Frequently Asked Questions

All applications occur through PTCAS.  You can begin the application process through the following link:  http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx

Average Undergraduate GPA:         3.2

Average prerequisite GPA:              3.2

Average verbal GRE:                      153

Average quantitative GRE:              153

Average analytical writing:              4.0

All applicants must complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation. There is no requirement for any specific degree. Current students hold degrees in Kinesiology, Biology, Sports Medicine, Athletic Training, Psychology, Performing Arts, Physiological Psychology, English, Business, and Chemistry.  Academic diversity creates a rich learning environment. All applicants must complete the required prerequisite courses.

No, state of origin is not considered in the application process.  Admitted students come from diverse national and international geographic locations.

When reviewing applications, the Master’s cumulative GPA will have a greater weight in the admissions evaluation than the cumulative GPA from the Institution that granted the Bachelor’s degree.  If an applicant’s cumulative UG GPA is less than the required 3.0 minimum, we recommend they earn a Master’s degree.

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No, the program is accredited to deliver the curriculum on a full-time basis. 

No, the program has a few hybrid courses but the curriculum is designed and accredited to be delivered in person.

Yes, you may defer admission for one admission cycle.  You must contact the Program Director for approval of the deferment.

Yes, if admitted, a $500.00 deposit is required to hold a place in the program.  The deposit is non-refundable.  It is applied to program expenses during the first semester of the program.

Mount Saint Mary’s University welcomes students of all faiths.  This is in keeping with the mission of the founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet – to serve all persons without distinction. 

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet were founded in Le Puy, France in 1650.  Six ordinary women joined forces to devote themselves to the needs of ordinary people.  They dedicated themselves to the "practice of all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy of which woman is capable and which will most benefit the dear neighbor." They were neither educated nor wealthy, but worked to support themselves by making lace and taught this skill to local women  living in destitution.

The Sisters currently “serve others in the United States, Japan and Peru. We do it in a manner that respects individuality and diversity, fostering the common good through parish service, adult education, spiritual direction and retreat work, direct service of the poor, and justice activities.  We find the strength from being in community, which allows us to share resources and skills. Learn what living in community means to us.”

http://csjla.org/

Students in the third year of the program are eligible to apply for teaching assistant positions in courses they have already completed.  Typically, these courses are Gross Anatomy, Patient/Client Management: Orthopedics, Health Care Procedures and Therapeutic Exercise. TAs are paid on an hourly basis for a maximum of 10 hours/week. TA application are reviewed by faculty in the DPT program.

Students in the second and third year of the program are eligible to apply for teaching assistant positions in the undergraduate biology laboratory courses.  The application process and TA selection occur through the Department of Biology. 

Class of 2019      93.5%

Class of 2020      90.6%

Class of 2021      93.9%

Ultimate Pass Rate - % of graduates passing licensure exam

Class of 2018      100%

Class of 2019      100%

Class of 2020      100%

Employment rate per alumni surveys - % employed (full-time or part-time) within one year following graduation:

Class of 2018      100%

Class of 2019      100%

Class of 2020      100%

Graduates are generalist practitioners and are licensed to practice in any setting that is appropriate for physical therapy services.  Some of the settings recent graduates practice in are: outpatient orthopedics, outpatient sports, outpatient neurorehabilitation, acute care, ICU, emergency department, wound care, women’s health, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, inpatient pediatrics, outpatient pediatrics, school-based pediatrics, geriatrics, wellness, vestibular rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy Observation Hours

The MSMU DPT program requires observation hours in outpatient and inpatient physical therapy. Our requirement is for 120 hours with 20 of these hours in inpatient physical therapy. Inpatient physical therapy hours can be obtained in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. We are temporarily waiving the requirement for inpatient physical therapy observation hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observation hours in inpatient physical therapy are not currently required.  However, if you have any experience in a hospital or skilled nursing facility please include that in your PTCAS application wherever appropriate.

Grades of CR or P

MSMU DPT program does not normally accept prerequisite courses for which grades of CR or P are assigned. We require all courses to have a letter grade. The letter grade must be a “C” or higher. If any applicant attended a University or College that assigned grades of CR/NC or P/F for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, or Fall 2020 to prerequisite courses, we will accept the prerequisite(s) as long as the grade is a CR or P.  

Online courses for required prerequisite labs

MSMU DPT program does not normally accept prerequisite courses for which the lab portion of a course is online. If an applicant attended a University or College that moved their instruction to online for Spring 2020 through Summer 2023 we will accept these prerequisite courses with online didactic and online labs.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine required?

Yes. Students, Faculty, and Staff are required to submit proof of full vaccination including the COVID-19 booster(s).