Physical Therapy Application Process

The Department of Physical Therapy Education is accepting applications for its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The DPT is a graduate degree. Students enter the DPT program after completing undergraduate studies and earning a baccalaureate degree. The DPT program consists of eight semesters of classroom and including 34 weeks of clinical experience, presented throughout 2 1/2 academic years. 

Points of Entry 

The DPT program accommodates and encourages multiple points of entry for prospective students.

  • Pre-admission Guarantee
    Exceptional students who plan to attend Rockhurst for their bachelor's degree may be awarded a freshman early-admission guarantee for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program based on a combination of ACT or SAT scores, high school GPA and prerequisite courses. (More information)
     
  • PT Scholars Pre-admission Guarantee
    Rockhurst students who demonstrate outstanding academic work after their freshman year may be offered a pre-admission guarantee with a PT Scholars award. (More information)
     
  • Transfer Pre-admission Guarantee
    Students transferring to Rockhurst may apply for pre-admission if they have between 48 - 60 hours of undergraduate work, or have completed an Associate of Arts degree, and have been accepted to Rockhurst University as an undergraduate transfer student. Please click here for more information.
     
  • Post-baccalaureate Students
    Students from accredited universities are welcome to apply to Rockhurst. Typically, students apply while in the last year of their undergraduate degree with a plan to enter the graduate program upon completion of their undergraduate degree.
     
  • Articulation Agreements
    Rockhurst University has articulation agreements with a number of universities in Missouri. Please click here for more information.

How To Apply

To apply to the Rockhurst PT program, students must complete an online application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org.

Important Dates

  • PTCAS 2020 - 2021 application cycle for Rockhurst University closed.
  • PTCAS 2021-2022 application cycle opens June 15, 2021.
  • Rockhurst graduates and pre-admitted students' application deadline is September 1, 2021.
  • PTCAS application soft deadline is September 15, 2021.
  • PT interview day, December 4, 2021.
  • PTCAS academic update opens - December 13, 2021. (applicants enter updated grades from summer and/or fall semesters 2021).
  • PTCAS academic update closes - February 14, 2022.
  • PTCAS application for RU final date January 14, 2022.
  • Students submit all required materials directly to PTCAS and must follow guidelines found on the PTCAS web site.

Required materials for PTCAS include:

  • Complete application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Summary of extracurricular activities, honors and awards
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal essay
  • GRE score (Graduate Record Exam) official Rockhurst GRE PTCAS code 7638.
  • TOEFL scores of at least 80 (internet-based score) must be submitted by international students whose first language is not English

After all application materials are received, qualified applicants may be invited to participate in an interview. Priority is given to individuals who submit their application to PTCAS by the soft deadline of September 15, 2021. Qualified applications submitted to PTCAS submitted after interview day may be invited to interview at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

 

Notice to Applicants Offered PT Acceptance

A $400 deposit (non-refundable) is required for applicants who accept a spot in the Rockhurst physical therapy program. This deposit will be applied toward the first semester's tuition.

Rockhurst University will require the following materials upon completion:

  • Official transcript with undergraduate degree awarded and date conferred.
  • Official transcript(s) showing completion of pre-requisite course(s) not reported to PTCAS (i.e., courses taken spring semester before entering the program).
  • Other transcripts reported to PTCAS will be downloaded by the Graduate Admissions Office.

Transcripts can be mailed to Rockhurst University, Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences Graduate Admissions Office, 1100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact the graduate admissions coordinator at 816.501.4059 or by email. To book a meeting with a graduate admissions coordinator, click Book Appointment.