There are three situations that apply to admissions for the physical therapy program; direct freshmen admittance; Marquette student transfer admission; and transfer admission for students from other universities that have completed a bachelor's degree. Our Doctoral program is a six-year curriculum for students admitted at the freshman level. It is a 3 year full-time program for students in the professional phase.
Direct Freshman Admittance
High school students that have earned no more than 12 college credits are invited to apply for direct freshman entry. Direct freshman entry is a truly unique feature of Marquette's program. If a student is offered direct admission to the physical therapy program, they only need to maintain certain academic standards to continue in the program as opposed to the majority of schools where students apply for entry to the professional phase after completing an undergraduate degree.
Marquette offers a wide variety of undergraduate majors that incorporate the physical therapy pre-requisite courses needed. The direct freshman admission window to the six year program is fairly unique and removes much of the competitive pressure so that students often develop a richer undergraduate experience consistent with the Jesuit mission of the university. The most popular undergraduate majors are Exercise Science and Athletic Training although there are almost 20 others that can be utilized depending on a students' area of interest. Admission to the professional phase of the program is guaranteed following junior year provided a student meets the following requirements for continuation:
- They must have the ability to complete their bachelor's degree by the fifth year of the program.
- They must have completed the 23 credits of prerequisite course work with a minimum 2.4 grade point average in these credits.
- They must have completed 80 hours of validated experience in a physical therapy clinic as a volunteer or employee under the supervision of a physical therapist.
For direct admission to the program, the best qualified students will be drawn from the pool of applicants. Strong candidates for direct freshman admission rank in the top quarter of their class, have comparable SAT or ACT test scores, and have demonstrated proficiency in their high school math and science courses.
The following high school courses are required for admission:
- one year of biology
- one year of chemistry
- three years of college preparatory math including algebra, geometry, advanced algebra and/or trigonometry
- one year of physics is strongly recommended
High school seniors interested in applying for direct admission should obtain an application for undergraduate admission in the fall of their senior year. The application deadline for direct freshman admission to the program is December 1 of the year preceding enrollment.
Marquette Student Transfer Admission
There are always great students that do not receive the direct admit offer. Student's not offered a direct spot can still enroll at Marquette and begin completing undergraduate requirements for transfer into the professional phase of the DPT curriculum. These students parallel the academic program pursued by those students offered direct freshman admission. However, admission to the professional phase is not guaranteed. Students make special application for admission to the professional phase at the end of their junior year or upon completion of the required courses. Traditionally we have accepted at least 10 internal candidates.
Internal applicant procedures include:
- Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree or they demonstrate a plan to complete their bachelor's degree before the spring term of Year 6 in the professional phase of the program.
- Candidates must have completed or are currently completing the 23 credits of prerequisites course work. No applicant will be accepted with a GPA below 2.4 and depending on the applicant pool, a higher GPA may be required to successfully gain entry into the program.
- Candidates must have completed 80 hours of validated experience in a physical therapy clinic as a volunteer or as an employee under the supervision of a physical therapist.
Marquette graduates are considered internal transfer applicants who have taken half (at least 11 semester credits) or more of the 23 prerequisite credits at Marquette.
Transfer admission is on a competitive basis. The best candidates will be selected from the pool of applicants. The application deadline is February 1.
An application may be obtained from the Department of Physical Therapy. Completed applications must be received by February 1. For more information contact the Chair of the Departmental Admissions Committee at 414-288-7161.
Transfer admission for students from other universities that have completed a bachelor's degree
Students who are completing or who have already earned a bachelor's degree are considered external transfer students and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program would be a 3 year full time program beginning in the fall with graduation occurring in May. External applicants are accepted on a space available basis. Admission is competitive and the following criteria above the minimum standards should be met for your application to be considered favorably:
- a complete application postmarked by the Feb. 1 deadline. Applications containing more than 1 pre-requisite currently in progress are not competitive.
- a 2.4/4.0 GPA in the prerequisite courses is the minimum requirement although a minimum of a 3.0 has been historically necessary to be competitive.
- 12 credits of social sciences and/or humanities must have completed as a liberal arts core.
- verified completion of a minimum of 80 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of one or more licensed physical therapists.
- a verified plan for completion of an undergraduate degree prior to the spring term of the final year of the program.
- official transcripts
- official Graduate Record Examination scores. To be competitive, scores should be ≥ V400/Q400/A4.0 with a total score of ≥ of 1000.
- the prerequisites needed for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree must be completed at accredited 4 year institutions.(Community and 2-year institution courses are not considered to meet the criteria)
- if an applicant is offered admission to the DPT program, a deposit of $250 is required within 10 days to secure and hold the applicant's seat. Notification will be made on or before the end of February.
Download application for transfer admission for students from other universities that have completed a bachelor's degree.
Foreign School Students/Graduates
Undergraduate degrees not obtained in the United States or through a United States college or university must contact the Office of International Education for an international packet. Any questions regarding this process should be directed to OIE at 414-288-7289.
Non-residents of the United States who are seeking to enter the professional phase of the doctorate of physical therapy degree (DPT) should contact the Department of Physical Therapy directly. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Dennis Sobush, admissions chairperson for the Department of Physical Therapy. An application may be obtained from the Department of Physical Therapy. Completed applications must be received by February 1.
Marquette University
Department of Physical Therapy
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-1881
(414) 288-7161
Any student interested in contacting University Admissions may do so by calling 800-222-6544. Admissions can send out general campus info, housing, and financial aid information and add students to their mailing lists to announce any open houses or scholarship competitions which may be of interest.
