High School Senior
Do I apply to the PT program as a freshman?
No. You apply to the university to the preprofessional program in physical therapy. As a freshman, you will be advised to work toward completing your general education and physical therapy prerequisistes. You will also declare a major in an area of your choice (for example, Biology, Psychology, Communications, Business). You apply to the major during the fall of your junior year at Bellarmine.
What are the admission requirements?
Highly qualified Bellarmine University undergraduate students may be admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program after completing all prerequisite and general education courses (except IDC. 401) and a minimum of 90 semester hours. Transfer applicants to the professional program must hold a baccalaureate degree and have completed all program prerequisite courses. Admission to the program is selective and highly competitive. Students attending Bellarmine as undergraduates are preferentially admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
Qualified applicants to the program must have:
- minimum prerequisite point average of 2.75/4.00
- a minimum overall (cumulative) undergraduate grade point average of 2.50/4.00
- completed seven of the ten prerequisite courses prior to January 1 of the admission year
- completed all program prerequisites prior to entering the professional curriculum
- a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisites courses
- taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in the past 5 years and had their official scores submitted to Bellarmine University (School Code 1056)
- 25 clock hours of documented work or volunteer experience in a physical therapy setting
- the physical ability to perform tasks required of a physical therapist
Application Deadlines
Priority application deadline is October 15. Final application deadline is December 1. Visit www.ptcas.org to apply.
How many students apply to the program and what are their qualifications? There were around 300 applicants in the fall 2007 applicant pool. The average student had above a 3.6 cumulative GPA and above a 3.5 key GPA.
How many students do you admit?
We admit 48 students to the program each year.
Are there any advantages to attending Bellarmine as a freshman instead of attending another university to receive my undergraduate degree?
There are many advantages to attending Bellarmine as a pre-physical therapy major. First, you receive the benefit of being able to meet with PT faculty as you prepare for entrance to the program. Secondly, there is a pre-PT major club and you can be involved with the club as soon as you start classes here.
Of course, you also receive the advantages all BU students receive – small class sizes, personal attention, and great residence halls and campus life.
Another benefit is that you apply for early admission, you will spend one less year in school – if you attend another institution to receive your bachelor degree and then enter the DPT program, you will have been in school one year longer than a Bellarmine student. Highly qualified Bellarmine undergraduate students can enter the program after all prerequisite and general education courses and a minimum of 90 semester hours.
Finally, qualified Bellarmine students receive priority admission in the DPT program.
How much does it cost?
Because costs change yearly, please consult an admission counselor or the Nursing & Health Sciences Recruiter regarding tuition and fees.