Physical Therapy (DPT)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, several requirements have been updated for the 2021-22 application cycle and are noted in the "Admission Requirements" section below. 

How to Apply

Applicants to Chatham University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program must use the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Beginning in mid-June, applications may be submitted through PTCAS with all admission requirements noted below. Please note the GRE is not required, and there is no supplemental application. 

Important Dates for Fall 2022 Admission

Application Deadline: October 1*
Virtual Admission Interview Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021 (by invitation only)

In order to be eligible for invite to the admission interview:

1. Applicants need to have at least 60% (24 credits) of the ten prerequisites complete by August 31
2. PTCAS applications must be e-submitted by October 1*
3. Applications must be complete and include all other Chatham admission requirements as noted 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.

2021-22 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 31 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 

• 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 Facility
    • Acute/Sub-acute Rehabilitation
  • Outpatient 
    • Free-standing PT Clinic/Hospital-based Clinic
    • Industrial/Occupational Health
  • Home Health
  • School/Pre-school

2021-22 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 professors and one licensed physical therapist OR one professor and two licensed physical therapists.
• Attendance at virtual interview.

Integrated Degree Program

Admission Review Process

Articulation Agreements

Admitted Student Profile

Students Beginning Fall 2020

Students Beginning Fall 2019

Students Beginning Fall 2018

PTH704: Fundamentals of Exercise Physiology

Students will learn the basic principles of exercise physiology using a firm understanding of both anatomy and physiology. These principles stem from how the human body’s normal structure and physiological functioning alters with physical activity. Understanding these adaptations is critical to the understanding of the physiological demands of rehabilitation programs.

PTH703: Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy

This course will provide in-depth preparation required to perform the examination, evaluation, and management of musculoskeletal conditions commonly encountered in physical therapy practice. The course includes the physical therapy diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and development of evidence-based physical therapy plans of care.

PTH741: Principles of Practice I: Intro to PT Practice

This course introduces the novice professional student to the roles of the physical therapist as a professional, a communicator, and as a scholar. There is a heavy emphasis on patient-practitioner communication skills, especially during the patient interview. Fundamentals of evidence-based practice help students embrace the role of scholarly clinician.

View Full Curriculum

Download Full Curriculum (pdf) 

Chatham University Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Chatham University prepares physical therapists who will serve as generalist practitioners. Graduates of the DPT Program must have the knowledge and skills to function in a variety of clinical settings and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Thus, certain skills and abilities must be demonstrated in order to successfully complete both the didactic and clinical components of the curriculum with or without reasonable accommodations, regardless of disability status.

The Physical Therapy faculty have a dual responsibility for the welfare of the patients with whom students/graduates interact, and for the educational welfare of their students. The technical standards outlined below describe specific expectations for student performance in didactic and clinical environments. Inherent in these expectations is providing patient care within a time frame appropriate to the context of care. Individuals must be able to pass assessments throughout their course of study.

Students who believe they may need academic accommodations to fulfill these standards must contact the Office of Academic & Accessibility Resources (OAAR) at 412-365-1523 or oaar@chatham.edu. At any time while enrolled in the DPT Program, if a student is having difficulty meeting the standards, the student must inform the Program Director at that time. After consultation, if it is deemed the student is in need of academic accommodations, they can contact the OAAR.

To perform the essential functions of a physical therapist and succeed in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, the student must demonstrate abilities and skills including (but not limited to) those listed the five areas below:

Observational Skills

With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must demonstrate adequate sensory skills to:

• Effectively observe demonstrations in the foundational and clinical sciences such as anatomical structures, normal and faulty movement, and performance of manual skills
• Visually assess measuring devices such as a goniometer, a tape measure, and dials and displays on equipment
• Effectively observe a patient/client accurately at a distance and close at hand, including during dynamic movement sequences

Communication Skills

With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must demonstrate adequate communication skills to:

• Effectively speak to, hear, and observe patients to elicit information
• Recognize and respond to changes in mood, activity and posture
• Demonstrate and perceive nonverbal communication in self and others

Psychomotor Skills

With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must demonstrate adequate psychomotor skills to:

• Sustain the necessary physical activity level required in classroom and clinical environments (e.g., lift 50 pounds, stand for prolonged periods of time)
• Obtain information from patients by palpation, mobilization and other diagnostic maneuvers
• Aid patients and co-workers with intervention and functional activities
• Use therapeutic interventions that require force and resistance
• Adjust equipment
• Respond quickly in the event of an emergency situation to provide patient care or to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Manipulate objects using one and/or both hands

Intellectual Skills

With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must demonstrate adequate intellectual and cognitive skills to:

• Comprehend text, numbers, and graphs
• Analyze complex problems with attention to detail
• Comprehend three-dimensional/spatial relationships
• Comprehend, retain, assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve with attention to detail
• Use computers and other technology to learn and apply new content
• Utilize knowledge from multiple sources

Behavioral/Affective Skills

With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must demonstrate adequate behavioral and affective skills to:

• Develop mature, sensitive, and therapeutic relationships with patients
• Endure close physical contact with other students, colleagues, and patients
• Function effectively while engaged in stressful situations
• Make sound ethical and legally correct decisions
• Adapt to changing environments and circumstances
• Display compassion, integrity and respect for others
• Self-assess in a reflective and constructive manner
• Make clinical decisions despite uncertain conditions

Disability self-identification is voluntary and confidential. Chatham University offers reasonable accommodations for qualified, eligible students with disabilities. Please contact our Disability Support Services at 412-365-1611 or visit the OAAR website for information regarding documentation guidelines.