DPT Admissions
Application to the DPT program is conducted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) and is now open for the 2025-2026 application cycle. The program utilizes a rolling admissions process, where applications are reviewed in the order received. The first DPT student cohort is expected to begin in Fall 2026.
Minimum Requirements
- U.S. bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) awarded or expected within one term of enrollment.
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.
- Two letters of recommendation: one academic source and one from a supervisor/source who has observed your professional behavior.
- Responses to application essay questions.
- Competitive GRE score on verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections.
- Clinical Observation: Minimum of 40 hours in a PT practice setting; a variety of settings (hospital, outpatient, pediatrics, etc.) is highly recommended.
Transfer Credit Statement: The DPT program does not accept transfer credit from any other DPT program at this time.
Academic Prerequisites
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite coursework is required. All courses must be "C" or better prior to enrollment.
- Biological Sciences (8 hrs): Cell structure, function, heredity, development, evolution, and ecology.
- Anatomy & Physiology (8 hrs): Human, mammalian, or vertebrate with lab.
- Chemistry (8 hrs): Atomic theory, bonding, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.
- Physics (8 hrs): Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, light, and modern physics.
- Behavioral Sciences (6 hrs): Includes General Psych plus one additional human behavior course (Sociology, Anthropology, etc.).
- Statistics (3 hrs): Frequency distributions, linear regression, and hypothesis testing.
- Math (3 hrs): Pre-calculus or higher.
*Note: There is no credit hour limit on grade forgiveness for repeated prerequisite courses.
Technology Specs (Laptops Required)
- Windows: Windows 11, Intel i5+, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage.
- Mac: macOS 10.14+, M1 or i5+, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage.
- Hardware: Webcam required; tablets/Chromebooks are not substitutes for onsite exams.
Out-of-state Scholarships
Qualifying students (3.5+ cumulative GPA) are eligible for a tuition difference scholarship reducing fees to the in-state rate. Not available internationally.
Articulation Agreements
Formal agreements for enhanced interview consideration exist with:
- University of Memphis
- Union University
- Lane College
- LeMoyne-Owen College
International Students
Must have transcripts evaluated by WES. English Proficiency required: TOEFL (80 online/550 in-person), IELTS (6.5), PTE (59), or DET (110).
What to expect
Graduate School OverviewChoosing a graduate program—especially one as intensive as ours—is a significant decision. We are committed to transparency throughout the end-to-end application process. While timelines may vary by applicant, you can find personalized updates and detailed information within your application portal and through official university communications.
Apply
Gather all you materials and apply to the program (GRE code 1662) through your PTCAS portal. All information is then communicated to the UofM DPT admissions team and you can expect a post-submission email confirming your application.
PTCASInterview
Articulation AgreementsIf you are qualified and selected to move forward, the next step is an interview with our admissions team. A member of our staff will contact you via email to announce your selection and begin the scheduling process.
offer of admission
Students who are selected to move on from the interview round will receive an offer of admission in the form of a letter and an email.
Next StepsCelebrate
All admitted domestic students will receive a welcome package filled with exclusive university gear and helpful resources. We encourage you to share your achievement on social media—don’t forget to tag us so we can celebrate your hard work with you!
Complete Next steps
We can't wait to welcome you to our Lambuth campus, located in the cozy city of Jackson, Tenn! Complete your final steps to save your seat and get ready for the next three years of mentorship, growth and fun!
Get in touch
We're here for all your questions.
Jacque Bradford
Program Director
jacque.bradford@memphis.edu731.425.7310
Accreditation
Effective April 28, 2026, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Memphis has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org
If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 731-425-7310 or emailDPT@memphis.edu.Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professionalcourses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT;www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.