Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university completed prior to the starting date of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
Prerequisite Courses:
- Must complete all prerequisite courses prior to the summer term for which you are applying for; for example, if you are applying for the class that starts in May 2025, all of your prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of Spring 2025.
  - Science*:
    - Biology (& lab)- 8 credits
    - Chemistry (& lab)- 8 credits
    - Physics (& lab)- 8 credits
    - Human Anatomy**- 3 credits
    - Human Physiology**- 3 credits
    - Statistics- 3 credits
  - Behavioral/Social Science:
    - Psychology- 6 credits (preferably life developmental, life span or abnormal)
- *All science prerequisite courses must be for science majors (A science prerequisite course taken more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.). Courses with a grade of C- (C minus) or lower will not be accepted for prerequisites. Anatomy and physiology courses should preferably be completed with a grade of B or better. Note that students will be allowed to have one or two courses in progress at the time of interview (early January); however, outstanding course(s) must be completed with the appropriate minimal grade, prior to commencing the DPT program in May of the year for which students are applying.
- **Students must document 6 hours of anatomy and physiology regardless of how the courses are offered. Many universities offer a two semester integrated human anatomy and physiology course instead of three credits human anatomy and three credits human physiology. A qualified course shall cover all major human body systems. Functional anatomy with a main emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and Exercise physiology are not accepted.
Clinical Observation Hours: Complete at least 30 clinical observation hours, preferably from two different settings under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist by the time of application. Please follow the instructions listed on the PTCAS website to submit your hours for verification. PT observation hours need to be completed no later than April 30.
Grade Point Averages
- A minimum 3.0 for Overall Undergraduate GPA
- A minimum 3.0 for Prerequisites GPA
GPA calculation for repeated courses:
- If a student retakes the same science course at the same institution and earns a higher grade on the second attempt, we will use the higher grade to calculate GPAs.
- In other situation (i.e. taking the same science course more than two times at the same institution; retaking the same or equivalent course at a different institution), if a science course is repeated, we will use all grades earned for that course to calculate GPAs.
Starting the application cycle 2024-2025, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required for our DPT program admission.
Provide two references: one from a physical therapist and the other from either another physical therapist, or a faculty member or an employer. Please follow the instructions on the PTCAS website to complete the acquisition of references.
All applicants who are admitted into the DPT Program are expected to demonstrate the attributes and meet the expectations listed in the Technical Standards. These Technical Standards are required for admission and must be maintained throughout a student’s participation in the program. Click on Technical Standards for more information.
Provisional Admission: A student who possesses a baccalaureate degree from an accepted, regionally accredited college/university and has submitted all other application materials, but still has 1-2 prerequisite courses in progress at the time of interview (early January) may be provisionally admitted. However, outstanding course(s) must be completed with the appropriate minimal grade prior to commencing the DPT program in May of the year for which the student is applying.
Conditional Admission: A student who does not already possess a baccalaureate degree from an accepted, regionally accredited institute, and/or has 1-2 prerequisite courses in progress at the time of interview (early January), but has submitted all other require application materials, may be conditionally admitted. However, the bachelor’s degree must be earned, and outstanding course(s) must be completed with the appropriate minimal grade prior to commencing the DPT program in May of the year for which the student is applying.
International applicants will be required to submit an official TOEFL score report to PTCAS in addition to the other requirements described for consideration. TOEFL iBT score must be consistent with the standards established by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) as acceptable for physical therapists desiring to enter practice in the U.S. from a foreign country. The minimum scores to be considered for admission must be a Total Score of 89 with the minimum section requirement of “Speaking” of 26. TOEFL requirement is waived for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
International applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university outside of the United States will have to complete their credential evaluation [WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP)] from the World Education Services (WES) to prove that their education is equivalent to the US undergraduate education and have the report sent to PTCAS.
Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors. The primary factor in all admission decisions is prior academic achievement (overall, science, and/or prerequisite grade point average – GPA and GRE scores) and the potential for an applicant to be successful in a rigorous PT curriculum. An applicant’s volunteer experience, letters of recommendation, and interview performance are reviewed by members of the Admissions Committee. The Admission’s Committee will also consider additional factors in the final admissions review process (e.g., undergraduate attendance at Marshall University or West Virginia state residency, veteran of the US military, and certain economic, environmental, or geographic indicators contained in the PTCAS application). Decisions on readmission (i.e. applicants who attended Marshall University DPT program before) will be based on your Marshall University DPT academic standing along with academic work earned at any other institution(s), and the evaluation/recommendations from the Marshall University School of Physical Therapy Academic and Professional Standards Committee.
(Update: 4/3/2024 for 2024-2025 Application Cycle)

To be considered for admission to Marshall University’s Physical Therapy Program, you must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).
PTCAS will be open for application in mid-June 2024! (2024-2025 application cycle)
PTCAS Application Deadline: November 1, 2024 (Priority Admission Deadline: October 15, 2024)
The interview dates for Class of DPT 2028: during the first two weeks of November 2024 (TBD) and January 2025 (TBD) for the priority and general admissions.
DO NOT send your application documents (i.e. official transcripts, clinical observation verification hours forms and reference letters) to Marshall University School of Physical Therapy. All of the documents shall be directly sent to PTCAS.
Starting the application cycle 2024-2025, GRE is no longer required for our DPT program admission.
There is no supplemental application and fee required when you apply on PTCAS. When we offer you a seat (Mid-Jan – Mid-May), you will be asked to complete an online application to Marshall University Graduate Admission, pay the $40 supplemental application fee (for international applicants: $150; non-refundable) along with the $500 seat deposit (non-refundable).
Question? Contact us at physicaltherapy@marshall.edu.

