WKU DPT Admissions Event is by invitation only and is scheduled for the morning of November 16, 2024 (more details to follow). Attendance at the Admissions Event is REQUIRED for final consideration for admission. The admissions committee will consider hardships for attending this event on a case-by-case basis.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Pass/Fail courses:

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and University’s allowing a Pass/Fail format, the WKU DPT Program Admissions Committee is making the following clarification statements regarding grades for prerequisite science courses:

In order to be considered for the standard admission cycle, standard letter grades must be present on the transcript for at least 5 of the required 8 science courses; COVID-19 Pass/Fail, AP Pass credit, or dual credit Pass credit for the remaining 3 prerequisite science courses will be accepted.

Please contact the WKU DPT Department directly should you have a unique situation that is not specifically addressed above.

Admission to the program is competitive and limited to 32 students per class.

Complete applications received by the application due dates will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee to determine which applicants will be invited to our admissions event. Following the completion of the this event the admission committee will determine which applicants will be offered entry into the program. Due to the competitiveness for entry into the program and the limited spaces available, applicants that meet the minimum requirements are not ensured admission into the program.

Who are Physical Therapists?

What is the Role of a Physical Therapist?

The following are the average scores for the class admitted in 2024:
- Cumulative GPA 3.61
- Prerequisite GPA 3.41
- Verbal GRE 46.0%'ile
- Quantitative GRE 30.0%'ile
- Analytical GRE 56.0%'ile

Admissions to WKU DPT

The following are requirements for admission into the WKU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:

Step 1: Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree: Prospective candidates are required to earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation.
- You may apply prior to receiving your degree.
- We do not give special consideration to any particular undergraduate degree or major.
Prerequisite Courses:
- Prerequisite courses: 5 of the 8 science courses must be completed prior to submission of the PTCAS application.
  - Anatomy (1 semester with lab) and Physiology (1 semester with lab) OR Anatomy & Physiology I and II (2 course sequence with labs)
  - Biology (2 semesters with labs)
  - General Chemistry (2 semesters with labs)
  - General Physics (2 semesters with labs)
    - All Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses MUST be appropriate for science majors (Anatomy & Physiology are the exceptions)
  - Psychology (1 semester)
  - Statistics (1 semester)
No grade lower than a C (i.e. C-, D, F) is acceptable in any prerequisite course.
There is not an expiration date on prerequisite courses.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, for both overall and prerequisite science courses is required.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE): GRE scores must be received and processed by PTCAS and the WKU Graduate School by the October 1, 2024 application deadline.
- There is no minimum GRE score requirement.
- A composite score of 300 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections will be more competitive.
- A score of 3.5 out of 6 on the analytical writing section will be more competitive.
- We will take the highest score from each section, if you have taken the exam multiple times.
- GRE scores are only valid within the last 5 years.

Observation Hours:
- PT hours are required - a licensed PT must verify hours w/ signed form uploaded or online via PTCAS.
- Total number of PT hours required is 35 hours.

Step 2: Deadlines

June 17, 2024: Application cycle begins for everyone.

WKU Early ACCEPTANCE Process
- WKU will offer its own internal Early Acceptance process. A LIMITED NUMBER of Early Acceptance class spaces will be available. To be considered for WKU Early Acceptance, applicants are required to complete the following:
  - ALL standard PTCAS requirements (application, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received by PTCAS by September 6, 2024 (Application and fees due to PTCAS by11:59 PM EST).
  - ALL standard WKU Graduate School Application requirements (application, fee, transcripts, and GRE scores) must be received electronically by the WKU Graduate School by September 6, 2024 (11:59 PM CTS) or postmarked by September 6, 2024.
- In order to be considered for the WKU Early Acceptance process (and begin the WKU DPT program the Summer of 2025), ALL application materials must be received by both PTCAS and WKU as indicated above.
- Applicants must indicate their desire to be considered for the WKU Early Acceptance process on the appropriate PTCAS Custom Question as well as notify the WKU DPT Program of your desire to be considered for WKU Early Acceptance.
- Requirements to be considered for Early Acceptance:
  - Overall cumulative GPA 3.6 or higher
  - Prerequisite GPA 3.6 or higher
  - GRE-V 150 or higher
  - GRE-Q 150 or higher
  - 6 of the 8 prerequisite science courses MUST be completed with Verified PTCAS grades prior to submission of the PTCAS application.

Standard Decision Due Dates
- PTCAS application due October 1, 2024: Application and fee due by 11:59 PM Central.
- WKU Graduate Application due October 1, 2024: Application and fee due by 11:59 PM Central
- In order to be eligible to begin the WKU DPT program the Summer of 2025, ALL required applications & fees must be postmarked by the above due dates.

Step 3: Application Materials

You are required to apply to BOTH the WKU DPT program (via PTCAS) and to the WKU Graduate School (see link below)
NOTE: materials (including transcripts) must be sent to both locations, there is no communication between PTCAS and the WKU Graduate School

WKU DPT Program Application (via PTCAS):
- Requirements:
  - Application & fee
  - Send official transcripts from all college, university, and professional coursework to Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
  - Send official GRE scores to PTCAS (code 0557)
  - Send two (2) letters of recommendation to PTCAS
    - The first letter of recommendation is required from a licensed Physical Therapist
    - The second letter of recommendation is required to be from a current or previous professor, an advisor, or a current or previous employer/supervisor

WKU Graduate School Application:
- Requirements:
  - Application & fee
  - Send official transcripts from all college, university, and professional coursework to WKU Graduate School, even if you do not have a grade for the course (i.e. course in progress) Do NOT send to the Department as that may delay your application. Send Directly to the Graduate School (Code 0557)
  - Send official GRE scores to WKU Graduate School (code 0557) Do NOT send transcripts to the Physical Therapy Department, send to Graduate School
  - The Graduate School
    Western Kentucky University
    Wetherby Administration Building, Room 207
    1906 College Heights Blvd. #11010
    Bowling Green, KY 42101-1010
    graduate.school@wku.edu
    Ph: 270-745-2446 Fax: 270-745-6950

Step 4: Admissions Event

Completed applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, resulting in the top applicants being invited to the WKU DPT Admissions Event (tentatively scheduled for November 16, 2024). Attendance at the Admissions Event is REQUIRED for final consideration for admission. The admissions committee will consider hardships for attending this event on a case-by-case basis.

Technical Standards

Students are required to enter the Program with a minimum level of ability in specific areas termed “Technical standards.” Students are required to meet the minimum technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation as part of the Core Performance Standards as stated in the DPT Program Student Manual and Program Policies and Procedures. Your application to the WKU DPT program signifies you have reviewed and understand the Technical Standards provided on the WKU DPT program website. In addition, upon admission you will be required to sign documentation that you understand the implications and content in each section, as well as signify whether you will or will not require reasonable accommodations. You can review the technical standards here.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a facility tour, please contact our DPT Office Coordinator, Audra Coil.

Phone # 270-745-3234

Email: audra.coil@wku.edu

Please note, we do not review transcripts.

Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.

Download Acrobat Reader Download Quicktime