Admission Requirements

Following are the required coursework and application materials for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Oklahoma City University.

General Requirements

Completion of an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States.

• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• Minimum Science GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (Quantitative, Verbal and Analytical Writing)
  • Must be taken within the last 5 years at the time of application
  • If multiple GRE exams are taken, the best scores from each section will be considered
• Recommendations: 1 each from the following:
  • Licensed Physical Therapist whom the applicant has observed working with patients in a PT setting AND who holds a current U.S. PT license
  • Science professor/instructor
  • Additional Professor, health professional, or recent/current employer or supervisor
• International students, or domestic students with credentials from institutions outside of the U.S. must also have:
  • Evaluation of credentials by WES or ECE
  • English Language proficiency: TOEFL OR IELTS

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Completion of all 10 prerequisites is required by the time of program matriculation with a required GPA of 3.00. We recommend you be enrolled in or have completed at least 8 of the 10 prerequisites prior to submitting an application. (Transfer credits from other PT programs are not accepted)

• Chemistry: 2 chemistry courses (for science majors) with labs
• Physics: 2 physics courses (for science majors) with labs
• Statistics or biostatistics: 1 course
• Biological courses: 3 courses
  1. Human Anatomy (with lab)
  2. Human Physiology (with lab)
     • --OR-- 2 combined anatomy and physiology courses with labs
  3. Any additional biology course with or without lab
• Psychology: 1 psychology course with an emphasis on individual behavior (i.e., general, abnormal or developmental)
• Behavioral Science: 1 course with an emphasis on group behavior (i.e., sociology, cultural anthropology)
• Recommended: Applicants are encouraged to complete coursework, or have experience, in professional writing and oral communication. Examples include writing intensive courses, grant-writing, professional publication(s), public speaking, Toastmasters, etc.

Observation Hours

A minimum of 48 hours total, divided among 4 settings of at least 12 hours in each of the following settings (24 hours must be completed prior to application):

1. In-Patient Settings: Minimum of 12 hours in a hospital, rehabilitation facility or skilled nursing facility;
2. Out-Patient Settings: Minimum of 12 hours in a setting such as orthopedics, sports medicine, hospital clinic or PT clinic;
3. Additional Setting: Minimum of 12 hours in an additional setting such as long-term care facility, school, home health or specialty care PT clinic;
4. Service/Community Project: Minimum of 12 hours as an active participant in a service or community-based project. Examples include after-school programs, food banks, women's shelters or engaging in community improvement projects.