Auburn anticipates welcoming our charter cohort of Doctor of Physical Therapy students in Summer 2025. Applications will open in late 2024. Please check this website regularly for new information.

All applicants are required to visit Auburn University Graduate School Application Portal, complete application, pay application fee, and provide all required documentation for consideration. Applicants should have earned a baccalaureate degree (or higher) from an accredited institution.

 

Admission Requirements

GPA Requirements

  • 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

Pre-requisite Courses

Auburn University equivalent courses are listed next to each requirement below.*

  • 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 (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)

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 prior to matriculation is required. 

Recommended additional coursework

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)

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.

*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. It may take up to two weeks to get a response. For transfer and all other DPT admissions related inquiries, please email us at dpt@auburn.edu. 

Clinical Observation Hours

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.).

Letters of Recommendation

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.

Interview

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. 

Admissions Process Timeline

Important dates for the charter cohort of DPT students (2025-28): 

  • Aug. 24-Oct. 24, 2024: Complete application

  • December 2024: Students notified about interview status

  • February 2025: Invitation only in-person interviews begin

  • Summer 2025 (2nd 5 weeks): 1st cohort begins

Cost of Attendance

To determine the cost of Auburn's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, click here to use the calculate your tuition. For level, select Professional. For College or School, select "School of Kinesiology - Doctor of Physical Therapy." Information on Student Financial Aid is also available. For more financial information, go to Auburn's Current Students page and scroll to Money Matters. 

Timeline to Accreditation 2021: Inception – $2.5M MEF to Kinesiology funds the start of the AUPT Program 2023: Start – Hire of inaugural Program Director and Director for Clinical Education; Program Development Approval CAPTE, Start Renovation and construction in Kinesiology Building and Student Activities Center; Faculty searches fall 2023 2024: AFC – Application for Candidacy due May 1, 2024 (Site visit July 24 TBD); Faculty Hires for first 2 years; 60 Clinical sites; SACHSCOC Substantiative Change Submission; Admissions – fall 2024 2025: Charter Class – May 25 Charter class of 38 starts; Fall 2025 open admissions for cohort 2; fall 2025 searches for 3 faculty specialists 2027: Site-visit – Fall 2027 Initial accreditation self-study submission; fall 2027 CAPTE site visit 2028: Graduation – April 28 Initial 5-year accreditation; May 28 charter cohort graduates; July 28 National PT Board Exams
This website is updated regularly. Please bookmark this page and visit often for more information.
Last updated: 05/01/2024