Admission to the
Physical Therapy Program

Important Dates and Deadlines

• July 15, 2009 - Application available on PTCAS for 2009-2010.
  
  
• August 2, 2010 - Deadline to submit outstanding admission requirements.
  
  
• November 16, 2009 - Application deadline. 
  
  
• December 1, 2009 - Application close date. Preference is given to applications submitted by November 16th deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will be accepted and reviewed only if positions in the class remain.
  
  
• January 15, 2010 - Deadline to submit transcripts reflecting fall 2009 grades and GRE scores.
  

• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: A deposit must be received within two weeks of notification of admission.

Admission Requirements (All Applicants)

• Completed PTCAS application
  
  
• An earned BA or BS degree from a regionally accredited  college or university
  
  
• Official GRE scores
  
  
• 40 hours of physical therapy observation/experience
  
  
• Cumulative (or last 30 hour) GPA of 3.0 or higher
  
  
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher

A complete list of admission requirements may also be found on the PTCAS website: www.apta.org/ptcas/chapman.html.

Admission Instructions

The Department of Physical Therapy accepts approximately 52 students into each class which begins in August. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation into the DPT program in late August. Chapman University offers priority admission and regular admission.  Priority admission requires higher grade point averages (GPAs) and a higher Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (see below). Preference for admissions is given to applicants with the highest GPA and GRE scores. 

International applicants must have course work evaluated by an appropriate agency and must hold a degree equivalent to a baccalaureate degree earned in the United States. International applicants also must submit TOEFL scores and financial certification. Contact the International Admissions Officer at Chapman University for specific requirements and additional information.

Application Process

Chapman University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will be using the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS). Applications may be obtained from PTCAS and will be available beginning July 15, 2009, and will be due November 16, 2009. Applications received after the deadline will only be accepted and reviewed if positions in the class remain.  Chapman University does not require a supplemental application, but it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary materials have been received by PTCAS and the Department of Physical Therapy. 

Transcripts

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from every regionally accredited U.S. postsecondary institution attended.  Transcripts need to be submitted directly to PTCAS using the Transcript Request Form . Applicants must also update their application and submit transcripts to PTCAS reflecting fall 2009 grades no later than January 15, 2010.  Transcripts reflecting spring and/or summer 2010 grades must be submitted directly to the Department of Physical Therapy. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) 

Applicants must submit GRE test results for all examination attempts. It is recommended that the GRE examination be taken six weeks prior to the application deadline. GRE results must be submitted no later than January 15, 2010. The exam must be taken within 5 years of the application deadline and scores from various test dates are not combined. Scores will be considered relative to the scores of other applicants and the GPAs. Test results should be sent to Chapman University, institution code 4047. The following website or phone number may be convenient in registering for the GRE (www.gre.org or 1-800-473-2255).

The following minimum scores are acceptable scores for admission to the program:

	Regular admissions	Priority admissions
	Verbal 400	Verbal 450
	Quanitative 500	Quanitative 530
	Analytical Writing 3.5	Analytical Writing 3.5

Observation/Experience

Applicants are required to satisfactorily complete at least 40 hours of observation (or paid work) to ensure at least minimal knowledge of the practice of physical therapy.  Observation hours must be supervised by a licensed physical therapist and must be completed by August 2, 2010.  Applicants are required to report their hours on the PTCAS application; verification forms are not required.

GPA Expectations

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): The Department will use the CGPA calculated by PTCAS.  The CPGA will be calculated based on all courses completed, including the fall 2009 semester. A minimum CGPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required for admission to the Chapman University DPT program.  Applicants who do not have a CGPA of 3.0 or higher may demonstrate readiness for rigorous academic performance through the last 30 semester credits of course work (or 45 quarter credits).  Any courses remaining to meet degree or other requirements must be completed with a grade of C or better, and a CGPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained until the matriculation date in August of 2010.
   
