Physical Therapy (DPT) Program Admissions

Admission is selective and enrollment in the DPT program is about 50 students. To be eligible for admission, students must have earned a bachelor's degree by the start of the program.

The Admissions Committee considers the following factors in the selection process for the Fall 2025 entry term:

Strength and Breadth of Academic Record

In order to be considered for admission, your overall cumulative GPA, and prerequisite GPA must each be a 3.0 or higher at the time of application.

Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.7 and 3.0 may still be considered for admission only when there is evidence of a significant positive trend in grades over time (evidenced by a last 45-credit GPA greater than or equal to 3.5), and meets other minimum admissions criteria.

All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the start of the program with a grade of "C" or higher and taken on a graded basis unless the course was switched to pass-fail grading by an institution during the spring 2020 or summer 2020 semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If given an option applicants should take prerequisite courses for a letter grade.

To ensure academic coursework will fulfill our requirements, complete an optional Unofficial Prerequisite Worksheet and submit it to the Admissions Counselor for review.

Observation Experience

Applicants must have 50 verified observation hours for their application to be complete and assigned for review. We encourage applicants to obtain at least 100 hours of paid or volunteer observation hours with a practicing, licensed physical therapist in various settings. Applicants can strengthen their application for our program by completing observation hours in two or more settings.

Examples of Physical Therapy settings may include but are not limited to hospitals, clinics (sports medicine, pediatrics, hand therapy), private offices, home health, skilled nursing/extended care facilities, and schools. These experiences will be documented in the PTCAS application and must be verified by a PT.

Strength of Professional Recommendations

Two letters of recommendation must be uploaded to your PTCAS application, at least one of which must be from a licensed PT. It is recommended that the second letter of recommendation is from a licensed PT, a college faculty member, a supervisor, or an employer.

Strength of Personal Interview

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview.

Additional Criteria Considered

  • Understanding of the physical therapy profession
  • The quantity and quality of extracurricular and community activities
  • Demonstration of cultural awareness and diversity
  • Demonstration of leadership abilities
  • Quality of writing ability as demonstrated in the application essay responses
  • Professionalism and communication demonstrated throughout the admissions process and interview

    The GRE is not required or evaluated

Class of 2026 Profile
Cumulative GPA 3.70
Prerequisite GPA 3.66
Observation Hour Avg.  804
Average Age 23
Oregon Residents 36%
States and Provinces Represented 13
Applications Received 430
Applicants Interviewed 240
Incoming Class Size 53

More Information

The Physical Therapy Program does not grant advanced standing nor accept transfer students from other physical therapy programs.

Guaranteed Grad School Admission

Guaranteed Grad School Admission

Pacific University undergraduate students can save a seat in the physical therapy program through the Pacific Priority guaranteed grad school admission program. Apply as soon as you deposit to become a Pacific undergraduate student or during your undergraduate years. Learn how.

 

Contact Us

Andrea Lybarger | Senior Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions
503-352-7217 | PT.AT@pacificu.edu