Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should I major in before applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
A. As long as you have attended an accredited college or university, you may choose from any major to prepare yourself for graduate work in physical therapy. Some majors may be designated as pre-physical therapy majors. A pre-physical therapy major will neither advantage nor disadvantage your application. You should choose your major based on your talents and interests. A diversity of majors enriches a physical therapy class since diverse therapists are needed to work with diverse patients.
Q. What prerequisite courses are required for the Physical Therapy program? Is there a minimum grade point average expected after completing the Physical Therapy prerequisites?
A. All prerequisite coursework must be taken for a grade. Pass/Fail coursework is not acceptable. The University of Puget Sound evaluator verifies equivalency for each prerequisite course. If you have completed or plan to complete any of the required prerequisite coursework at a school outside the State of Washington, you are required to attach a course description or course syllabus for each course. The supporting course information must indicate laboratory verification.
In general, prerequisite courses should be completed no more than 10 years before entry into the program. If a longer time has elapsed, the applicant should submit a letter explaining how the knowledge has been kept current.
You must earn a grade of at least 2.0 in each prerequisite course. The cumulative science GPA (physics, anatomy, and physiology) must be at least 3.0.
Puget Sound Course or Equivalent
Anatomy and Physiology; comparative or vertebrate acceptable, human preferred (Puget Sound EXSC 221/222) with labs.
Physics (Puget Sound PHYS 111/112).
Chemistry (Puget Sound CHEM 110/111).
Statistics (Puget Sound MATH 271).
One course in general psychology (Puget Sound PSYC 101), abnormal psychology (Puget Sound PSYC 295), or sociology (Puget Sound CSOC 206 or CSOC 370) emphasizing human behavior or disability issues.
Q. What happens if I am in the process of repeating a prerequisite course to raise my grade because it does not meet the minimum grade requirement, but the course is not completed by the January 5 deadline?
A. An official transcript verifying completion of a repeated course must be on file. If we do not have the grade verification for the repeated course at the time your application is considered, the previous grade will be considered.
Q. My grade point average does not meet minimum requirements, but I believe I have a special situation. Is there any way for me to be considered for admission?
A. Graduate level physical therapy coursework is rigorous, requires full-time study, and students are required to maintain a program grade point average of 3.0 or above in order to graduate. Thus, to be considered for admission, students generally must have achieved an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 or above.
Students who have not achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in their undergraduate degree work may petition to be considered for admission. A successful petition must include a brief personal statement that explains why the applicant believes he or she can achieve a 3.0 grade point average in rigorous graduate studies at this point. Within that statement, petitioning students must present evidence of academic capability. Evidence of academic capability will be either sustained (at least two consecutive semesters) full-time coursework at a grade point average of 3.25 or above (usually this should include significant work at the upper division level), or sustained employment or volunteer activity that requires work that is similar to academic coursework. Examples of the latter might include employment involving teaching, research, demanding presentations that require significant preparation and planning, a history of publication, or program development and implementation. Prospective students who are presenting only evidence of employment or volunteer activity similar to academic coursework should include a supporting letter from a colleague or supervisor who can attest to the rigor and quality of the work described in the statement. Physical therapy volunteer work is not similar to academic coursework, and will not ordinarily constitute evidence of academic ability. Your petition should be between 700 and 1000 words, double-spaced, with a font size no smaller than 10 point. Please title your statement “Petition for Special Academic Consideration.” A successful petition will result in consideration for admission only; program admission is not guaranteed.
Q. How many hours of experience and exposure in the field of physical therapy is necessary?
A. The Physical Therapy Admission Committee does not require an applicant to complete a set number of hours under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The committee does encourage an applicant to obtain exposure to a variety of types of physical therapy practice. We recommend a minimum of 100 contact hours. Most importantly, the applicant should be able to communicate an understanding of physical therapy to the admission committee through the physical therapy essay questions. (Note: Exposure to physical therapy practice must be supervised by a licensed physical therapist.)
Q. Is a personal interview required as part of the application process?
A. No, decisions for admission are made on the application materials submitted and an applicant's college credentials. We strongly encourage you to visit the program and meet the faculty, but information from this visit is not recorded for admission decision purposes.