   
2. Grade Point Average for the Last 30 Semester Credits: Applicants who do not have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may demonstrate readiness for academic performance through the last 30 semester credit hours.  The GPA for the last 30 hours must be 3.0 or higher.  The last 30 semester credit hours must include at least 15 hours of science courses and no more than 7 hours of repeated coursework.  This 30-hour GPA is substituted for the CGPA only for the purpose of admission to the professional curriculum in physical therapy.  The appropriate PGPA, GRE scores and 40 hours of experience must be completed as indicated for regular admission.  Appropriate quarter hours (approximately 45) may be substituted for semester hours.
   
   
3. Prerequisite Grade Point Average (PGPA): The Department will calculate the PGPA.  PGPA will be calculated based on all prerequisite courses completed, including the the fall 2009 semester. No more than two science courses and a total of three prerequisite courses may be remaining after the fall semester in which the application is submitted. Applicants with the least remaining prerequisite course work may be given preference over other applicants. Prerequisite course work must be completed with a grade of C or better, and a PGPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained until the matriculation date in August of 2010.  Prerequisite coursework may be repeated only once; the second grade will be used to calculate PGPA.

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Priority admission is for the applicant who has demonstrated high academic performance and who desires an admission decision as quickly as possible. The following criteria are required for admission for priority admission.

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). The last 30-hour rule does not apply to priority admission.
   
   
2. Prerequisite (all required courses) GPA of 3.4 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) with no course grade below a C. No more than two science courses and a total of three prerequisite courses may be remaining after the fall semester in which the application is submitted. Applicants with the least remaining prerequisite course work may be given preference over other applicants.
   
   
3. GRE scores will be considered relative to the scores of other applicants and the GPAs. The exam must have been taken within the last five years and scores from various test dates are not combined. The minimum acceptable scores for priority admissions are as follows:

• Verbal 450
  
  
• Quantitative 530
  
  
• Analytical Writing 3.5

Applicants eligible for priority admission will receive an early admission decision, prior to regular applicants, and will have priority consideration for scholarship money. After receiving your application from PTCAS, the Department will determine your eligibility for priority admission. 

The deadline for priority admission is November 16, 2009, for enrollment in fall 2010.  

Note: Admission decisions will be made available to all priority applicants beginning at the end of January and continuing through February.

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The following criteria are required for regular admission: 

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or meet the last 30-hour GPA rule.

1. Prerequisite (all required courses) GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) with no course grade below a C. No more than two science courses and a total of three prerequisite courses may be remaining after the fall semester in which the application is submitted. Applicants with the least remaining prerequisite course work may be given preference over other applicants.
   
   
2. GRE scores will be considered relative to the scores of other applicants and the GPAs. The exam must have been taken within the last five years and scores from various test dates are not combined. The minimum acceptable scores for regular admissions are as follows:

• Verbal: 400
  
  
• Quantitative: 500
  
  
• Analytical Writing: 3.5

The deadline for regular admission is November 16, 2009, for enrollment in fall 2010. 

Note: Admission decisions are determined on a rolling basis beginning at the end of February and continuing until the class is filled. 

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Prerequisite Coursework

* "Req" = required course;  "Rec" = recommended course;  "Crq" = conditionally required course

International Application Requirements

Campus Visits

New Student Reception

This reception is an opportunity for accepted students to acquaint themselves with members of the faculty and staff, tour the physical therapy facilities, speak with current students and review specific information regarding the program.

	When:	Saturday, April 25, 2009
	Time:	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
	Location:	501 W. Palm Ave. Western Cordage Building Orange, CA
	RSVP:	Contact Serena Healey or (714) 744-7620

Ethical and Professional Standards

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition

Tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year is $28,728 ($9,576 per semester). Please contact the Business Office for more information regarding expenses and tuition.

Financial Aid

For more information regarding student financial aid options, visit Chapman University’s Office of Financial Aid either online or drop by:

Federal Student Aid

Orientation & First Day of Classes