Physical Therapy, DPT
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Physical Therapy, DPT
Earn your DPT at Azusa Pacific University
You’ll elevate your career as you master the scientific foundation of human structure and movement. We’ll guide you through a comprehensive, problem-solving approach for patient care, blending evidence and consensus. Graduate as a confident generalist physical therapist, ready for different professional settings. Christian-guided principles fuel your journey, shaping you into a critical thinker, lifelong learner, and service-oriented practitioner. You’ll join a global community of PT professionals, promoting patient care excellence, and care for the whole person.
Program at a Glance
The School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences equips students for compassionate leadership in fields like physical therapy, social work, and psychology, guided by experienced faculty and hands-on learning.
Application Deadline
The Department of Physical Therapy works on a rolling admissions basis. Applications are accepted year-round, but to ensure consideration for the January start date, completed PTCAS applications must be received by October 1.
Program Units
124
Cost per Unit
$948
Base Cost
$117,552*
Location
- Azusa (Main Campus)
Gain Hands-on Experience
- Learn to apply evidence-based approaches in real-world scenarios.
- Gain hands-on skills for artful patient assessment.
- Develop practical techniques for effective patient care.
- Learn how to drive excellence in patient care while promoting human dignity.
By the Numbers
Get Started
Azusa Pacific University alumnus Matt Klingler, DPT ’16, is applying his expertise as a movement science specialist to help people prevent injury and improve their fitness and function, thanks to the lessons he learned during his time in APU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Matt established Village Fitness in Glendora out of a desire to help people recognize the importance of investing in your health. Using his knowledge and gifts, he created a space where people can gather in community and motivate one another toward improved fitness and healthy living.
Program Details
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares graduates to practice as competent
generalist physical therapists who have a solid foundation for postprofessional specialization.
These graduates are guided by Christian principles and ethical values. They are critical
thinkers and lifelong learners, supporting the global community and the physical therapy
profession by functioning as service-oriented practitioners. They promote excellence
in patient care, are guided by a belief in human worth and dignity, and are dedicated
to the optimization of human health and function.
Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the Student Services Center page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.
Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants
The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.
DPT applicants must possess:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Prerequisite courses fulfilled prior to entry into the program. Prerequisite courses must be similar in value to courses offered by an accredited four-year college or university. Grades of C or better are required. Science courses must have laboratories. No prerequisite work may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. AP credit/CLEP cannot be used for prerequisite requirements. Online nonscience courses are acceptable. Online science courses that are hybrid courses with online lectures and in-person labs may be acceptable. Courses can be taken at any regionally accredited college or university. Science prerequisite coursework more than 7 years old will not be accepted.
- A minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- A cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants with a science GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for admission.
- 100 hours of clinical experience in a physical therapy setting.
- Computer literacy.
Applicants must submit:
- Graduate application for admission (Apply online through PTCAS)
- Official transcripts submitted directly to PTCAS. Mail transcripts for all degrees to APU’s Student Services Center (SSC) only if admitted into the program. Learn more about APU’s domestic applicant transcript policy.
- Three letters of recommendation for graduate studies and/or physical therapy submitted directly to PTCAS. One letter must be from a registered/licensed physical therapist and two must be from faculty members familiar with academic work in areas closely related to the proposed field of study or responsible persons well-informed about relevant work completed by the student.
Send official transcripts to:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]
Applicants must also:
- Meet the Minimum Technical Standard for Admission and Matriculation (PDF) in order to perform common clinical functions. Technological compensation can be made in some areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
Students admitted into the DPT program are required to provide a $1,200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit to reserve a seat. The deposit is due within 10 days of receipt of the acceptance letter. This will be applied to the first term’s tuition fee.
Admission Requirements—International Applicants
Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).
To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.
International applicants must also:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
- Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
- Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
- Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.
Send official transcripts to:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]
What to Expect
After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.
Delivering high quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.
Department of Physical Therapy
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) (per unit) | $948 |
| Physical Therapy Lab Fee (per lab course) | $100 |
View a complete list of university fees.
All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.
Financial Aid
Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.
Financial Fact Sheet
2022-2023 DPT Student Financial Fact Sheet (PDF)
Military Benefits
Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.
To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic
catalog:
When is the application deadline?
The Department of Physical Therapy offers rolling admissions and takes applications year-round that are reviewed and acted upon in the order in which they are received. In order to assure your place for the January start date, completed PTCAS applications must be received by October 1.
All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall term before the program starts. For more information, contact admissions coordinator Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014 or [email protected].
Can December graduates be admitted for the spring program?
Yes, they may be admitted with a status of incomplete until their posted degree is attained.
What is the minimum GPA requirement for admission to the program?
A cumulative GPA of 3.0. (Candidates with a science GPA below 3.0 will not be considered for admission.)
Is it difficult to be admitted to the program?
It is not easy to get into any professional program, but we consider the total applicant. The program looks for applicants who will be lifelong learners, compassionate individuals, and successful in learning a large amount of information in a short period of time.
How many students do you admit to the DPT program each year?
The program is set up to admit a maximum of 74 students.
Do you hold information sessions?
Yes. Preview days for the DPT program are held three times a year. These sessions are held by a department faculty member and are highly recommended. For more information or to register, contact Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program invites all interested to an information session held three times a year in the Department of Physical Therapy, which is in the Duke Academic Complex on West Campus. This is a great opportunity to meet with faculty and current students and learn more about the DPT program. RSVP and select the date you would like to attend.
If you are unable to attend one of these sessions and would like to meet with our admissions coordinator, contact Anel Herrera at (626) 815-5014 or [email protected].
If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.
Contact Your Admissions Representative
Additional Program Contact
Anel Herrera, admissions coordinator, [email protected], (626) 815-5014
Department of Physical Therapy
Phone
(626) 815-5020
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Student Services Center
Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.
International Services
International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.
The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of six regional organizations in the U.S., accredits Azusa Pacific University. In addition, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: [email protected]; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
If you need to contact the program/institution directly, call (626) 815-5020 or email [email protected].
Featured Faculty
Melissa Cole
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Christopher Patterson
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Kathleen Tallman
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Career Outlook and Outcomes
Student Outcomes
This information is provided in compliance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Student Outcomes regulation.
| Graduation Year | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 99.0% |
| 2021 | 93.8% |
| 2021/2022 Combined Average | 96.4% |
| Graduation Year | Percent Employed Within 6 Months of Passing NPTE |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2021/2022 Combined Average | 100% |
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate for Graduation Year | Ultimate Pass Rate for Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 81.2% | 92.8% |
| 2021 | 88.7% | 100% |
| 2021/2022 Combined Average | 85.0% | 96.4% |
Faculty Friday: Mike Wong: Transforming Students into Great PT Clinicians
After 23 years of teaching at APU, Michael Wong has poured into the lives of countless students, training them as great physical therapy clinicians. Wong recently received the James A. Gould Excellence in Teaching Award as one of the top PT professors in the U.S.