Pre-Physical Therapy

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Eligibility

High School Students

Students applying directly from high school must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Transfer Students

Undergraduate students transferring from another college or university must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or higher and require at least 60 additional credits taken at St. Scholastica to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Admission Process

• Apply for admission to The College of St. Scholastica and declare your intent to pursue either Exercise Physiology (BS) or Pre-Physical Therapy
• Declare intent to pursue the Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program on the admission application
• Prepare an essay with a minimum of 500 words for the following prompt: Grounded in a values-based, inclusive and student-centered culture, we develop physical therapists who are prepared for meaningful work as clinicians, scholars and leaders. Please share with the committee your career goals after college graduation and how you believe a St. Scholastica education will impact your work and what outcomes you hope to accomplish through your professional work.
• Applications for the early assurance pathway will close on February 1. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions and eligible applicants will be offered a place in the early assurance pathway until the 20 slots are filled. Please submit your prepared statement to admissions@css.edu by the deadline.
• Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed if open slots are available
• Students who meet the criteria but apply after the 20 slots are full will be placed on a waitlist and can be entered into the pathway if one of the 20 students opts out or fails to meet the requirements noted below
• Students who are not admitted into this pathway remain eligible to apply to the St. Scholastica Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the standard application process

Students admitted into the DPT early assurance pathway must meet the following criteria to remain eligible for entry into the DPT graduate program:

• Maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA while a student at St. Scholastica and complete their undergraduate degree
• Complete all DPT program prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
• Meet St. Scholastica student behavior expectations as outlined in the Student Handbook, Code of Conduct and Policy Library

Prior to entry into the DPT program, students on this pathway must also:

• Participate in planned DPT program integration experiences
• Apply to the DPT program through the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS). Applications must be submitted by the posted due date.
• Pass a federal and state background check
• Submit a final academic transcript

Students on this pathway are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of 40 hours observing, volunteering or working in a physical therapy setting. Ideally, students should experience two unique physical therapy practice settings (inpatient, outpatient, etc.).