Combined Physical Therapy Programs

As the baby boomer generation ages, the field of physical therapy has been growing at a rapid pace. The best news for teens seeking to enter this important and rewarding profession is that it is expected to continue its growth well into the next decade. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 18% increase (much faster than average) in physical therapy jobs through 2029. Young people seeking to enter this field need to earn an undergraduate degree as well as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The traditional timeline to earn both degrees is a combined seven years. However, many of the 60 institutions on our list of Combined Physical Therapy Programs offer an accelerated option that allows students to complete all necessary educational work on 5.5-6 years. The following table reveals colleges offering BS/DPT programs as well as the undergraduate GPA needed to advance in the program, the length of the program, and whether the GRE or an interview are required. Click the links on each university name for more information about each program.

Table updated June 2022.

To view additional data columns, click the + icon to the left of the institution's name.

InstitutionSAT/ACT Score (Minimum)GPA to Advance (Minimum)LengthGRE Required?Interview Required?Notes
Alvernia Universityhttps://www.alvernia.edu/academics/graduate-programs/dpt-doctor-physical-therapy/dpt-admission-requirements11703.256YesConditional guaranteed admission
Andrews Universityhttps://www.andrews.edu/chhs/pt/pt/pre-pt-chhs/index.htmlOptional3.56YesYesEarly Assurance
Arcadia Universityhttps://www.arcadia.edu/academics/programs/pre-physical-therapyOptional3.46YesEarly Assurance
Bellarmine Universityhttps://www.bellarmine.edu/health-professions/graduate/doctor-of-physical-therapy/admissions/leap/1250/283.49 (Average)6 or 7YesEarly Assurance
Belmont Universityhttps://www.belmont.edu/pt/pre-pt.htmlOptional3.76YesEarly Assurance
Boston Universityhttp://www.bu.edu/sargent/academics/departments-programs/physical-therapy-athletic-training/bachelor-of-science-in-health-studies-doctor-of-physical-therapy-6-year-accelerated/Optional36
Bradley Universityhttps://www.bradley.edu/academic/departments/pths/major/health/assurance.dotOptional3.56 or 7Early Assurance
Carroll Universityhttps://www.carrollu.edu/admissions/freshmen/direct-admission/physical-therapyOptional36Direct Admit
Chatham Universityhttps://chatham.edu/academics/undergraduate/integrated-degree-programs/integrated-shs.html1270/263.62 (Average)7YesGuaranteed Admit & Preferred Admission
Clarke Universityhttps://www.clarke.edu/academics/doctor-of-physical-therapy/doctor-physical-therapy-program-early-assurance-33/Optional3.36YesEarly Assurance
D'Youville Collegehttp://www.dyc.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/health-professions/programs-and-degrees/physical-therapy-bs-dpt.aspxOptional6
Daemen Collegehttps://www.daemen.edu/academics/areas-study/physical-therapy/direct-entry-doctor-physical-therapy-dptOptional2.87Direct Admit
DeSales Universityhttps://www.desales.edu/academics/academic-programs/detail/health-science-physical-therapy1270/266Yes
Drexel Universityhttps://drexel.edu/cnhp/academics/undergraduate/BS-DPT-Physical-Therapy-Option/Optional3.336Yes
Duquesne Universityhttps://duq.edu/academics/schools/health-sciences/academic-programs/physical-therapy/admission-pathways/freshman-admission-criteria1170/2436
Elon Universityhttps://www.elon.edu/u/admissions/undergraduate/apply/accelerated-pathways-pa-dpt/Recommended3.36.5Yes
Emory & Henry Collegehttps://www.ehc.edu/academics/physical-therapy/admission-tuition-info/dpt-early-assurance-program/1150/253.5YesEarly Assurance
Gannon Universityhttps://gannon.edu/Academic-Offerings/Health-Professions-and-Sciences/Undergraduate/Physical-Therapy/Admission-Requirements/1090/213.46Guaranteed Admit
Hardin-Simmons Universityhttps://www.hsutx.edu/fasttrack/1030/203.25.5YesYes
Husson Universityhttps://www.husson.edu/college-of-health-and-pharmacy/school-of-physical-therapy/physical-therapy-and-exercise-scienceOptional3.26
Ithaca Collegehttps://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-health-sciences-and-human-performance/physical-therapy/six-year-clinical-doctorateOptional3.26
Lebannon Valley Collegehttps://www.lvc.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/physical-therapy/admission-first-year-students/1250/2636Guaranteed Admission
Marquette Universityhttps://www.marquette.edu/physical-therapy/admissions.phpOptional2.676Early Assurance
Marymount Universityhttp://catalogs.marymount.edu/2016-2017/undergraduate/physical-therapy.htm11103.5Guaranteed Admit
