Physical Therapy (DPT) Application Instructions

DPT Eligibility and Prerequisite Requirements

Before beginning the application process, review the pre-application requirements for this program.

Baccalaureate Degree

A completed bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution that is accredited by one of the regional accrediting organizations (e.g. Higher Learning Commission), or an approved dual-degree plan for completing the baccalaureate degree during the DPT program.

Grade Point Average

A cumulative and prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Clinical experience

A minimum of 60 hours of physical therapy experience during the three years prior to application.

**COVID-19 Exception: We will continue to encourage as many hours as possible.  However, knowing adjustments may need to be made regarding site availability for observations hours, we are requiring a minimum of 20 hours at one site type.**

Prerequisites

Specific prerequisite courses are required for the DPT program; review the next section for details.

The goal of the admission process is to compare all applicants on the same coursework, as much as possible. The Admission Committee uses the basic-level courses in each prerequisite field, which all applicants are likely to have taken. Not all courses taken in a prerequisite field are used to compute the prerequisite GPA. Only enough credits to satisfy the minimum requirement are counted in the prerequisite GPA. High-level electives may be used to meet credit requirements, but they are not necessarily used in the prerequisite GPA calculation, because the Admission Committee has no information about how other applicants would perform in those courses.

We recognize that applicants may have performed better in elective courses than in the basic course sequence. These elective grades will improve the overall GPA. However, rather than taking new electives, applicants may repeat a maximum of three basic courses to improve their GPA.

All prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade and must have been completed within the past seven years. If prerequisites are retaken, only the grade received in the most recent course is calculated into the prerequisite GPA. Pass/Fail courses are not used in the prerequisite GPA calculation. Prerequisite courses may be in progress and/or yet to be taken at the time of application (no more than three), but must be completed prior to enrollment in the graduate program.

Applicants are allowed to complete no more than 4 semester/5 quarter credits of prerequisite coursework during the summer prior to Fall enrollment. All other prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of winter/spring term. If an applicant appears to be missing the required number of credits in several prerequisite areas, the Admission Committee has the authority to deem the applicant ineligible to continue in the review process.

We will accept AP credits for the following prerequisites: pre-calculus, statistics and general psychology. To verify results, applicants must submit official College Board scores directly to St. Catherine University (not to PTCAS) using the code 6105.

We will consider courses completed in an online format from a regionally accredited institution. However, we encourage students to complete courses that include a lab component in a face-to-face format, if possible.

We do not accept coursework from technical colleges unless the coursework was taken after the technical college merged with an accredited community college.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed for a letter grade of C or higher (pass/fail or S/U grading is not acceptable), with a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Biology (8 semester credits)
A general biology sequence is preferred. The following courses will be considered in descending order of preference: general biology I, II, cell biology, microbiology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, histology.
St. Kate's equivalent: BIOL 1710, BIOL 1720, BIOL 3210 (BIOL 2200 is also acceptable but 3210 is preferred), BIOL 3224, BIOL 3250, BIOL 3444, BIOL 4220, BIOL 4354.  

Human Anatomy (4 semester credits)
Courses in order of preference are: human anatomy (often first half of combined anatomy and physiology sequence) or mammalian/vertebrate anatomy. These credits must be from an anatomy, biology, physiology or kinesiology department and must cover individual muscle function.
St. Kate's equivalent: BIOL 2610 or BIOL 3120

Human Physiology (4 semester credits)
Courses in order of preference are: human physiology (often second half of combined anatomy and physiology sequence), mammalian/vertebrate physiology or pathophysiology. These credits must be from a biology or physiology department.
St. Kate's equivalents: BIOL 2620 or BIOL 3140

Chemistry with lab (8 semester credits)
A chemistry sequence for science or health-science majors is preferred at a level beyond high school remedial.
St. Kate's equivalent: CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120

Physics with lab (8 semester credits)
A physics sequence for science or health-science majors is preferred at a level beyond high school remedial.
St. Kate's equivalent: PHYS 1080 and PHYS 1090

Psychology (6 semester credits)
Courses in descending order of preference include: general psychology and developmental psychology/lifespan developmental psychology or abnormal psychology.
St. Kate's equivalent: PSYCH 1001, PSYCH 2025, PSYCH 3010

Statistics (3 semester credits)
Course content should include: reliability, validity, experimental control and design, statistical inference and comparison of group means, correlation and regression. These credits must be from a math, psychology or statistics department.
St. Kate's equivalent: STAT 1090, STAT 1094, ECON 1080, ECON 1090, HLTH 1090, PSYCH 1090

Mathematics (4 semester credits)
These credits must be at the level of pre-calculus or higher.
MATH 1090 or MATH 1130

Recommended:

Medical Terminology (1 course)
St. Kate's equivalent: IPE 1030

**COVID-19 Exception: We strongly recommend that prerequisite courses (including courses with a lab component) be completed for a letter grade.  However, in light of many institutions mandating all Spring 2020 courses be Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (or Pass/Fail) or are allowing students the choice, we will accept a Satisfactory or Pass designation for any prerequisite course completed in the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 terms only. PLEASE NOTE: no more than 1/3 of all prerequisite courses can be used with a S/U or P/F designation.**  

Use the online Transfer Evaluation System (TES) resource to determine if a specific course you have taken (or plan to take) will fulfill a DPT prerequisite requirement. All St. Catherine course equivalencies listed in TES are fully verified by our Registrar’s Office.

