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 Admission to the University):
- 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.
- 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.
- A cumulative baccalaureate or master’s degree GPA of at least 3.0.
- 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:
| 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.
- GRE taken within the last five years; submit self-reported GRE scores with PTCAS application and follow up with official scores. Use APU Institution Code 4596 and Department Code 0619.
- 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:
| 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.
| 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:- Deliver physical therapy as competent generalists in a variety of community settings to patients of diverse age, gender and cultural backgrounds.
- Pursue lifelong learning through professional growth and specialization.
- Incorporate knowledge of the Christian worldview into their understanding of current ethical, legal, and social issues in professional physical therapy practice.
- Analyze research to solve clinical questions, encourage critical thinking, and promote evidence-based practice.
- 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.