Maryville Universityhttps://www.maryville.edu/hp/physical-therapy-direct-entry/1180/243Early Assurance
Misericordia Universityhttps://www.misericordia.edu/physical-therapy/admissions-requirements11303.2Not Guaranteed Admission, Top 50 undergraduates in or out of program are accepted
Narareth College of Rochesterhttps://www2.naz.edu/academics/physical-therapy-degree-programOptional36Direct Acceptance
New York Institute of Technologyhttps://www.nyit.edu/departments/physical_therapy#1270/2836
Nova Southeastern Universityhttps://undergrad.nova.edu/academics/premier-programs/dual-admission/physical-therapy.html1220/253.37YesYesDual Admission
Quinnipiac Universityhttps://www.qu.edu/schools/health-sciences/programs/dual-degree/bs-in-health-science-studies-doctor-of-physical-therapy/Optional3.26 or 7Early Assurance
Saint Frances Universityhttps://www.francis.edu/physical-therapy#undergraduate%20pt%20admissions1210/253.26
Saint Louis Universityhttps://catalog.slu.edu/colleges-schools/health-sciences/physical-therapy-athletic-training/physical-therapy-program/1330/296Early Assurance
Samford Universityhttps://www.samford.edu/healthprofessions/fast-track-doctor-of-physical-therapy293.56Yes
Seton Hall Universityhttps://www.shu.edu/academics/bs-doctor-physical-therapy.cfmOptional3.26YesDual Degree
Shenandoah Universityhttps://www.su.edu/admissions/future-first-year/application-information/early-assurance-pathway-application-requirements/physical-therapy-early-assurance-pathway-ea-dpt/Optional3.46YesEarly Assurance
Simmons Universityhttps://www.simmons.edu/undergraduate/academics/majors-minors/exercise-science-physical-therapy-33Optional3.56Yes
Southwest Baptist Universityhttps://www.sbuniv.edu/academics/graduate/dpt/hsea.php243.2Early Acceptance, DPT Scholarship awarded
Springfield Collegehttps://springfield.edu/programs/physical-therapyOptional3.36Early Assurance
St Ambrose Universityhttps://www.sau.edu/doctor-of-physical-therapy/admission-and-applicationOptional3.35.5YesYesReserved spot
The Sage Collegeshttps://www.sage.edu/academics/schools/health-sciences/physical-therapy-programs/physical-therapy-accelerated-33-and-43/Optional3.256 or 7Guaranteed Admit
Trine Universityhttps://www.trine.edu/academics/majors-degrees/undergraduate/pre-physical-therapy-professional-track/direct-entry.aspx1210/253.56YesDirect Admit
University of Alabama at Birminghamhttps://www.uab.edu/shp/pt/dpt/dpteap1330/293.4YesYesEarly Acceptance
University of Central Arkansashttps://uca.edu/pt/phd-in-physical-therapy/bs-in-health-science-pt-emphasis/1320/303.7YesGuaranteed Admit
University of Cincinnatihttps://cahs.uc.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate-programs/health-sciences/pre-physical-therapy/early-assurance-pathways/heap.htmlpre-physical-therapy.html1280/273.5YesEarly Assurance
University of Evansvillehttps://www.evansville.edu/majors/physicaltherapy/pathway-direct-entry.cfm1240/263.356 or 7YesDirect Admit
University of Findlayhttps://www.findlay.edu/health-professions/physical-therapy/3-3-traditional-DPT1240/273.26YesEarly Assurance/Junior Admit
University of Hartfordhttps://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/enhp/academics/department-of-rehabilitation-sciences/bs-dpt-in-exercise-science-physical-therapy-program.aspxOptional3.26 or 7Direct Entry
University of Illinois Chicagohttps://admissions.uic.edu/program/pre-physical-therapyOptional26YesGuaranteed Admit
University of Indianapolishttps://www.uindy.edu/health-sciences/pt/pre-ptOptional3.0 (Minimum), 3.7 (Average)6 or 7Early Assurance/Accelerated Undergrad
University of Jamestownhttps://www.uj.edu/current-student/accepted-students/next-steps/special-programs/dpt-direct-entryOptional37YesDirect Entry
University of Pittsburghhttps://admissions.pitt.edu/guaranteed-admissions-programs/Optional3.5YesGuaranteed Admit
University of Scrantonhttps://www.scranton.edu/academics/pcps/physicaltherapy/programs/dpt/index.shtmlOptional3.2Guaranteed Admit
University of the Scienceshttps://www.usciences.edu/samson-college-of-health-sciences/physical-therapy/physical-therapy-dpt/application-process.html#directOptional36Direct Entry
Utica Collegehttps://www.utica.edu/academics/programs/physical-therapy-entry-levelOptional3.26Guaranteed Admit
Walsh Universityhttps://www.walsh.edu/pre-pt-early-assurance-criteria.html1300/283.56YesYesEarly Assurance
Widener Universityhttps://www.widener.edu/academics/graduate-studies/physical-therapy-dptOptional3.36 or 7Reserved Seat Admissions
Wingate Universityhttps://www.wingate.edu/academics/advantage-programsOptional3.56YesEarly Assurance
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