Doctor of Physical Therapy
Format: In person on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Credit Hours: 134
Entry Terms: Summer
The Physical Therapy program at Georgia Southern University is a full-time doctoral program offered on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia. There are 36 students admitted to each class. The program consists of nine semesters of academic coursework, including three full-time clinical affiliations (with a minimum of 32 weeks of full-time clinical practice) and several additional clinical experiences.
Upon completion of the program, all students are awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All program graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for state licensure in all jurisdictions.
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The professional curriculum consists of two phases: “systems” and “life span”. Courses introduced during the first year use a systems approach with cases in musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular and integumentary physical therapy. As closely as possible, courses are coordinated so that students are instructed in the anatomy, pathology and diagnosis related to specific joints or systems of the body at the same time.
During the third semester, students are given the opportunity to practice and integrate their professional skills in a simulated clinic course, case management. (Use of this experiential learning technique has been presented at international meetings.) Following the completion of the first year, students have an 8-week full-time clinical experience, allowing them to further solidify and integrate the classroom material in a clinical setting.
During the second year and early third year of study, students explore practice topics in greater depth within the context of a life span approach, covering content from diseases of children to impairments associated with aging. These advanced courses are followed by two final full-time 11-week clinical experiences, with a return to campus for final coursework at the end of the program.
The curriculum is further integrated by team teaching, a feature of several of the courses. Besides providing linkages between courses, this enables the faculty to serve as role models for the advantages associated with working together as a team.
Program of Study
All potential and enrolled students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must meet intellectual, physical, and social competencies in order to provide safe patient care and successfully complete the program.
| SKILL | STANDARD | EXAMPLE OF ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. | Transfer knowledge from one situation to another. Process information, evaluate outcomes, problem-solve, and prioritize. Use long and short-term memory, identify cause-effect relationships. Plan activities for others. Synthesize knowledge and skills. Sequence information. |
| Analytical Thinking | Ability to process information, evaluate outcomes, and problem solve. | Transfer knowledge from one situation to another. Prioritize tasks. Use long and short-term memory |
| Reading | Ability to read and understand written documents. | Reading policies and protocols. |
| Arithmetic Competence | Measuring, counting, computing. | Reading and understanding charts, digital displays, graphs. Measure time, count rates, use measuring tools. |
| Interpersonal | Interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | Negotiate interpersonal conflict. Respect cultural diversity in patients. Establish rapport with patients and co-workers. |
| Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form as measured by the Doctor of Physical Therapy program professional behavior evaluation, CPI, and course instructors. | Explain health conditions, diagnostic and treatment procedures and initiate health teaching. Interpret and document patient responses to health status. Convey information through written and oral reports. Interact with others (patients, family members, health care workers) in person, on the phone, and in writing. |
| Physical Endurance | Physical abilities sufficient to stand for multiple hours, sustain repeated movements, and maintain physical tolerance for entire work shift. | Standing multiple hours at a patient’s side during examination or therapy session |
| Physical Strength | Physical abilities sufficient to lift, support, and move heavy objects. | Exert 100 lbs. of force occasionally, 50 lbs. frequently, and 25 lbs. of force regularly. Support 25 lbs. of weight (e.g., ambulate patient). Lift 25 lbs. of weight (e.g., transfer patient). Move light and heavy objects. Carry equipment/supplies. Defend self against combative patient. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces, and maintain physical tolerance for repetitive movements and demands of the work shift. Sustained standing. | Move within confined spaces. Sit or stand and maintain balance. Reach above shoulders and below waist. Twist, bend, stoop, or climb on stool or stairs, and move quickly in response to potential emergencies. Use upper and lower body strength. Squeeze with hands and fingers. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective examination and treatment of patients and complete documentation. | Grasp, pick up objects with hands. Manipulate small objects with hands/fingers. Write with pen/pencil. Sit and maintain balance. Maintain balance in a variety of postures. Reach above shoulders, reach below waist. Walk with and observe patient on a variety of surfaces and heights. Reach, manipulate, and operate mechanisms such as lifts, treatment tables. Self-mobility with capability of propelling wheelchairs, stretchers, heavy equipment for extended periods of time. Type on computer keyboard. |
| Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Hear normal and faint voices. Hear faint body sounds such as blood pressure, heart beat, etc. Ability to receive spoken communication when not able to read lips. Hear auditory alarms such as monitors, fire alarms, and call bells. |
| Visual Skills | Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary for safe patient care. | Visualize objects from 20 inches to 20 feet away. Use depth perception and peripheral vision. Distinguish colors and color intensity. Read and understand written documents. |
| Tactile | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and equipment manipulation. | Feel vibrations to detect pulses, etc. Detect temperature. Feel differences in sizes and shapes and detect surface characteristics. |
| Smell | Detect environmental and patient odors. | Detect odors from patient (e.g. foul smelling drainage, alcohol on breath, etc.). Detect smoke. Detect gases or noxious smells. |
| Emotional Stability | Emotional stability sufficient to tolerate rapidly changing conditions and environmental stress. | Establish appropriate therapeutic interpersonal boundaries. Provide patients with emotional support. Adapt to changing environment and stress. Deal with the unexpected. Focus attention on task. Monitor own emotions. Perform multiple tasks concurrently. Handle strong emotions. |
Clinical Education and Resources
Clinical education experiences are designed to maximize the student’s abilities to apply newly acquired patient/client/client management skills in clinical settings. The educational institution depends upon the clinical sites to provide carefully supervised learning experiences through which the student has the opportunity to apply the principles learned in the classroom. The clinical site is also a highly conducive environment in which to develop professional attitudes, values, and ethics; seek practitioner role models; and to observe and participate in administrative, managerial, and clinical research spheres. The problem-solving approach should form the basis of these experiences.
The student, with the clinical instructor as guide, should have the opportunity to gather all relevant information about the patient/client through examination; make clinical judgments from the information gathered; organize these judgments into a physical therapy diagnosis; establish a prognosis and goals through this process; and plan an appropriate program of intervention to attain these goals. Inherent in this approach is concern for the individual student’s needs. The clinical instructor should evaluate the student and communicate recognized strengths and weaknesses, as the student strives for excellence in performance as a physical therapist.
The professional curriculum shall prepare the student to meet the following goals:
- To develop safe, logical, and effective patient/client management skills in a variety of health care settings.
- To develop effective skills for clinical teaching and lifelong learning.
- To develop a strong sense of professional values which fosters an ethical approach to the practice of physical therapy.
Students are responsible for costs of transportation, housing, meals, uniforms and other expenses associated with each clinical education experience.
For more information regarding the clinical education component of the curriculum, please refer to the Student Handbook.
Meet Our Current Students
Graduate Data
| CLASS | 2022 | 2023 | 2-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Employed as physical therapists within one year of licensure | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Licensure Examination Pass Rate | 100% passed the NPTE (90% on the first attempt) | 97% passed the NPTE (92% on the first attempt) | 99% passed the NPTE (91% on first attempt) |
Prospective Students
The DPT Program includes nine semesters of academic course work with three full-time clinical affiliations (totaling at least thirty weeks of full-time clinical practice), and numerous additional clinical experiences. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the Physical Therapy program. Admission is limited to 36 students per class.
Admission Requirements (Click for drop down)
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia Southern University is a full-time, nine-semester program that is comprised of academic coursework and three full-time clinical affiliations (with a minimum of 32 weeks of full-time clinical practice), in addition to other smaller clinical experiences. Upon completion of the program, all students are awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. All program graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for state licensure in all jurisdictions. Admission is limited to 36 students per class.
Meeting the minimum criteria for application does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapy program
Prerequisite Coursework
Applicants to the DPT program must complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and any additional prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution. While any major field of study is acceptable, the degree and all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation.
- At least 5 of the 8 prerequisite science courses must be completed at the time of application. Applicants must have completed all of the requirements by the time of enrollment in the program.
- Prospective students must have earned a grade of C or higher in all of the prerequisite courses. In the event that courses are taken more than once, grades will be averaged (see below for more information about GPA calculations).
- Online classes are accepted for fulfillment of prerequisite courses, including lab science courses.
- AP courses are accepted for fulfillment of prerequisite courses, but they will not be included in GPA calculations.
Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the social, biological and physical sciences and mathematics, so that they can comprehend and integrate physiological, pharmacological, behavioral and biomechanical principles into physical therapy practice. Applicants must also demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. At least 5 of the 8 prerequisite courses bulleted below must be completed at the time of application:
- A one-year sequence of basic (general, inorganic) chemistry with laboratories which are designed for science or health professions majors;
- A one-year sequence of general physics with laboratories (both calculus or non-calculus physics are acceptable), which are for science or health professions majors and which include mechanics, electricity, magnetism and light;
- A one-year sequence of anatomy and physiology with laboratories (either as two combined anatomy and physiology courses or with one course in physiology and one course in anatomy), which may be lower-division human anatomy and physiology courses for health professions majors or upper-division vertebrate or human physiology and comparative or developmental anatomy;
- One general biology course with laboratory. (Botany, ecology, and environmental science are not acceptable substitutes.)
- One course in statistics (covering at a minimum measures of central tendency, probability distributions, linear regression).
Two courses in the social sciences are also required. Abnormal psychology and human development are recommended.
Applicants are also encouraged to take advanced human physiology and anatomy courses such as exercise physiology, neurophysiology, advanced human physiology, kinesiology and/or biomechanics.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
GPAs are calculated by PTCAS during the application process. Applicants must meet the following GPA requirements in order for their application to be considered:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Minimum physical science GPA of 3.0
Please refer to PTCAS for information about how GPAs are calculated and which courses are included in the Science GPA. Any coursework completed after an application is submitted will not be considered in the GPA calculations, since it will not be verified by PTCAS.
No grade of D or F will be acceptable for satisfaction of the prerequisite courses. If an applicant earns a grade of D or F in a prerequisite course, he/she may retake that course only one time. No more than two prerequisite courses may be repeated with the goal of earning a passing grade. Applicants may repeat courses with grades of C or higher to improve their GPA, but repeated courses will be averaged in the calculation of the applicable GPA.
Required Documentation
Please note Snapshot is no longer needed for the application process.
The following documents are required to apply for admission to the DPT program:
- Complete Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application
- Official transcripts from every college and university attended
- Official Graduate Record Examination score reports
- Completed reference forms
- PTCAS application fee
- Altus Suite results: CASPer
ALL application documents, with the exception of CASPer test results, will be collected by PTCAS. Applicants do not complete the Georgia Southern University Graduate Studies application.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The GRE is a requirement to apply to the DPT Program at Georgia Southern. We will accept GRE scores from tests taken at testing centers and through GRE at Home.
Applicants must meet the following GRE requirements in order for their application to be considered:
- Minimum score of 146 on the verbal reasoning section
- Minimum score of 144 on the quantitative reasoning section
When requesting to have GRE scores sent to Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus for your PTCAS application, the appropriate codes are:
School Code: 7813
Department Code: 0619
If you use any other school code, including 5253 (the general Georgia Southern University GRE code), your GRE scores will not be added to your PTCAS application.
For students whose second language is English, a TOEFL score of at least 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 80 Internet-Web based may be substituted for the minimal verbal GRE score. The TOEFL score is not used in calculating a final application score during review of the applications, as there is no mechanism for converting a TOEFL score into a GRE score. As a result, the applicant’s application score may be lower than those of applicants who took the entire GRE.
The CASPer Test
Altus Suite
All applicants applying to the DPT Program at Georgia Southern University are required to complete an online suite of assessments through Altus Suite (formerly called the CASPer Test), to assist with our selection process for the 2023-2024 Application Cycle.
Altus Suite consists of a two-part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. Altus Suite consists of:
- Casper: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)
You will register for Altus Suite for the US Professional Health Sciences test (CSP-10101).
Access www.TakeAltus.com to create an account and for more information on important dates and requirements, and the Altus Suite assessments. Altus Suite results are valid for one admissions cycle.
Physical Therapy Observation Hours
Applicants should have an understanding of the scope of physical therapy practice. This understanding is best developed through observation of physical therapists in multiple types of clinical practice. For the 2023-24 admissions cycle, applicants are recommended to demonstrate a total of 75 hours of observation under a licensed physical therapist.
We acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems and applicants’ ability to complete observation hours. As a result, we have moved from requiring 75 observation hours to recommending them. These circumstances will be considered in the review of applications. PT observation hours that have been completed or are planned should be included in the PTCAS application but do not need to be verified by a physical therapist in order to be submitted.
