Effective October 31, 2023, the Hofstra University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706- 3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If you need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 516-463-5185 or email Yasser.Salem@hofstra.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT website). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 516-463-5185 or email yasser.salem@hofstra.edu.

The program has a comprehensive curriculum reflective of contemporary practice and standards of practice.  The curriculum reflects the educational process for future physical therapists and the necessary characteristics physical therapists must have as they enter the profession.  The curriculum incorporates a sequential development of knowledge, from concrete to abstract and simple to complex.  This development occurs within individual courses and throughout the curriculum.  The curriculum begins with basic science and foundational courses and progresses to practical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving.  Clinical skills are integrated from the first semester and throughout the curriculum.  Alongside the didactic courses, students participate in clinical internships.  These courses allow students to participate in clinical practice and hands-on experiences early in the curriculum, emphasizing clinical education across the curriculum.  Professional development and leadership skills are integrated throughout the curriculum.

Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) is selective and competitive. The admissions process is designed in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or handicap. To be eligible for admission, students must meet all program requirements. All enrollees must meet the Health and Technical Standards for the Program.

All admission applications must be submitted through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Services (PTCAS).

Applications are accepted annually, starting in July, and admission decision will be made on a rolling basis. Application materials must be submitted to PTCAS by March 15th. The prerequisite coursework and all admission requirements must be completed by prospective students and verified by the program prior matriculation.  

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution must be awarded prior to matriculation into the program.

Application for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Undergraduate degrees must be conferred, and final official transcripts must be received at least one month prior to the start of the program.
• A cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). *
• Completion of all required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each course. An overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is preferred for required prerequisite coursework.
• Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores completed no more than five years prior to the application.  No minimum score is required.
• A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation, one (1) from academic faculty and one (1) from a licensed physical therapist.
• Successful performance on an admissions interview.  Note: Interviews are required and will be offered to the most qualified applicants.
• Documentation of a minimum of 50 observation hours in two different physical therapy clinical settings (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, acute care, school-based, home health) or different patient population (e.g., general PT clinic, pediatrics, sports, neurological conditions). In any single setting, a minimum of 20 hours is required.   
• International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of:
  • Internet-based test: 80
  • Computer-based test: 213
  • Paper-based test: 550

*Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may still be considered under certain circumstances.

To assure that students have the foundational content knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete the curriculum, the Program requires the following prerequisite coursework, completed within the past ten (10) years:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab – 6 credits minimum; OR Human Anatomy with Lab (3 credits minimum) and Human Physiology with lab (3 credits minimum)
• Physics with Lab – 6 credits minimum
• Biology with Lab – 3 credits minimum
• Chemistry with Lab – 3 credits minimum
• Psychology– 3 credits minimum
• Statistics – 2 credits minimum

The Program requires the prerequisite coursework to be completed with a grade of "C" or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). A single course cannot be used simultaneously to meet more than one prerequisite requirement. The minimum prerequisite coursework cannot be waived and must be completed from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university prior to matriculation into the Program.

A personal statement is required. Each application must complete a personal essay that should include a rationale for interest in the field of physical therapy, and may include personality traits, career goals, and/or specific experiences that have influenced the applicant's decision to pursue a career in physical therapy.

A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation are required, one (1) from academic faculty and one (1) from a licensed physical therapist. The letters are required for the application to be complete. References must be completed and submitted by a non-relative.

Initial review of applications is designed to validate that the minimum admission requirements have been met and the applicant is eligible for Program admission. Application screening is conducted by the Program Admissions Committee using criteria approved by the Program faculty. The Graduate Admissions Office will help determine the initial eligibility of the candidates.

Admission to the DPT Program requires an interview, which is granted based on a competitive selection process. Interviews take place in person on campus, except for circumstances approved by the Program Director and Chair of the Admission Committee. The purpose of interviews is to assess applicants' interpersonal and communication skills, as well as their motivation for pursuing a career in physical therapy. The Admission Committee considers various criteria, including academic and personal accomplishments, to select the strongest candidates for interviews. While meeting the program requirements is necessary, it does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.

The following courses must be fulfilled with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Students must meet the requirements listed in the catalog at the time of the student's entry into the program and those listed below:

1. Completion of all program requirements.
2. Earned a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate coursework.