The DPT admissions policy at Elon is designed to select outstanding students who have demonstrated both academic ability and talent in their field. Each application is considered in light of all completed academic work, test scores, evidence of leadership and motivation, work history and credentials, letters of recommendation and a required interview.
Admission Process
The Elon DPT program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). All applicants will appy online using the PTCAS application. To apply, visit ptcas.org.
Admission Requirements
- Each applicant must complete a bachelor’s degree in the United States from a regionally accredited college or university. International degrees that have been evaluated as United States equivalent will not fulfill this requirement. All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 for undergraduate work
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate studies completed or taken
- Minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 297 on the revised GRE on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) taken within the last five years. A minimum of 3.0 is required for the Analytical Writing Score.
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Minimum of six science courses selected from the following: biology, chemistry, human anatomy/physiology, exercise psychology, kinesiology, biomechanics, pathology and/or physics
- Minimum of one psychology course (3-credit hour course or higher)
- Grades of ‘‘C’’ or better are required in each prerequisite course. However, a minimum overall science GPA of 3.0 is required. No prerequisite course may be taken on a “pass/ no pass” or “credit/no credit” basis; all must be transferable to Elon University.
- Three letters of recommendation:
- One letter should be written by a practicing physical therapist
- One letter should be from a professor/instructor who has taught you at the undergraduate or graduate level and can speak to your academic abilities
- One other recommendation
- Personal statement
- Minimum of 100 hours volunteer or work experience in a general health care setting with at least 20 of these hours in a physical therapy acute inpatient care or hospital setting
- Must be able to meet the Essential Requirements of Physical Therapy Education at Elon University, which are detailed on our website.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required unless English is the student’s native language or the language of instruction. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet-based) is required. English translations of transcripts and explanations of grading systems are required.
Exceptions to the preceding requirements may be considered under special circumstances.
Testing for DPT students: GRE
Applicants to the DPT program are required to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). The GRE is a computer-based test and is available year-round at select test centers throughout the United States. Students must request the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send GRE scores directly to PTCAS. Elon’s PTCAS code is 7617. GRE registration bulletins may be obtained at gre.org or by calling 1-800-GRE-CALL.
International Students
Because several months may be required to receive and process forms from international applicants, applications and complete documentation should be submitted as early as possible. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required unless English is the student’s native language or the language of instruction. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet-based) is required for admission to any graduate program at Elon. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered under special circumstances.
Requirements for International Students on F-1 Visas
In addition to DPT Admissions Requirements, F-1 students' applications must include:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required unless English is the student’s native language or the language of instruction. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet-based) is required.
- English translations of transcripts and explanations of grading systems are required if the transcripts are from institution(s) outside the United States. Original bank statement or letter issued within the last six months.
- Medical insurance and immunization records. Elon requires students to maintain health insurance during the entire period of enrollment.
Prerequisite Courses
An application will be considered if the prospective student has no more than two courses — one science and one other prerequisite course — remaining to be completed during the summer or fall before enrollment. Applicants must complete all of the following courses prior to enrollment in the program. All science courses must include labs. Grades of “C” or better are required in each prerequisite course.
Science Courses (six courses)
The applicant must have six natural and/or life science courses selected from the following: biology, chemistry, human anatomy/physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, pathology and/or physics.
Psychology Course (one course)
It is preferred that this course is from the Psychology Department, but an upper-level course from another department may be acceptable.
Each science prerequisite course must have been successfully completed within 10 years prior to the registration date in January. If the 10-year limit has been exceeded, the prerequisite courses must be repeated and completed by the application deadline. However, as stated above, an applicant may have up to one science course and one other course to be taken at the time of application to the program.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate computer skills through college coursework and/or life experiences.
Transfer Credits
Students enrolled in the DPT are not permitted to transfer credits from another graduate program. Exceptions to this policy may be permitted in rare circumstances.
Continuation Standards
DPT students who fail to maintain a cumulative or modular grade point average of at least 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a second Unsatisfactory ("U") grade is subject to dismissal from the program. If a student is dismissed from the program, the student may appeal by employing the procedures for Student Appeals listed in the Elon Student Handbook. For consideration for re-admission into the program, the student must compete with the new applicants for the program.