If you have questions about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at CSU, please look through the categories listed below. If you don't find what you're looking for or need additional information, our advisors will be glad to assist you. Please send us an email to PTAdvising@csuohio.edu.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

1. I am considering applying to the Physical Therapy program at CSU, but is this considered a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program?

As of January 2008, CSU offers only the DPT degree.

2. When does the DPT program start and how long is it?

The program starts in January of each year (Spring semester). It is a 3 full year program (9 consecutive semesters) in length. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

3. What steps need to be taken so I can apply to the program?

You must apply to the CSU Office of Graduate Admissions and also submit a supplemental PT application directly to the DPT Program.  You can find more information, both application forms, and the list of all other required documents at: http://csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/healthsciences/graduate/PT/admissions.html

4. How the application process works, when it starts and when is the deadline?

DPT admissions applications are processed on a competitive basis. Applications are accepted from February 1, until July 1, annually for the DPT cohort class that will begin the following January.

5. Typically how many people apply and are accepted? Are CSU graduates favored at all?

Up to a hundred candidates apply every year and about 30 students are accepted. CSU graduates are not favored in comparison with candidates from other schools. However, completing the BSHS major at CSU is an efficient way to complete prerequisite course work.

6. I have some work experience related to the physical therapy. Will it help me to be admitted to the program?

Previous work experience in any medical field will help you during your studies in the program, future fieldwork, and your prospective career.  Even though prior PT work experience is not an admissions requirement, you are strongly encouraged to spend time in a physical therapy practice as an integral part of your preparation for physical therapy professional education. Experiences gained in this manner are invaluable in making decisions about whether physical therapy is the right career choice for you and will provide a foundation for professional study.

7. How to reapply to the PT program?

In order to reapply to the DPT program at CSU, you should:

1. Contact Graduate Admissions to inform them that you plan to reapply to the DPT Program and to make certain that they still have your Graduate College application, GRE scores, and letters of reference on file
2. If you have taken any additional course work anywhere other than Cleveland State University since your previous application, send updated official transcripts to the Graduate College
3. If you have retaken your GRE, send updated scores to the Graduate College
4. Pay the $25 supplemental PT application fee to the Graduate College (but do not pay the original Grad College application fee a second time)
5. Submit a new DPT Supplemental Application to PTAdmissions@csuohio.edu; be certain to update the prerequisite course section of the Supplemental Application with any new courses you have completed or prerequisite course you might have retaken since your previous application; this application includes a DPT Spreadsheet of your prerequisite courses 

Complete applications reviewed in the early decision April 1 pool will receive decisions by May 1. Those reviewed in the regular July 1 pool will receive decisions by August 15, annually.

9. Are there financial aid and/or graduate assistantship available for the DPT program?

Many students receive financial aid during the Program. Contact the Financial Aid Department at: http://www.csuohio.edu/financialaid/ for additional information.

Graduate Assistantship will be available for select DPT students.  These positions are competitive and usually pay for 9 hours of tuition. The remainder of tuition will be the student’s responsibility.  In return, graduate assistants are expected to work 10 hours per week assisting with program teaching, administrative activities, and/or research.  All incoming students are given the opportunity to apply for the available positions prior to the start of classes.

ADMISSION

10. What are the major admission criteria to the DPT?

Overall and prerequisite GPAs and GRE scores are the principal criteria used to determine admission into the DPT Program. For detailed information about DPT admission criteria and requirements please visit PT program website at: http://csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/healthsciences/graduate/PT/admissions.html

11. How is my overall GPA determined?

The institution from which you received your baccalaureate degree determines your undergraduate GPA.

• For those with post-baccalaureate studies (any course taken after receiving a baccalaureate degree), additional course work is added into the determination of your overall GPA. 
• For those who have not yet received a baccalaureate degree, the overall GPA is calculated from all course work taken to date; in other words, it combines GPAs from any college level course work taken at various institutions of higher learning.

Do not apply until your official GPA is at least 3.0 (in other words, after grades have been posted for the most recent semester’s course work). Otherwise, your admission will be denied because you do not meet the minimum requirements.

13. What is the required score for GRE?

You need to take general version of the exam – for more information check out: www.gre.org.
The minimum required GRE scores are as follows: 400 Verbal, 500 Quantitative, and 3.5 Writing. If under 4.0 for Writing, then Writing Remediation is required.

14. I took the GRE several years ago. Can I still use these scores?

Examination results over six years old at the time of application are not considered valid, and will not be accepted. In addition, examination scores must include the Writing section of the GRE.

15. If I still have to complete some required courses in order to complete your prerequisite course requirements, may I take these courses as part of the DPT program?

