»Frequently Asked Questions
Admission
All applicants are required to apply to our program through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) website.
What are the admission requirements?
Please visit our Admission page for a full list of requirements.
What degree do I need to apply?
A bachelor's degree from a regionallyaccredited college or university or accredited international university in any area of study is required. All prerequisite courses must be taken in the US.
Does Chapman require a supplemental application?
Chapman does not require an additional supplemental application.
Does Chapman require interviews as part of the admissions process?
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. Interviews provide an opportunity
for us to learn more about you and for you to ask questions about our program. If
selected for an interview, you will receive further details from our admission team
via email.
No, please only submit one application and mark an interest in being considered for both. Please note, you must have all prerequisites complete prior to the start of the program.
When are application decisions made?
Application decisions can start as early as December and will continue until both cohorts are full.
If I get denied can I reapply?
Yes, please resubmit an application through PTCAS during the next application cycle.
How much is the deposit for the DPT program?
The non-refundable deposit amount for the DPT program is $500.
Can I take prerequisite courses at a community college?
Yes, prerequisite courses can be taken at a community college.
How many applications do you receive each year?
There are approximately 700-1000 applicants per year.
What is the average cohort size?
40 in each cohort (Summer and Fall).
Does Chapman give priority to in-state applicants?
Chapman does not give priority to in-state applicants.
Does Chapman accept DPT transfer students?
Chapman does not accept DPT transfer students.
General Information
How long is the DPT program and can the program be taken online?
The program is full-time, 36 months long, on a trimester system (15 weeks each trimester).
Chapman does not offer an online entry level DPT program.
When does the DPT program begin?
The Summer cohort begins in April/May. The Fall cohort begins in August/September.
Where are the physical therapy classes located?
All DPT courses are located at the Rinker Health Science Campus: 9501 Jeronimo Road,
Irvine, CA 92618.
Can I work while enrolled in the program?
It is recommended that students do not work while in the program.
What is the curriculum for the program?
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Curriculum Grid 2025-2028
How will a felony or misdemeanor impact eligibility for a PT program or PT license?
PTCAS requires you to report any felony convictions. Physical therapist programs may
require criminal background checks or drug tests in order to verify your eligibility
to participate in clinical education, to confirm your eligibility for PT licensure,
and to ensure patient safety.
Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Please visit the Student Business Services website for current tuition and fees.
Does Chapman University provide scholarships for DPT students?
The Physical Therapy department offers a small number of fellowships as a non-renewable
award for students with outstanding GPA at the time of application. All candidates
who matriculate into the entry-level DPT program will be considered. Please also visit the APTA website for other scholarships and grants.
What other fees are DPT students responsible for?
Students are responsible for health insurance, transportation, room and board, textbooks, and supplies. Students are responsible for a one-time fee of $108.00 for the utilization of clinical software during your time at Chapman. There are no out-of-state resident fees. Students are required to have Health Insurance, therefore the University bills health insurance as a part of the registration. For more information on the waiver or how to enroll in the health insurance plan please visit the Student Health Insurance webpage.
Housing
There is no Chapman housing at the Rinker campus, but you may visit our off campus housing website to look for roommates and housing options. Chapman may be offering limited university graduate housing at Panther Village (near Orange Campus).
Clinical Education
When do clinical experiences occur in the program?
Out of 9 trimesters in the curriculum, 3 of them are full-time clinical experiences
that occur off-campus during trimesters 5, 7, and 9.
Where can students attend clinical experiences?
We have hundreds of contracts with sites across the country where students can attend
their clinical experiences. While many students fulfill their clinical experiences
in Southern California, there are options in over 20 other states as well as internationally
(Italy, Belize, Dominica).
How are clinical experiences selected for each student?
Chapman has a unique placement process, made possible by our small cohort sizes and
personalized education. Students can rank preferred placement sites and the Clinical
Education Team will use these preferences as a guide during the placement selection
process. Additionally, students have the special opportunity to apply for out of area
placements, where the Clinical Education Team will search for a placement in a specific
location where the student may have family or housing.
Contact Us
Dr. Shawn Farrokhi
Chair, Physical Therapy
farrokhi@chapman.edu
(714) 744-7906
Graduate Financial Aid
gradfinaid@chapman.edu
(714) 678-2730
DPT Admissions
dptadmit@chapman.edu