How to Use TES

  1. Make note of the St. Catherine department abbreviation (BIOL, CHEM, MATH, etc.) and course numbers in the DPT prerequisite list.
  2. Connect to TES
  3. Identify the institution from which you have completed courses (or plan to complete courses). You may search for institutions using the “Find Transfer College by Name” search box, or use the alphabetical index provided.
  4. Enter the course code for one of our DPT prerequisites (e.g., MATH 1080). Select “Home Course” and click on Search. This will identify any courses from the institution that are equivalent to the St. Catherine prerequisite course. You could also enter the code for the other institution’s course, and select “Transfer Course” and Search. This will identify any St. Catherine courses that might be equivalent to the other institution’s course. Be sure to review any notes with additional information for a given course.

If you have searched via TES and can’t find a specific school or course listing, contact your admission counselor for assistance. Please include the institution, course name and number, and course description in your email.

How do I apply?

Please read the application instructions below before beginning the application process.

Deadlines

The DPT application deadline is December 1 (11:59 p.m. EST) for fall admission. We strongly encourage candidates to complete the application process at least one month prior to the deadline to ensure that all materials are received. Only applications that are "complete" or "verified" by the deadline will be considered.

We will begin accepting applications on July 3, 2020 for Fall 2021 consideration.

Enrollment Information: Fall 2019

  • Number of completed applications: 288
  • Class size: 34
  • Acceptance rate: 24.7%
  • Matriculation rate: 47.9%
  • Average overall undergraduate GPA: 3.75
  • Average prerequisite course GPA: 3.67
  • Average GRE verbal: 153
  • Average GRE quantitative: 155
  • Average GRE writing: 4.3

Entry-Level Applicants

Entry-level applicants are individuals who have completed/will complete a bachelor’s degree from another institution and are applying as first-year graduate students. All entry-level applications are processed through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applications are managed using a rolling admissions process from July to December 1 for classes beginning the following fall. There is no supplemental application that needs to be submitted to St. Kate's; only the PTCAS application will be reviewed.

Personal Statement

To demonstrate written communication skills and clarify your purpose in pursuing a graduate degree in physical therapy, you will answer each of the following questions in separate essays in PTCAS.

  • Please expand on the PTCAS application section on extracurricular and work-related activities. What leadership attributes did these activities help you develop? How will these attributes transfer to your career as a physical therapist?
  • Describe a situation in which you experienced significant adversity or cumulative stress. What skills and/or strategies did you use to cope with that situation? Explain how you envision these or other strategies would support you as a physical therapy student and future physical therapist.
  • Our program strives to prepare a diverse body of general practitioners who are highly respected for their competence and compassion in providing care to patients with a variety of backgrounds, values, and beliefs. Describe your attributes and experiences that prepare you for this challenge/opportunity.

PTCAS Essay Question

Reflect on a meaningful experience in your life and share how that experience influenced your personal growth, such as your attitudes or perceptions.

Please note that the upcoming PTCAS application may include an optional statement that will allow applicants to expand on any impacts COVID-19 may have had on their preparation for application to graduate school.

Recommendations

Two references must be completed. One reference must be from a physical therapist who can verify the applicant's healthcare experiences. The second reference must be a professor, preferably in your major, but can also be from another area or from an academic adviser. Links to an online form will be sent through PTCAS after the applicant enters the reference’s contact information.

Transcripts

All transcripts must be submitted to PTCAS. Please submit from every post-secondary institution attended, even if courses are recorded on another transcript and regardless of the number of credits earned.

GRE Scores

Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to PTCAS. The test date must be within five calendar years prior to the term of intended enrollment. Please use the DPT Program code 7594 to submit scores to PTCAS.

Clinical Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of 60 hours of physical therapy experience during the three years prior to applying to the DPT program. It is strongly recommended that these experiences be in two or more settings. These experiences may be as a paid employee or volunteer, or a combination of both.

Credential Evaluation

Applicants with a college or university degree completed outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation from World Education Services (WES). All costs related to document evaluation are the applicant’s responsibility. Official evaluation results must be reported in PTCAS. If admitted into the DPT program, an official evaluation must also be submitted to St. Catherine University directly from WES.