Q. Which section of the GRE test do I take?
A. Take the general test. The GRE must be taken in time for the scores to be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service and received at Puget Sound no later than the January 15 application deadline date. The GRE must be taken not more than five years prior to planned enrollment in the physical therapy program.
Q. When I apply, my GRE scores will be 5 1/2 years old; are they acceptable?
A. No, the GRE must be taken within five years prior to enrollment in the program. You will need to retake the GRE.
Q. Can I have a health care professional other than a licensed physical therapist write my physical therapy recommendation?
A. No, the admission committee is looking for information specific to the physical therapy profession; therefore, a licensed physical therapist is the only acceptable professional for this reference.
Q. Can I submit more than three references with my application?
A. No, the application specifically requests one reference from each of the following: a licensed physical therapist, an educator and a paid employer (references must be submitted on the forms included in the application packet).
Q. I have room in my schedule. What other courses besides the prerequisites might be helpful in preparing me to be a physical therapist?
A. We highly recommend a course in exercise physiology if it is available. Courses which develop advanced ability in writing, oral communication, and cultural competency are also very valuable. (Other valuable courses may include human motor, cognitive, or biological development.)
Q. I’m responding to the essay, short-answer, and exposure questions. What are you looking for?
A. Your responses to our questions are reviewed for written communication skills; personal characteristics (i.e., independence in learning, curiosity, problem-solving, logical thinking, flexibility, and ability to follow directions); understanding of the physical therapy profession; motivation and potential contribution to the physical therapy profession; and quality and care in preparation of all application materials. (We will also consider the GRE essay score to judge elements of your writing ability.)
Q. Are there any specific requirements you are looking for in regard to the reference forms?
A. Distribute each of the reference forms to an employer for whom you worked at a paid job (not necessarily medically related, any type of job is fine), an educator at your college from whom you have taken a rigorous academic course, and a licensed physical therapist who has observed you in a physical therapy setting. The employer and licensed physical therapist references must each be completed by a different respondent. Students who have never held paid employment, who have been self-employed, or who have been employed only by relatives should contact the Director of Physical Therapy at pt@ups.edu to discuss alternative arrangements for the employer reference. Although we welcome reference letters as a supplement to the reference forms, letters cannot be submitted without the completed reference forms. References will be verified. Submit three and only three references on the forms provided. The reference forms are the only application materials that are accepted as faxed documents. Forms may be submitted by mail or by calling 253-879-3993. Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete.
Q. I’ve been denied to the program, do I have any recourse?
A. Students applying to the program after a previous denial must submit a Reapplication Statement. Please describe in detail the experiences that you believe strengthen this application including classes taken, skills developed through volunteer and paid employment; relevant experiences since your first application was submitted, and any other steps you may have taken to strengthen your application. Entitle this document Reapplication Statement and submit to the University of Puget Sound, Office of Admission.
Please Note
Enrolled students must be cleared through a background check by the Washington State Patrol for convictions of offenses against children and other vulnerable persons (RCW 43.43.830) prior to placement in both on campus and off-campus clinical experiences. This is not part of the admission process.
It has been requested by the State of Washington Professional Examining Committee that, for your information, the following statement be included in application materials. The questions and answers are for your information only.
The application for licensure as a physical therapist in the State of Washington may include the following or similar questions.
1. Have you ever been called before any state board for interrogation concerning any violation of the laws or rules pertaining to the profession for which you are applying or unethical conduct?
2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than traffic violations?
3. Have you ever been convicted of a violation of the Controlled Substance Act, or any narcotic law?
4. Have you ever had a license to practice revoked or suspended?
5. Have you ever been addicted to or treated for addiction to narcotic drugs?
6. Have you ever received psychiatric treatment for a mental illness?
7. Have you ever engaged in the excessive use of alcohol or received treatment for alcoholism?
8. Have you ever been denied the right to take an examination for licensing in any state?
If you answer YES to any of the above questions, you may be denied the right to take the examination for licensure. Please contact the Chairman, Examining Committee, Division of Professional Licensing, Olympia, WA 98504-8001 for clarification.