Reference Forms
Applicants are required to submit three references, one of which must be written by a physical therapist who has observed and supervised the applicant in a clinical setting. All of the references must be included in the PTCAS application.
Supplemental Material
All potential and enrolled students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must meet intellectual, physical, and social competencies in order to provide safe patient care and successfully complete the program. Applicants must review the Core Performance Standards posted under the program of study.
Applicants are required to review the Core Performance Standards and answer a question about this in the Supplemental Questions section of the PTCAS application.
No supplemental fee or supplemental institution application is required.
Application Process (Click for drop down)
Thank you for your interest in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia Southern University. This program participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application System (PTCAS). To learn more about the PTCAS application process and apply online, please visit the PTCAS website, ptcas.org. Applicants must review Georgia Southern University’s program page on PTCAS for program-specific prerequisites and application requirements.
Program applications for the 2024-25 admissions cycle will be available on PTCAS in mid-June 2024. The Georgia Southern University Graduate Studies application is not used.
Applicants admitted during this cycle will begin the program in May 2025. Enrollment is limited to 36 students per class.
We receive many more applications each year than we have seats available. This means that we have to turn down a large number of applicants. Students should plan to reach beyond our minimum requirements in order to increase the competitiveness of their application.
Application Deadlines
Priority Application Deadline: September 2, 2024
If an applicant’s PTCAS application (including observation hours and references), official transcripts, and GRE scores are submitted by September 2, 2024, their application will be guaranteed full consideration.
GRE Deadline for Priority Applications: August 23, 2024
In order to receive priority consideration, applicants must take the GRE and request scores be submitted to School Code 7813 by August 23, 2024. Scores will be accepted from tests taken at testing centers and through GRE at Home.
CASPer Test for Priority Applications: August 27, 2024
This is the last test date for Priority Deadline applicants.
Final Application Deadline: October 1, 2024
This is the final deadline to submit your application in PTCAS. Applicants must request their official transcripts ahead of this deadline so that their application will be complete.
Final GRE Deadline: September 27, 2024
Applicants submitting their application by the Final Deadline must take the GRE and request scores to be submitted to School Code 7813 by September 27, 2024. Scores will be accepted from tests taken through GRE at Home.
Final CASPer Test: September 29, 2024
This is the last CASPer test date for applicants submitting their application by the Final Deadline.
Steps to Prepare for Application
- Review the program’s application requirements
- Attend an information session
- Request official transcripts from every college and university attended
- Request official GRE score reports to be sent to school code 7813
- Complete the CASPer test by the final test date for priority deadline or final deadline applicants
- Request three references
- Complete Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application by the priority deadline or final deadline
- Submit PTCAS application fee
Next Steps after Application Submission
- Verify that your application was submitted by the deadline. Only applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed.
- Verify that PTCAS has received and processed all requirements (transcripts, GRE scores, references, etc.). PTCAS advises that processing may take up to 4 to 5 weeks once all required materials have been received.
- Continue to check the email account listed in your PTCAS account regularly. This is how the program and PTCAS will communicate with you about your application. It is important to take any necessary steps to prevent messages from being diverted from your email inbox.
Interviews
A personal interview is required for admission. Interviews are scheduled by invitation only. Interviews for applicants who meet the priority deadline will take place in October. Interviews for applicants who meet the final deadline will be scheduled in December.
Admission and Matriculation Process
Timeline for Decisions:
Priority Deadline: Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions by early November.
Final Deadline: Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions by late December to early January.
Candidates selected for admission must formally accept their seat and submit a non-refundable deposit. Students who matriculate in the DPT program at Georgia Southern University will have their deposit refunded during the first week of classes.
Once selected for admission, students are required to submit the following:
- Georgia Southern University Graduate Studies Application
- Verification of Lawful Presence
- Official final transcripts
- Evidence of health insurance
- Immunization records and health screening documents
- Evidence of CPR certification
Contact Information
Please contact the program office with any questions about admissions:
Phone: 912-344-3220
Email: pt_dept@georgiasouthern.edu
Altus Suite
All applicants applying to the DPT Program at Georgia Southern University are required to complete an online suite of assessments, Altus Suite, to assist with our selection process for the 2023-2024 Application Cycle.
