Apply to DPT

The Augustana University DPT Program receives applications for admission through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS). PTCAS allows applicants to use a single application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs. Application instructions can be found here or on the Augustana University directory page within PTCAS.

In addition to the PTCAS application, applicants must submit the supplemental materials listed below:

Official Transcripts from each college and university attended. For applicants with required coursework in process, final official transcripts showing completion of prerequisite courses and baccalaureate degree must be received prior to enrollment.
A Purpose Statement essay that addresses the provided prompt(s) and follows formatting criteria as directed.
An Inclusivity Statement essay that addresses the provided prompt and follows formatting criteria as directed.
Applicants with a cumulative GPA under the required threshold will be asked to submit an Academic Performance Essay where they will have the opportunity to explain their prior academic performance and indicate steps and strategies for improvement.
Letters of recommendation from two people who can speak to the applicant’s potential as a future physical therapist. One letter must be from a licensed physical therapist. Letters of recommendation are submitted by the referee directly via secure link within the PTCAS system.
English Language Proficiency, when applicable. We invite international students, and those whose primary language is not English, to apply to Augustana. Admission is granted to those who have excellent academic promise and achieved a minimum score on one of the following English proficiency exams. TOEFL (550 PBT or 79 iBT), IELTS (6.0 overall band), Duolingo English Test (minimum 105/160) or equivalent scores on the, MET, PTE, GTEC CBT, or EIKEN exams. For applicants who earned a degree from an institution whose language of instruction is English, and those who earned a degree from an institution within the United States, the documentation of English proficiency requirement is waived.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is NOT required.

Application Review

The Augustana DPT program uses a rolling admission format.
The DPT Admission Committee reviews completed applications in the order of receipt as they are submitted.
Applicants will be notified of their status (Admit, Waitlist, Deny) within 60 days of application submission.

Application Selection

The planned size for each class is set at 100 students per cohort.
Once 100 students have been accepted into a cohort, other applicants meeting admission criteria and recommended for acceptance are added to a waitlist. If seats become available, the Admission Committee will use the waitlist to offer admission to rank-ordered applicants.

How Applications are Screened

Applicants are evaluated based on Cumulative GPA, Prerequisite GPA, Letters of Recommendation, and Personal Statement. Preference points may be awarded for other factors including:

Completion and performance in recommended courses
Demonstrated ability to successfully balance high credit loads
Relevant work/volunteer/service experience, clinical experience (volunteer or observation)
Military experience
Member of an underrepresented group in the physical therapy profession
Being an Augustana University alumnus

A standardized Application Screening Rubric is used to evaluate applications for completeness, and to score all of the required components and award preference points as appropriate.

Augustana DPT Application Review and Selection Rubric

Applicants may be invited to participate in further Interview and/or Hybrid Learning Experience Activity (HLEA) by the DPT Admission Committee based on their rankings following initial application screening. Invitations for Interview and/or HLEA will be offered within 30 days of application receipt.

Interview Process

The DPT Admission Committee will invite selected applicants to participate in an interview. Direct Admit applicants are not required to go through a formal interview process.

Interviews will be conducted through an interactive video platform (Kira Talent) where students will record themselves responding to a short series of questions. Students will be provided a short amount of time to prepare their response following each prompt. All responses will be time-limited and single-take to assess the applicant’s ability to respond in the moment.
The DPT Admission Committee will review and score interview recordings using a standardized Interview Rubric. Interview scores will be incorporated into the overall admission score. Applicants will be categorized as Admit, Waitlist, or Deny based on their ranking.

Hybrid Learning Experience Activity (HLEA)

Direct Admit, Admit and Waitlisted applicants will be invited by the DPT Admission Committee to participate in the HLEA, delivered through the Kira Talent platform. Those ranked as Direct Admit will be invited to complete the HLEA immediately. Waitlisted applicants will be invited to complete the HLEA once they are moved onto the Admit list.

The intention of the HLEA is for the applicant to experience a short on-line educational session delivered in a similar format as the didactic portion of the DPT Curriculum.
Applicants will be asked to provide a written response self-reflection with a goal of understanding whether this hybrid model is appropriate for their DPT education. Participation in the HLEA is required , but will not be scored or factored into their overall admission score.
While written responses will not be scored, the Admission Team may review them to gauge the writing quality. Applicants who are admitted to the program yet show some deficiency in written communication will be directed toward resources to improve their writing skills.

Selection Process

The DPT Admission Committee will offer selected applicants admission into the program based on a holistic evaluation of their application, supporting documents, and interview (if applicable).
A combination of academic performance, recommendation letters, essays and interview (if applicable), as well as additional factors (life and work experience, ability to perform under pressure, additional preparation) will be used to help ensure nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all applicants.
All applicants will be notified by email and/or mail regarding final selection decisions.
Applicants who are denied admission following their interview will be offered feedback and counseling on how to strengthen their application from the Admission Team (Admission Coordinator and/or Admission Committee).
Applicants who accept their offer of admission into the Augustana DPT Program will be asked to place a non-refundable $500 within two weeks of accepting admission offer to hold their place in the class. This deposit will be applied toward their first trimester tuition.

Additional Resources