Physical Therapy Program

The Physical Therapist Program at ASU awards the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.  The last Master's degree class will graduate in December 2010.  The first class of doctoral students   began coursework in the Fall 2009 semester.  The program is designed so that a bachelor's degree and prerequisites to the program are completed prior to the professional coursework.  Once accepted into the program, students attend full time for 3 years to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Click here for DPT prerequisites

Click here for Graduate School Application

Click here for DPT Application

What is the first step to becoming a physical therapist? Since it requires a graduate degree to become a physical therapist, the first step is to obtain a bachelor's degree and complete the prerequisite coursework. 

Do I have to have a PTA degree before I can be a PT?  No, PT and PTA are separate degrees.  Many choose to become a PTA then return to school to pursue a PT degree; however, PTA is not a necessary stepping stone to PT. 

What bachelor's degree do you need to apply to PT school?  There are no requirements for a specific bachelor's degree as long as the prerequisite courses are completed successfully.  The best advice is to follow your area of interest.  No one major is looked upon more favorably than another.  Interdisciplinary Studies through University College at ASU is appropriate for students who hold an associate degree and are interested in applying to the DPT program.  Otherwise, degrees in biology,exercise science, athletic trainign, education, sociology, psychology, communication disorders, business and agricultural science are all appropriate as are many others.

What are the eligibility requirements and prerequisite coursework?  Admission to the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy is a competitive process.  In order to produce graduates who will be competent to serve in the many roles required of a physical therapist, the faculty values a mature applicant, one who has demonstrated his/her academic and cognitive abilities as well as his/her personal and professional potential.  Applicants to the program should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international univeristy with equivalent requirements for the bachelor's degree. 
• Complete the prerequisite coursework.
• A record of academic accomplishment sufficient to meet the entrance requirements of the ASU Graduate School.  Admission to the physical therapy program cannot be finalized until the applicant has been admitted to the ASU Graduate School.  Contact information for the Graduate School is P.O. Box 60, State University, AR 72467, (870) 972-3029.

When do I apply?  Applications are due March 1, 2010.  You may apply as long as your bachelor's degree and prerequisites are completed prior to the start of the PT program.  The DPT program begins in the fall semester.

What is the application process?  Download and complete the application, hand-deliver the application to the physical therapy office located on the first floor of the Nursing and Health Professions Building or mail the completed application to ASU Physical Therapy Program, Admissions  Committee, P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467.  You must also apply to the Graduate School. 

Once applications have been received, overall GPA and prerequisite GPA are calculated.  Based on GPAs, the top applicants are invited for an interview.  At the time of the interview, applicants complete the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.  Interview and reading test scores are added to the GPAs to determine the final ranking of the applicants.  The top 16-20 applicants are invited to join the PT program with the remainder placed on the alternate list.

What is the cost of the program?  Tuition and fees can be found at www.astate.edu by clicking on the A-Z index and then Tuition and Fees. Other costs during the PT program include textbooks, name tags, physical examination, immunizations, TB skin tests, TB mask fitting, CPR certification, Professional Liability insurance, Health Insurance, graduation fee, licensure fees following graduation, and living/transportation expenses during clinical rotations. For estimates on costs other than tuition and fees, contact a PT faculty member.

How do I find an advisor?  Once you have chosen which bachelor's degree you want to pursue, you will contact the department of your major and be assigned an advisor.  Since you will not formally have an advisor from the PT program until you are admitted to the program, we suggest you visit with someone from the PT faculty as a mentor.  This person will guide you and provide information and advice but will not lift your advising hold.  This will be done by your official advisor.

Can I transfer from another college or university?  Yes, students may complete their bachelor's degree at  other institutions.  In order to see if additional coursework is necessary prior to be admitted in the PT program contact the PT program at ptadmissions@astate.edu.

What is clinical education? Your education will include clinical rotations where you will work with a physical therapist with patients in a therapy setting such as a hospital, outpatient clinic, rehabilitation hospital, or nursing home.  The DPT program has six clinical rotations.

What is Early Committment?  If you meet and maintain the requirements, you can secure a spot in the PT program prior to the applicaiton process.  We offer a freshman early commit and a senior early commit.

Freshman Early Commit requirements:

• Be an ASU-Jonesboro student
• Have an ACT score of 24 or higher
• Submit a request for early commit between January 15 and March 15 of the freshman year
• Maintain a 3.25 GPA each semester during the undergraduate years
• Complete prerequisite coursework
• Begin membership in the ASU Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) in the freshman year and maintain membership in the PTSA until the bachelor's degree is complete
• Gain admission to the ASU Graduate School and complete the application process prior to the deadline

Senior Early Commit requirements:

• Be an ASU-Jonesboro student
• Complete 90 or more college credits with the last 30 hrs having been completed at ASU
• Submit a request for the senior early commit in the first semester after completing 90 hrs
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.50 or higher
• Have a 3.50 or better GPA on all completed prerequisite coursework
• Begin membership in the ASU Physical Therapy Student Association (PTSA) and maintain membership in the PTSA until the bachelor's degree is complete
• Gain admission to the ASU Graduate School and complete the application process prior to the deadline
• Must have declared a major field and be making satisfactory progress toward a degree
• Maintain continuous enrollment at ASU -Jonesboro until the bachelor's degree is completed

Can I attend PT school at night, on weekends or part-time?  No, once you start the curriculum courses are sequenced and must be followed through in that sequence.  Classes are offered during the day on weekdays only.

Can I specialize in one area such as sports physical therapy in the entry-level program?  No, you are trained to be a generalist at entry-level.  Introduction into specialty areas may occur during clinical rotations.

If I have a master's degree in physical therapy, will I be required to get a doctorate degree in the future?  No, once you have met the criteria for licensure you are not required to seek an additional degree.  If you are interested in seeking another PT degree, many programs offer post-professional degrees as well as transitional degrees.