Admissions

How to Apply

Applicants for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program for the 2026-27 academic year must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

JWU participates in rolling admissions, but early applications are encouraged.

• Cycle opens: June 2026
• Application Deadline: April 15, 2027

---

Application Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Overall GPA ≥ 3.0
• Prerequisite GPA ≥ 2.6
• All prerequisite classes must be completed before matriculation
• Official copy of all post-secondary transcripts if not officially verified in PTCAS
• Three (3) letters of recommendation with at least one from a physical therapist
• Completed PT Experience Form required at time of application must include:
  • A minimum of 40 verified hours
  • All clinical experience hours MUST be posted by the application deadline

Students will be required to score higher than 80% on a medical terminology test in the first semester. If you score less than 80%, you’ll need to take an online medical terminology course.

---

Required Academic Prerequisites

• Statistics: 3 credits
• 2 courses in Biological Sciences with lab (NOT botany): 8 credits
• Anatomy with lab: 4 credits (3 credit lecture; 1 credit lab) (if combined with physiology, then 8 credits)
• Physiology with lab: 4 credits (3 credit lecture, 1 credit lab) (if combined with anatomy, then 8 credits)
• 2 courses in Chemistry with lab: 8 credits
• 2 courses in Physics with lab: 8 credits
• Psychology: 3 credits

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Johnson & Wales University is committed to ensuring that otherwise qualified students with disabilities are given equal access through reasonable accommodations to its services, programs, activities and education. Any student who has a documented disability and needs specific accommodations should contact the Director of Accessibility Services at Johnson & Wales University at 401-598-4689 to learn more about the process of applying for accommodations and determining eligibility for accommodations.

Students with disabilities are expected to perform all the essential functions of the program with or without reasonable accommodation(s). While Johnson & Wales University will make every reasonable effort to accommodate students’ disability-related needs, it is important to note that the JWU DPT Program is not required to provide requested accommodations that would fundamentally alter the essential functions, qualifications, technical standards or other academic or clinical requirements of the program, or result in an undue financial or administrative burden.

Certain chronic or recurrent illnesses and problems that interfere with patient care or safety may be incompatible with training as a healthcare professional or interfere with the ability to manage modern clinical practice. Other illnesses may lead to a high likelihood of student absenteeism and should be carefully considered.

Students will be dismissed from the JWU DPT program if they are unable to complete the Essential Functions noted herein even with reasonable accommodations. It should be noted that clinical sites may not be able to offer the same accommodations during the students’ Integrated and/or Full-Time Clinical Experience(s) that were considered reasonable by the JWU DPT program during the didactic phase of a student’s education. Furthermore, students must be able to meet all Essential Functions during clinical experiences, with or without reasonable accommodations, within timeframes that are consistent with contemporary clinical practice.

Students will attest to their ability to meet all Essential Functions during orientation using the Essential Functions Attestation Form. Should a student become injured, suffer a change in physical/mental health, medical status (including pregnancy), or a faculty member questions the student’s ability to meet the Essential Functions listed herein, the student may be required by the program to seek confirmation of their ability to meet the Essential Functions by a Licensed Medical Professional using the JWU DPT Medical Clearance Form. Both of these forms can be found in the DPT Handbook.