Requirements

Applicants must complete all the required material for general Clarkson undergraduate admission. In addition to Clarkson's application process, the Physical Therapy Department requires:

  • Two letters of recommendation (preferably in the health care field)
  • A 250-500 word essay demonstrating awareness of social or health-related issues and experiences appropriate for an individual interested in entering a health profession.


Admission to the pre-professional level is limited. Selection is based on grade point average, particularly in the core science and math courses, volunteer work and other health care experiences, as well as personal qualities and character.


Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration Course Requirements

  • Biology: Two semesters with laboratory (minimum 8 credit hours total)
  • Chemistry: Two semesters with laboratory (minimum 8 credit hours total)
  • Physics: Two semesters with laboratory (minimum 8 credit hours total)
    • Mechanics
    • Heat, Light, Electricity, and Magnetism
  • Math: The math requirement necessary for your undergraduate major
    • Minimum of college algebra and trigonometry
  • Statistics: One semester (minimum 3 credit hours)
  • Psychology: Three semesters (minimum 9 credit hours total)
    • Required are – Introduction to Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Abnormal Psychology or Health Psychology
  • Pre-PT: Three semesters (6 credit hours total)
    • Required are – Introduction to Health Care
    • Healthcare Systems
    • Scientific and Ethical Basis of Healthcare


These courses are required of Clarkson undergraduate students. Alternative courses covering similar content may be substituted by non-Clarkson undergraduates with approval of the Department of Physical Therapy.


Progression into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum
A place is reserved in the DPT curriculum for Clarkson undergraduates who achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), meet the above requirements with a grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), and earn no grade lower than a "C-" in the required courses listed above. In this way, Clarkson undergraduate students do not have to compete for a place in Clarkson's graduate physical therapy professional curriculum.


Non-Clarkson applicants to the DPT curriculum must meet the same requirements, but will be competing for a place in Clarkson's graduate physical therapy professional curriculum.


In addition, all applicants must:

  • Complete a baccalaureate degree, that includes all prerequisites listed above, prior to entering the DPT curriculum
  • Submit a Graduate Application to Clarkson University
  • Submit a portfolio that meets the DPT portfolio guidelines, and demonstrates the ability to work in a group, possession of professional behaviors, communication skills, the ability to reflect and self-evaluate, and self-motivation
  • Submit documentation of a minimum of 20 hours of observation or volunteer experience in physical therapy and/or another health care setting
  • Submit three letters of recommendation