Due to the impact of COVID-19, several requirements have been updated for the 2020-21 application cycle and are noted in the "Admission Requirements" section below.
How to Apply
Applicants to Chatham University’s entry-level physical therapy program must use the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Beginning in mid-June, applications may be submitted through the PTCAS application with all relevant materials: official transcripts, PT volunteer experience, and references. Please note official GRE scores are required, but there is not a supplemental application requirement.
Important Dates for Fall 2021 Admission
Application Deadline: October 1*
Virtual Admission Interview Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020 (by invitation only)
In order to be eligible for invite to the admission interview:
- Applicants need to have at least 60% (24 credits) of the ten prerequisites complete by August 31
- PTCAS applications must be e-submitted by October 1*
- Applications must be complete and include all other Chatham admission requirements (see below) by October 15
*It is highly recommended that you submit your application to PTCAS on or before September 15. PTCAS’s verification process occurs once an applicant e-submits the application and all official transcripts have been received. Verification involves some processing time, so it is in your best interest to submit all materials as early as possible to ensure your complete, verified application is available for us to review.
Admission Requirements
- A completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution prior to the beginning of classes.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended sent directly to PTCAS
- Overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better on a scale of 4.0 as calculated by PTCAS
- Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, grades less than a “C” are not acceptable, and prerequisite courses must have been completed no more than ten years prior to the anticipated start date of the program.
2020-21 CYCLE UPDATE: A "Pass" or “Satisfactory” grade for prerequisites will be accepted for coursework completed during the Spring 2020 semester. However, such grades do not impact GPA calculation.
- At least six of ten completed prerequisite courses by August 31st of the application year. Prerequisite courses:
- Biology with lab - two terms
- Chemistry with lab - two terms
- Physics with lab - two terms
- Physiology with lab (prefer human) - one term**
- Human Anatomy with lab - one term**
- **If taking anatomy with physiology, both anatomy & physiology I and II with labs are necessary to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements.
- Statistics or Research Methods – one term
- Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development – one term
- A combination of developmental psychology courses that cover the lifespan —birth to death— are also acceptable
- Official GRE scores sent directly to PTCAS using school code 0412
- GRE scores will only be accepted if taken within three years of the application date.
- There is not a cutoff or minimum GRE score; however, a competitive score is considered a 300 combined with an analytical writing score of 4.0.
- Chatham will use your highest section—quantitative, verbal, writing—scores across all GRE test dates.
2020-21 CYCLE UPDATE: The GRE Exam will be waived.
- Evidence of volunteer/work experience in a minimum of two different physical therapy locations OR two different physical therapy settings included in the PTCAS application. Please note verification of this experience is not required. Examples of different settings include:
- Inpatient
- Acute Care/Hospital Nursing
- Home/Skilled Nursing Facility/Extended Care
- FacilityAcute/Sub-acute Rehabilitation
- Outpatient
- Free-standing PT Clinic/Hospital-based Clinic
- Industrial/Occupational Health
- Home Health
- School/Pre-school
2020-21 CYCLE UPDATE: We understand volunteer/work experience may not be accessible due to COVID-19 and are advising affected students to develop insight into the PT profession through alternative ways: interview a PT (may be virtual) or research the field via the American Physical Therapy Association website. Students will not be required to verify their interview or research experiences.
- Three letters of reference included in the PTCAS application: two academic (faculty or advisor) and one licensed physical therapist OR one academic and two licensed physical therapists.
- Attendance at virtual interview.
Integrated Degree Program
Chatham University undergraduates applying through the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) must complete all requirements outlined on their respective admission or track tab on the IDP Portal Site. All IDP applicants should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure all requirements are met according to the IDP course of study.
Admission Review Process
After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the physical therapy program faculty reviews each candidate's entire application and invites the most talented and qualified students to interview before program faculty and alumni. As part of the admission review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to the offer of admission. The physical therapy program strives for diversity and gender equity within each class.
Articulation Agreements
Chatham University has entered into "Articulation Agreements" with a select group of Colleges and Universities. These agreements provide for additional student pre-professional advisement and possible priority admission status for candidates with exceptional applications, demonstrating academic preparation above the minimal acceptable standards.
Agreements exist with the following institutions for the 2020-2021 academic year: Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College, Washington and Jefferson College, and Waynesburg University. Pre-existing agreements with Mount Aloysius College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University are only applicable to undergraduates who matriculated at these institutions prior to August 31, 2017. Applicants from these institutions are advised to discuss the articulation requirements with their advisor as well as the graduate admission counselor at Chatham University.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Admission Department:
Office of AdmissionChatham UniversityWoodland RoadPittsburgh, PA 15232800-837-1290412-365-1394Fax: 412-365-1609Email
Admitted Student Profile
Students Beginning Fall 2019
Number Enrolled: |
40 |
Average Overall GPA: |
3.66 |
Average Prerequisite GPA: |
3.62 |
Average Combined GRE: |
302 |
Average Writing GRE: |
3.9 |
Average Age: |
23 |
Out-of-State Residents: |
35% |
Females: |
70% |
Males: |
30% |
Students Beginning Fall 2018
Number Enrolled: |
40 |
Average Overall GPA: |
3.65 |
Average Prerequisite GPA: |
3.62 |
Average Combined GRE: |
303 |
Average Writing GRE: |
3.9 |
Average Age: |
24 |
Out-of-State Residents: |
40% |
Females: |
68% |
Males: |
32% |
Students Beginning Fall 2017
Number Enrolled: |
40 |
Average Overall GPA: |
3.7 |
Average Prerequisite GPA: |
3.68 |
Average Combined GRE: |
304 |
Average Writing GRE: |
3.9 |
Average Age: |
24 |
Out-of-State Residents: |
30% |
Females: |
55% |
Males: |
45% |