Admissions
Doctor of Physical Therapy Admissions
Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is highly competitive. All applications to the DPT program at Bellarmine University must be made through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Bellarmine University does not require a supplemental application.
General information about PT program admissions is available at www.apta.org. Specific information about Bellarmine’s DPT program in PTCAS, such as requirements, course prerequisites, and deadlines, is available at APTA - Bellarmine University.
Please visit the Bellarmine University catalog for a description of the program, application information, admission criteria, information for international applicants, and required and recommended course prerequisites. The program does not accept transfer of credit from other physical therapy programs.
Students interested in a transcript review in preparation for application to the program may submit the request here: Transcript Review
To achieve the Essential Functions of the role of the physical therapist, prospective and enrolled students must be capable of meeting Technical Standards within each Essential Function:
Essential Functions and Technical Standards
Application Information
The Bellarmine University Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares students for licensure and practice in the field of physical therapy. Candidates for licensure in all states must hold a post-baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution. Individuals can apply for admission to this program through a competitive application process. There are three types of applicants for the program:
Traditional “Bachelor's+3” Path
Interested applicants can apply and may be potentially admitted into the Doctor of
Physical Therapy program after completion of a bachelor’s degree in a major of choice
from Bellarmine University or another accredited institution. Applicants must complete
all program prerequisites and application requirements.
Applicants to this path will complete a normal PTCAS application.
“3+3” Early-Entry Path
This path is open to Bellarmine University undergraduate students who have completed
at least 60 credits (generally two full years) at Bellarmine University. Students
apply for the DPT program the summer before the junior year. If accepted, a student would begin the DPT program after 3 years
of undergraduate coursework (90 credits). Students must still fulfill all requirements for an undergraduate baccalaureate
degree from Bellarmine (completion of all general education requirements and completion
of the first year in the DPT program). In doing so, students would earn a Bachelors
in Health Sciences degree following the first year of the DPT program. Students admitted
into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must complete a bachelor’s degree by the
end of the first year of the program.
Students are required to complete at least 18 credits in a content area or discipline that is equivalent to a minor prior to entering the DPT program. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to ensure this requirement is met.
Applicants to this path will complete a normal PTCAS application.
DPT Direct
DPT Direct is a highly selective program open to high school seniors to apply. If
accepted, students matriculate as undergraduates at Bellarmine and can then apply
to the DPT program on the “Bachelor’s+3” or “3+3” path. Students must complete all
application requirements and meet all standards for university admission to be accepted.
Students admitted into DPT Direct as an incoming first-year student in college will then complete a normal PTCAS application as a junior or senior in college.
Contact Information
Please direct Doctor of Physical Therapy admission questions to:
Alex Wink
Assistant Dean of Student Recruitment and Admission
awink@bellarmine.edu
(502) 272-7993