Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Baylor Doctor of Physical Therapy Program must meet the admission requirements and prerequisites outlined below. All courses within the professional didactic and clinical curriculum are required for completion of the DPT degree program. Baylor does not grant advanced placement credit for experiential learning, or transfer credits from other programs or institutions.

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Program Admission Requirements

1. Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the program start date. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
2. Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and prerequisite course GPA of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
   • ALL prerequisite coursework must be completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. For a list of regional accrediting organizations and accredited institutions, please visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website here.
   • Grades Below "C-" in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.
   • If a prerequisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The prerequisite GPA will be determined using the highest course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
   • If cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hour credits of coursework. 
   • Baylor DPT will accept passing (P) coursework for the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters in instances where Pass/Fail grades were given due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
   • NOTE: Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the Baylor DPT program, but may still be in progress when the application to the program is submitted.
3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. While the DPT program does not require a minimum GRE score, we encourage you to submit your best scores as the GRE is factored into applicant ranking.
   • The GRE must be completed within five years of the anticipated program start date. The oldest GRE test date considered for this admissions cycle is January 1, 2020. Applicants with a documented graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution may report earlier GRE scores. Transcripts of graduate education must be provided.
   • ETS offers free preparation materials, webinars, and testing day advice for the GRE. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of these resources here.
4. Submission of two references. Applicants must arrange for references to submit letters of recommendation electronically through the PTCAS system. One reference must be a licensed physical therapist.

5. Observation hours are strongly recommended, but not required. Observation hours help applicants make an educated decision about pursuing a career in physical therapy.

   The Baylor DPT Admissions Committee recommends the completion of 100 observation hours, volunteer hours, or work hours with a licensed physical therapist in at least two different practice settings. Examples of practice settings include: outpatient clinics; acute care hospitals; inpatient rehabilitation facilities; skilled nursing facilities; home health care; and hospice care.

6. The Baylor DPT program accepts applications from U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, international students with many types of visas including H, L, and R, as well as DACA recipients and undocumented residents.  Non-U.S. applicants should consider the following:
   • An applicant must have a US Social Security number or a non-US National ID to complete the background check prior to matriculation.  
   • An applicant must complete a medical examination and have health insurance prior to matriculation.  
   • Non-US applicants will have limited access to federal financial aid. More information can be found here.  
   • Non-US applicants are encouraged to confirm their eligibility to sit for the licensure exam in the state in which they reside prior to matriculation. More information on state licensure can be found here.  
   • Non-US applicants who plan to practice physical therapy in the US after graduation, should consider that a work visa may be required. Baylor DPT cannot assist students in gaining employment authorization within the US.  
   • International students will be required to submit a World Education Services report along with international transcripts to PTCAS for all coursework completed outside the U.S.
   • Applicants whose native language is not English or who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses outside the U.S. must demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. A minimum score of 80 must be achieved on the internet-based test. Test scores should be sent to the Baylor Graduate School using the Institution Code 6032. Exemptions to this requirement will be given if the applicant meets one of the following criteria:
     • The applicant has conferred bachelor's (or higher) degree from an accredited institution in the United States.
     • The applicant has conferred bachelor's (or higher) degree from an institution where English is the only language of instruction.
     • The applicant is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (this includes Puerto Rico).
7. Successful completion of an admission interview. Interviews are offered based on an assessment of each applicant's academic success. Final admissions decisions are the result of a holistic evaluation of applicants following the completion of their interview.
8. Ability to fulfill the technical standards for admission.
9. Complete an approved background check prior to matriculation.

Application Cycle

The Baylor DPT program has two application windows each year leading to the January program start date. Please visit the Application Procedures webpage for additional details on application deadlines and processes.

If you have any questions about the Baylor DPT program or admissions requirements, please contact us today at Robbins_Grad@baylor.edu or 254-710-4400.