The School of Physical Therapy at Marshall University participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS, beginning in July 2012. Applicants applying to our entry-level physical therapist education program is required to apply online using the PTCAS application. To learn more about the PTCAS application process for our DPT program, please visit PTCAS website.

As a member of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), the Marshall University School of Physical Therapy strives to conform to the Admissions Traffic Rules for Physical Therapist Education Programs. (ACAPT Admissions Traffic Rules- for Program) (ACAPT Admissions Traffic Rules-Program- for Applicants)

Program Goals

To graduate exceptional autonomous practitioners, who are leaders in the profession and community, and capable of treating diverse populations.
To support and empower our educators to exemplify excellence in clinical practice, advocacy, mentorship, leadership, and professionalism.
To engage all stakeholders to employ evidence-informed decision making by seeking to discover, synthesize, preserve, apply, and disseminate knowledge that reflects best practice.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates

Outcome #1: Will demonstrate entry-level competence necessary to practice physical therapy as an independent member of the healthcare team in diverse settings, per the following metrics:
- obtaining an average final mark at or above “entry-level” performance on the Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) for PT 793.
- accomplishing a first-time pass rate of 85% or greater on the National Physical Therapy Exam.
- achieving an average score of 3.5/5 on the 6-month Employer Survey.
Outcome #2: Will demonstrate commitment to the profession by participating in professional organizations, scholarship, education, and advocacy, per the following metrics:
- achieve an average score of 3.5/5 on the 6-month Employer Survey, items #3 and #19.
- 85% of the respondents on the One-Year Graduate Survey report taking at least one continuing education course.
- 85% of respondents on the Five-Year Graduate Survey report participation in professional advocacy activities.
Outcome #3: Become effective communicators and teachers of patients, families, peers, students and community, per the following metrics:
- achieve an average score of 3.5/5 or higher on the 6-month Employer Survey, items #1 and #5.
- achieve an average mark of “entry-level” performance on the PT 793 CPI, item #4 “Communication.”
Outcome #4: Will adhere to core values, legal and ethical standards, per the following metrics:
- achieve an average score of 3.5/5 or higher on the 6-month Employer Survey, items #2 and #3.
- achieve an average mark of “entry-level” performance on the PT 793 CPI, items #2 “Professional Practice- Professional Behavior” and #3 “Professional Practice – Accountability.”

Faculty

Outcome #1: Will demonstrate excellence in preparation and delivery of quality PT education per the following metrics:
- score a minimum 3.5/5 on average on instructor peer evaluations
- score a minimum of 3.5/5 on average on student evaluations of teaching
Outcome #2: Will demonstrate contemporary expertise in clinical practice as measured by:
- 30% of the faculty will be ABPTS Certified Clinical Specialists
- 50% of the core faculty will practice part-time clinically
- All core faculty will obtain 24 hours of continuing education credits every two years.
Outcome #3: Will encourage “best practice” through engagement in the preservation, discovery, synthesis, dissemination and/or application of knowledge to said practice by:
- All core faculty will generate 5 or more peer-reviewed scholarly products in a 10-year period.
Outcome #4: Will participate on at least two School, College, University or professional committees (e.g. community, state, or national level).

Program:

Outcome #1: Will graduate 85% of the students entering the program each year.
Outcome #2: Will report that 85% of graduates taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) pass on the first attempt.
Outcome #3: Will report that 95% of students are employed as a physical therapist 6 months after passing the NPTE licensure exam.
Outcome #4: Will report on the Clinical Education Annual Survey that 80% of clinical instructors (CIs) rate our students’ clinical performance at or above students from other PT programs.
Outcome #5: Will report an average score of 85% or higher on Item #1 of the graduate exit survey indicating that students feel prepared to start Physical Therapy Clinical Practice.
Outcome #6: Will report 75% or higher average score on Item #10 of the One-Year Graduate Survey indicating overall quality of the education provided by the Marshall School of Physical Therapy Program.

Two-Year Program Outcomes

About Huntington, West Virginia

Nestled along the banks of the Ohio River, Huntington boasts a welcoming community atmosphere and affordable living costs. As a student, you’ll find a supportive academic environment and job shadowing experiences, providing ample opportunities for educational and professional growth. Huntington’s central location within the Tri-State area offers easy access to major cities like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, making it an ideal hub for both study and exploration.

Equivalent Prerequisites in Selected Colleges/Universities

Frequently Asked Questions