All prerequisite courses (as well as your Baccalaureate degree) must be completed before you start the DPT  program. However, you may apply to the program prior to finishing all prerequisite course work, assuming that you list a realistic plan to complete this on the PT Supplemental Application.

16. How should I register at CSU to take prerequisite courses if I already finish my Bachelor’s degree at another school?

For students who already have their Bachelor's degree and who need to take few more prerequisite courses, we recommend registering at CSU as a Non-degree Seeking Undergraduate or as a Post-Baccalaureate student. You can find out more information about both in the following websites:
http://www.csuohio.edu/admissions/guest/nondegree.html and http://www.csuohio.edu/admissions/returning/postbacc.html

17. I started a DPT Program at another school. Would any of my coursework be transferable to the DPT program?

In general, the DPT program at CSU does not accept transfer students from other DPT programs; however, you can certainly apply for regular admission into the program. It is likely that some courses you have already taken at previous schools will meet the prerequisites requirement.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

18. I feel that there are classes I took that would meet some of the prerequisite requirements. What should I do to clarify this?

There is a web site that allows you to look at many course equivalencies at different universities (www.transfer.org). Please use the CSU course numbers on the CSU prerequisite list to determine if the course you plan to take or have taken at another school is equivalent. However, a few courses are difficult to find at most other schools (for example, Pathology, Human Gross Anatomy with human cadaver dissection, and Neuroscience) and are not on the course equivalency web site at present. It is best that you petition these courses in order to receive formal approval if you plan to take them at another school. This can be done before or after you have taken the course, although we recommend doing so before taking the course whenever possible.

19. Does it matter how long ago I took my prerequisite courses?

There is a 6-year limit on the age of prerequisite coursework for the DPT program. However, Human Gross Anatomy, Neuroscience, Pathology, Physiology, and Statistics must be completed within 3 years of a student’s application to the program. Exceptions to these time limits must be granted by petition.

20. How to petition prerequisite courses?  

The petition is a letter in a business format. You can put information about one or several courses, which you want to petition, in one letter. Petition should be addressed to the PT Program Admissions Committee and include a course description and syllabus, plus any other documentation that supports the depth and breadth of the course. The petition can be mailed or emailed to PT Admissions, Department of Health Sciences, HS 101, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 or PTAdmissions@csuohio.edu.

21. Will there be any changes with prerequisites and/or requirements for the DPT in the future?

There may be small changes with prerequisites from year to year. For example, the DPT program no longer accepts CSU’s MTH 147 and instead accepts only upper level (junior or senior level) statistics courses such as PSY 311 (or equivalent course(s) from other schools. PSY 311 will only be offered through Summer 2009. Beginning Fall 2009, the state accepted pre-req. course will be MTH 347). Also, instead of 2 Psychology courses and 1 Sociology course, the DPT accepts one required Psychology course and 2 other social/behavioral science courses. For the most current info about all other possible changes please contact PTadvising@csuohio.edu.

POLICIES FOR FOREIGN APPLICANTS

22. I have lived in the United States for the last 15 years. Who is required to “demonstrate language proficiency”?

Applicants whose native language is other than English, and have received their undergraduate degree from an institution where English is not the language of instruction must demonstrate language proficiency by taking the TOEFL or Michigan test.
(http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/admissions/graduate/)

23. I graduated with my baccalaureate degree from a university outside of the United States. Can I apply to the DPT Program? How do I find out about the equivalency of my baccalaureate degree?

A baccalaureate degree earned outside of the United States must be equivalent to a four-year United States degree. Consult the Center for International Services and Programs and (http://www.csuohio.edu/internat/admissions/) in order to determine eligibility.

CONTACT INFORMATION / APPOINTMENT WITH PT ADVISOR

24. Where DPT program is located?  

We are located at East 25th and Euclid Ave. in the Health Sciences Building (adjacent to Mather Mansion and just west of the EG parking garage). A map is located at: http://www.csuohio.edu/campus_map_tour/campusmap.pdf

25. How can I set up an appointment to discuss my classes to make sure I am on the right track to apply to the DPT program?

To set up a personal appointment please e-mail: PTAvising@csuohio.edu or call 216-523-7479.

PLEASE bring all your (un)official transcript(s) and test result(s) [if available] to the appointment.

26. Would it be possible to meet with an advisor on a weekend or a little bit later than normal working hours? Can I do advising by phone or email?

Regular work hours of our advisors are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Unfortunately, our advisors are not available on weekends or beyond the work hours mentioned above. However, we would be glad to assist you by phone and/or e-mail if it’s more convenient for you.