Information for Prospective Applicants

Application Dates:  July 1- September 30

Application Help Sessions

Online 6 p.m.

In-person

  • August 18 (4-5 p.m., Kinesiology 112)

  • September 9 (4-5 p.m., Kinesiology 112)


How to Apply to Auburn University Physical Therapy (DPT)

Follow the steps below to complete your application to the Auburn University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

Step 1: Prepare Your Transcript Information

Step 2: Complete the Transcript Entry Document Form

  • Submit the Transcript Entry Document (TED) Form on the Auburn Physical Therapy website.

  • The form will be available when the application opens on July 1, 2026.

Step 3: Save Your TED PDF

  • After submitting the TED Form, you will receive an email containing a PDF copy of your submitted information.

  • Download and save the file using the following naming format:

    LastName_FirstName_TED

    Example: Smith_Jane_TED

Step 4: Apply to the Auburn University Graduate School

  • Complete your application through the Auburn University Graduate School application system.

Step 5: Upload Required Documents to Your Graduate School Application

You will upload or arrange submission of the following materials as part of your Graduate School application:

Required Documents

  • Official Transcripts

    • From all institutions attended, including dual enrollment and transient coursework

    • Transcripts must be sent directly from each institution

    • If you are currently enrolled, an unofficial transcript may be submitted from the current institution, with an official transcript required upon graduation or course completion

  • Transcript Entry Document (TED) PDF

    • Complete the online form and upload the emailed PDF

    • Save the file as Last Name_First Name_TED before uploading

  • Observation Hours Verification Forms

    • Minimum of 100 verified hours

  • Personal Statement / Letter of Intent

    • Maximum of 2 pages (double spaced, 12-pt font)

  • Essay on Current Challenges Facing the Physical Therapy Profession

    • One page

    • 500‑word maximum

  • Resume

    • Maximum of 2 pages

Letters of Recommendation (3 required)

  • Recommenders will upload letters directly after you provide their name and email address in the application.

  • Letters must include:

    • Two from U.S.-licensed physical therapists who supervised the applicant

    • One from a professor teaching an upper‑level course in the applicant’s major

Step 6: Pay $200 non-refundable application fee to complete your application

Apply here Transcript Entry Document Worksheet Clinical Observation Hours Form

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must complete all requirements listed below and must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution prior to starting the program.

  • Minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) overall

  • Minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) for prerequisite courses (no grade lower than a C will be accepted)

  • Minimum 3.0 (A=4.0) for last 60 semester hours

Auburn University equivalent courses are listed next to each requirement below. To determine how courses taken from other institutions equate to the Auburn University prerequisites listed above, please review the Transfer Equivalency Charts located on the AU website.  For transfer and all other DPT admissions related inquiries, please email us at dpt@auburn.edu. 

  • Introductory or general biology with lab (8 credits/2 semesters) (BIOL 1020/1021 & BIOL 1030/1031)

  • Introductory or general chemistry with lab (8 credits/2 semesters) (CHEM 1030/1031 & CHEM 1040/1041)

  • Introductory or general physics with lab (8 credits/2 semesters) (PHYS 1500 & PHYS 1510)

  • Human or mammalian anatomy with lab (4 credits/1 semester) (BIOL 2500/2501)

  • Human or mammalian physiology with lab (4 credits/1 semester) (BIOL 2510/2511)

  • Biomechanics/analysis of human movement (3 credits/1 semester)(KINE 3620; Engineering-based biomechanics course is not acceptable.)

  • Medical terminology (2-3 credits/1 semester) (KINE 3000 or HADM 2100)

  • Introductory or general psychology (3 credits/1 semester) (PSYC 2010)

  • Introductory or applied/general statistics (3 credits/1 semester) (ERMA 2400 or STAT 2510)

  • Technical writing and/or communication (3 credits/1 semester) (COMM 1000 or ENGL 3040 or ENGL 2010 or RSED 4100)

*Required science sequences are intended to be at a level for science majors and include laboratory sessions. A minimum of 8 semester hours is required for each science sequence.

*All but 8 hours of prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester of the year of application. Completion of all prerequisites and submission of official transcriptions prior to matriculation is required. 

*We highly recommend that your prerequisite courses be completed within the past 8 years.

The following courses are highly recommended prerequisites as well as they will contribute to an applicant’s preparation for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

  • Motor control/motor behavior/motor learning/motor development (KINE 2250/2251 or KINE 3650)

  • Exercise physiology (KINE 3680)

  • Introduction to research (research methods)/research paper/research presentation (KINE 4760 and KINE 4780)

  • Exercise and sport psychology (KINE 4620)

  • Human/child development (HDFS 2010)

  • Nutrition (NTRI 2000)

  • Developmental psychology (PSYC 3120)

  • Introductory or general sociology (SOCY 1000)

A documented minimum of 100 clinical observation hours within the last 2 years are required. These hours must occur under the supervision of a U.S. licensed physical therapist (clinical and/or research). Students must have observation experience in multiple physical therapy practice settings (example: out-patient, orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, in-patient, etc.). A form to document clinical observation hours is available here. 

As a letter of intent, applicant submits two documents:

  1. Personal statement [2-page maximum]

  2. Current challenges facing the Physical Therapy profession [500-word limit] 

Applicants submit a maximum 2-page resume outlining education, work experience, leadership, service, and other relevant activities. 

Three letters of recommendation are required for a complete application packet. Two letters must come from U.S. licensed PTs who supervised the applicant. One letter should come from a professor in an upper-level class in the applicant’s major.

Select applicants will be invited to the Auburn University campus to participate in the formal interview process with AUPT program faculty, after initial application screening. 

Events Calendar