The Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy program admits, educates and graduates accomplished individuals who are intellectually curious and culturally diverse. Ideal applicants are driven to be passionate physical therapists who exemplify Baylor University’s mission of leadership and service.

Applicants 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.

In addition to the program admission requirements and prerequisite courses, applicants must meet technical standards, pass background checks and drug testing, and provide health information. More information can be provided once you enter the admissions process.

Application Deadlines

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.
   • 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.
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.
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. We accept U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents and international students with many types of visas including H, L, R, F, J (but not B).
   • International students will be required to submit a World Evaluation Services report along with international transcripts to PTCAS for all coursework completed outside the US.
   • Applicants whose native language is not English or who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses outside of the United States must demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.
7. Successful completion of an admission interview. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
8. Ability to fulfill the technical standards for admission.
9. Complete an approved background check prior to matriculation.

Prerequisite Courses

• Biology (6 semester hours/8 quarter hours) laboratories are recommended, but not required
• Chemistry with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• General Physics with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
• Statistics (3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours)
• Any Psychology (3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours)
• Abnormal or Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
• English Composition or Writing (3 semester hours/ 4 quarter hours)

All letter-graded prerequisite coursework is acceptable, no matter when the coursework was completed. However, we strongly recommend that applicants take refresher courses as needed (especially for Anatomy and Physiology) to fully prepare themselves for Baylor’s accelerated DPT program.

To download a complete list of accepted courses for program prerequisites, click here.

Baylor DPT tracks information related to admissions cycle statistics, academic profiles and demographics of our incoming cohorts, and program outcome data related to graduation rates, NPTE pass rates, and employment rates of our students. This information is available here.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program, at Baylor University, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please contact Dr. Brian Young by email at brian_a_young@baylor.edu.