical thinkers and lifelong learners, supporting the global community and the physical therapy profession by functioning as service-oriented practitioners. They promote excellence in patient care, are guided by a belief in human worth and dignity, and are dedicated to the optimization of human health and function.

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.

Admission Requirements

University graduate and program admission requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Graduate Admissions):

1. The applicant must have an officially posted bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the time he or she matriculates to APU.
2. Prerequisite courses must be similar in value to courses offered by an accredited four-year college or university. Grades of C or better are required. Science courses must have laboratories. No prerequisite work may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. Hybrid online science courses that combine online lectures and in-person labs may be acceptable. Courses can be taken at any regionally accredited college or university. All science prerequisite coursework more than seven years old is not accepted.
3. A cumulative baccalaureate or master’s degree GPA of at least 3.0.
4. A cumulative science GPA of at least 3.0 (a science GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for admission).

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall term before entry:

Course List

Code	Title	Units
BIOLOGY: Four courses
Human Anatomy with lab (required)
Human Physiology with lab (required)
Cell Biology or General Biology with lab (required)
Biology—any additional course (lab not required)
CHEMISTRY: One year with lab
General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry
PHYSICS: One year with lab (must include electro, hydro, and magnetic physics)
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY: One course
STATISTICS: One course
PSYCHOLOGY: Two courses
General Psychology (required)
Any other Psychology course
HUMANITIES AND ARTS: Three courses
English Composition (required)
English Literature
History/Political Science/Sociology
Music/Art Appreciation
Philosophy/Ethics
Speech/Communication
ADDITIONAL COURSES
(recommended but not required):
Athletic Training
Exercise Science
Kinesiology/Biomechanics
Nutrition
Writing Course

Other Admission Criteria

• The Department of Physical Therapy participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). To apply to the APU DPT program, visit the PTCAS website and follow all instructions. Early applications are encouraged. Final deadline is October 1.
• The DPT program reviews applications on a rolling basis, and acceptances are processed year-round. To ensure consideration for the January start date, completed applications should be submitted early in the admissions cycle. 
• International students have a different application procedure; to learn more, visit the International Admissions site.
• Submit to PTCAS all supporting documents, including:
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s baccalaureate degree and all postbaccalaureate study. Mail transcripts to APU’s Graduate and Professional Center only if admitted into the program. (To be considered official, a transcript must be sent directly from the Office of the Registrar of the school attended to the Graduate and Professional Center: Admissions at Azusa Pacific University. Students’ sealed copies will not be considered official.)
  • Three recommendation forms from persons well-suited to evaluate qualifications for graduate study and/or physical therapy: one must be from a registered/licensed physical therapist, and two from faculty members familiar with academic work in areas closely related to the proposed field of study or responsible persons well-informed about relevant work completed by the student.
  • 100 hours of clinical experience in a physical therapy setting.
  • Essay

Students admitted into the DPT program will be required to provide a $1,200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit to reserve a seat. Deposit is due within 10 days of receipt of the acceptance letter. This will be applied to the first term’s tuition fee.

If applicable, any additional materials should be submitted to:

Student Services Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Located at:
Azusa Pacific University
568 E. Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 815-4570
Fax: (626) 815-4571
gpadmissions@apu.edu
apu.edu/gpc/admissions

In addition to meeting the admission requirements, those students whose first language is not English must meet the required English proficiency standard as demonstrated by passing the following minimum international iBT (internet-based TOEFL) scores:

UG TOEFL Scores

Reading: 25	Speaking: 25
Writing: 25	Listening: 25

Course Requirements

Graduation requirements include maintaining a minimum 3.0 program and cumulative grade-point average (GPA). The calculation is based upon courses taken in fall, spring, and summer semesters. See Grading and Academic Probation and Dismissal in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Year 1
Spring
PT 701	Human Anatomy	8
PT 702	Clinical Skills I	6
PT 706	Seminar I	2
PT 707	Professional Relationships	2
Summer
PT 724	PT Clinical Skills II	3
PT 754	General Medicine	3
PT 726	PT Clinical Skills III	1
PT 755	Research Methods in Physical Therapy	3
Fall
PT 703	Clinical Neuroscience	6
PT 705	Orthopedics I	6
PT 752	Cardiopulmonary Patient Management	3
Year 2
Spring
PT 704	Neurorehabilitation	8
PT 742	Prosthetics and Orthotics	2
PT 748	Orthopedics II	6
PT 760	Pediatrics	4
Summer
PT 762	Seminar II	2
PT 781	Integrated Clinical Decision-Making	2
PT 750	Comprehensive Exams	1
PT 769	Pharmacology	3
PT 771	Clinical Experience I	8
Fall
PT 764	Current Concepts in Chronic Pain	2
PT 774	Capstone I	3
PT 776	Capstone II	3
PT 798	Special Topics I	2
PT 744	Professional Ethics	2
PT 790	Physical Diagnosis Screening	4
Year 3
Spring
PT 773	Clinical Experience II	8
PT 778	Diagnostic Imaging	3
Summer
PT 711	Wellness	3
PT 779	Special Topics II	2
PT 768	Administration	3
PT 785	Advanced Patient Management	2
PT 783	Integrated Community Service	0
Fall
PT 775	Clinical Experience III	8
Total Units		124

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Deliver physical therapy as competent generalists in a variety of community settings to patients of diverse age, gender and cultural backgrounds.
2. Pursue lifelong learning through professional growth and specialization.
3. Incorporate knowledge of the Christian worldview into their understanding of current ethical, legal, and social issues in professional physical therapy practice.
4. Analyze research to solve clinical questions, encourage critical thinking, and promote evidence-based practice.
5. Provide for the medical and spiritual needs of the community as service-oriented practitioners who value human worth and seek to advance total patient care and the optimization of health and function.