TOEFL Scores

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the iBT. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the United States. Candidates must report official TOEFL scores in PTCAS. If admitted into the DPT program, official test scores must also be submitted to St. Catherine University directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Application Review

Upon receiving a completed file from PTCAS, the DPT Admission Committee completes the review of an applicant’s file within 3-4 weeks. Each application that has been completed with the accompanying materials required by St. Catherine University will be considered by the committee. Fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the graduate program. No credentials will be returned to the applicant. Students are notified via letter about their admission status, which may include accepted, waitlisted, or denied admission.

Dual Degree Applicants

Dual-degree applicants are St. Catherine undergraduate students who are pursuing an approved dual-degree plan. Dual-degree applicants will use the St. Catherine online application form, which is available now.

Personal Statement 

To demonstrate written communication skills and clarify your purpose in pursing a graduate degree in physical therapy, please answer each of the following questions in four separate essays. Please submit it in one document and do not exceed four typed, double spaced pages in total.

  • Please expand on the application section on extracurricular and work-related activities. What leadership attributes did these activities help you develop? How will these attributes transfer to your career as a physical therapist?
  • Describe a situation in which you experienced significant adversity or cumulative stress. What skills and/or strategies did you use to cope with that situation? Explain how you envision these or other strategies would support you as a physical therapy student and future physical therapist.
  • Our program strives to prepare a diverse body of general practitioners who are highly respected for their competence and compassion in providing care to patients with a variety of backgrounds, values and beliefs. Describe your attributes and experiences that prepare you for this challenge/opportunity.
  • Reflect on a meaningful experience in your life and share how that experience influenced your personal growth, such as your attitudes or perceptions.

If you have already submitted the application form, you may upload your personal statement via your Application Status page (instructions for accessing the status page were provided at the time you submitted the application). Please include your full name at the top of the statement.

If you wish to submit the personal statement prior to the application, or if you are unable to upload the document to your Application Status page, you may send the statement as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu with “DPT Personal Statement” in the subject
line.

Recommendations

Two references must be completed. One reference must be from a physical therapist who can verify the applicant's healthcare experiences. The second reference must be a professor, preferably in your major, but can also be from another area or from an academic advisor. Links to an online form will be sent via the St. Catherine application form after the applicant enters the reference’s contact information.

Transcripts

On the application form, list each post-secondary institution attended, even if courses are recorded on another transcript and regardless of the number of credits earned. The Office of Graduate Admission will access current student files from the Registrar’s Office in order to obtain these transcripts, as well as a current copy of the St. Catherine transcript. If any transcripts are missing from the current student file, it is the applicant’s responsibility to request that the official transcripts be sent directly from the outside institution to the Office of Graduate Admission. Dual-degree applicants are expected to have both a cumulative and prerequisite undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

GRE Scores

Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Dual-degree applicants are encouraged to complete the GRE by the end of September prior to the December 1 deadline. Please use the Institution code 6105 to submit scores to St. Catherine University.

Clinical Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of 60 hours of physical therapy experience during the three years prior to applying to the DPT program. It is strongly recommended that these experiences be in two or more settings. These experiences may be as a paid employee or volunteer, or a combination of both. Please note: You will need to provide documentation of experience(s) directly on the application.

Application Review

The DPT Admission Committee completes the review of dual-degree applications in January, after all fall grades are posted. Applicants that were originally admitted as an “Early Admit” when enrolling at St. Catherine University must adhere to the prescribed requirements outlined in their initial admission offer. For all other dual-degree applicants, fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the graduate program. Each application that has been completed with the accompanying materials required by St. Catherine University will be considered by the committee. No credentials will be returned to the applicant. Students are notified via letter in February about their admission status, which may include accepted, waitlisted, or denied admission.

Submitting Materials 

Electronic documents may be directed to: graduateadmission@stkate.edu

Paper documents may be mailed to:
St. Catherine University
Graduate Admission #4027
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

Essential Functions and Technical Standards

A practicing physical therapist must be physically, cognitively, emotionally and mentally capable to meet the rigorous demands of clinical practice. The Description of Essential Functions and Technical Standards defines the essential functions and technical standards that PT students must meet in order to successfully progress through the program. All students must be capable of meeting these requirements or similar with or without reasonable accommodation.

All prospective students are encouraged to review this document prior to applying to the DPT program. All admitted students are required to read and sign this document prior to beginning their DPT program at St. Catherine.

Petition Process

Applicants may petition for an exemption to the requirements. Common examples include waiving the seven year requirement for a prerequisite course, or applying with a GPA below 3.0. Applicants who wish to petition for an exemption should send an explanatory statement via email to the DPT Admission Committee co-chair, Laura Gilchrist, at lsgilchrist@stkate.edu. Petitions will not be considered unless a PTCAS or St. Catherine application has also been submitted.

Background Check

Minnesota State Law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct patient contact with patients and residents at a healthcare facility licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health have a background study conducted by the state.

International Applicants

The following information pertains to applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.