How to Complete Altus Suite
Program Tuition and Fees
Current tuition and fee charts can be found on the Georgia Southern University Bursar’s website. When reviewing tuition, click on a specific semester, then choose Armstrong Campus/Graduate Student to view the tuition rate for 12+ credit hours. The DPT Program consists of 9 full-time semesters that are all 12+ credit hours. The total amount for in-state and out-of-state students can be used to estimate the projected total cost of the program for nine semesters. For a comprehensive costs and affordability analysis, please visit https://em.georgiasouthern.edu/finaid/costs-affordability/.
For information about financial aid and scholarships, please visit Financial Aid.
Information Sessions
Information sessions will be led by DPT program faculty and include an overview of the program and the admissions process. Information sessions will be held on the following days:
- Dates Coming Soon
If you are interested in attending one of the above sessions, please register at the link below. All in-person information sessions will be held on the Armstrong Campus. Once registered, you will receive a parking pass for in person sessions or a link for virtual sessions the week before the session.
Faculty and Advisory Board
Currently the program consists of 11 full-time faculty and several adjunct faculty members. All are licensed to practice within the state of Georgia.
Meet Our Advisory Board Members
| Tory Candea Speech and Language Pathologist and Georgia Southern Communication Sciences and Disorders Director of Clinical Education |
| Erin Cantrell Physical Therapist Tuttle Army Health Clinic |
| Jaclyn DeLoach Physical Therapist and Owner Advent Therapy |
| ZT Howard Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation Effingham Hospital |
| Drew McKenzie Teacher and Community Member Jenkins High School |
| Susan Parys Physical Therapist and Director of Therapy Operations Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah |
| Rebecca Robinson Physical Therapist and Clinical Instructor Georgia Southern University Health Services |
| Jennifer Roberson Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation and Wound Care Services East Georgia Regional Medical Center |
| Anne W. Thompson Physical Therapist, Georgia Southern Professor Emerita and Chair of the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy |
Accreditation
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Georgia Southern University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: https://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 912-344-2550 or email pt_dept@georgiasouthern.edu.
Contact Us
Please contact the program office with any questions about admissions:
Phone: 912-344-2550
Email: pt_dept@georgiasouthern.edu
Those outside the DPT program who wish to report a concern or complaint or DPT students who wish to address concerns that are not addressed in the Georgia Southern University Student Handbook should reach out to the Department of Clinical Sciences Chair, Laurie Adams, Ed.D., at laadams@georgiasouthern.edu.
Those who wish to register a complaint about the program may contact the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305; telephone: 800-999-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: https://www.capteonline.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission Requirements
What changes to the admissions requirements have been made due to COVID-19?
What are the prerequisite course requirements?
Can I retake a prerequisite course?
Do all prerequisite courses need to be completed before I submit my application?
Are AP classes accepted for prerequisite courses?
Do prerequisite courses have an expiration date?
Where can I take prerequisite courses?
Are grades for classes that are currently in-progress considered in admissions decisions?
What are the GPA requirements?
What are the average GPAs of accepted students?
How is the science GPA calculated?
What are the GRE requirements?
What is the GRE code?
What are the average GRE scores of accepted students?
Students accepted into the program have an average Verbal GRE score of 152 and an average Quantitative GRE score of 152.
What is the Altus Suite and is it required?
All applicants to the DPT Program at Georgia Southern University are required to complete an online suite of assessments through Altus Suite (formerly called CASPer Test) to assist with our selection process for the 2023-24 admissions cycle.
Application Process
Can I apply for Early Decision?
What is the priority deadline?
What is the final deadline?
Can I submit my application after the deadline?
Should I complete the Georgia Southern Graduate Studies Application?
Is there a supplemental application or fee?
What should I do after I submit my application?
Is an interview required?
When will I be notified of the admissions decision?
Matriculation Process
When does the program begin?
What is the tuition for the DPT program?
How do I apply for in-state tuition?
Professional License Disclosure
The Department of Clinical Sciences anticipates that graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program will seek individual state licensure from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
The Department of Clinical Sciences has determined that the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a physical therapy license in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for Physical Therapy license, go to www.fsbpt.org to check the requirements of your state or territory.
Georgia Southern makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, residence requirements, jurisprudence exams, training, etc.
For more information, as well as for a list of applicable state boards, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.
Last updated: 6/28/2023