Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a Bachelor’s degree to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program?
No. The Physical Therapy program at Wayne State requires 90 credits prior to enrollment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. This is in response to the mission of Wayne State University to provide accessible quality graduate and professional education to the community. We require specific pre-requisite courses to ensure both a depth and breadth of education to prepare each student for the physical therapy curriculum and for excellence in physical therapy practice. Please see the list of pre-requisite courses.
Q: Do I need to take the GRE for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
No. The GRE is not required for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Q: How many volunteer hours do I need to apply for the program?
We do not require a specific number of volunteer hours or work in a physical therapy clinic. What we do recommend is that each student spend time in multiple physical therapy settings (either as a volunteer or as and employee) in order to understand the role of a physical therapist in health care. During the interview process you will be asked about the practice of physical therapy and we have found that students who have this type of experience are able to provide more comprehensive answers.
Q: How many students do you admit each year?
We admit 32 students each year. Students are admitted to the physical therapy program once each year. The application deadline is January 15th for students wishing to begin the program the following Fall Term.
Q: Can I be a part-time student in the Physical Therapy Program?
Most students attend the physical therapy program full time. However, the program can admit a limited number of students on a part-time basis. There are 3 professional years plus the final clinical internships. The courses in each professional year can be taken over the course of 2 academic years. However, the sequence of courses is determined by the faculty and all courses are offered during the day. Clinical education and clinical internship courses are only offered on a full time basis.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is competitive. There are very specific requirements for admission to the physical therapy program. Each student must have a minimum of 90 credit hours when they enroll in the physical therapy program, including specific course pre-requisites primarily in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and psychology. Pre-requisite science courses must be completed by the Fall Term prior to application to the program. A minimum of a 3.00 GPA (4 point scale) is required in the science pre-requisite courses and all pre-requisite courses. Qualified applicants are invited for an interview which consists of both a written and oral interview. Each applicant submits two letters of recommendation, a resume and a personal statement. Members of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee reviews all qualified applications.
Q: How do I apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
Students must apply to both the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program through the College and to the Graduate School.
Applications are due January 15th for enrollment the following Fall Term. All applicants should complete the online supplemental application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and submit the required documents, including official transcripts, to the Office of Enrollment Services, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 259 Mack Ave, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201.
Q: How will I know if my application has been received and is complete?
You will be contacted by the Office of Enrollment Services, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, approximately 4 weeks after the application deadline. You will be notified if your application has been received and if all documents have been received.
Q: I’ve heard that the Exercise Physiology 1 course fills up quickly. What can I do to prevent this from happening to me?
Enrollment into the Exercise Physiology 1 course is limited and usually fills up in the Winter Term The Exercise Physiology course, previously offered only in the Winter Term, is now also offered during the Fall Term.
Q: I attend another University. Do you accept transfer students into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
Yes, we do accept transfer students. Transfer students are required to complete the same pre-requisite courses that Wayne State students complete. You should use the online course equivalency tables (LINK) to identify the equivalent courses at your University. Not all Universities offer courses that are equivalent to the Wayne State courses. Consequently, you may have to take one or more courses at a different University to take a specific pre-requisite course. You can usually do this as a guest student. Or you may choose to transfer to Wayne State to complete your pre-requisite courses.
The College Office of Enrollment Services will also evaluate your transcripts from other colleges and universities relative to pre-requisite courses. You may contact them by phoning 313.577.1716 or by e-mailing copies of your transcripts to (E MAIL ADDRESS)
Q: How can I find out more information about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
There is an information meeting hosted by the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences the first Tuesday of each month (unless it falls on an official holiday). The meeting begins a 6:00 pm in the College Auditorium for all students interested in Pharmacy or the Health Sciences. After a brief overview, students break out into small groups based on their program of interest. A physical therapy faculty member is usually in attendance to answer questions.
Q: Does the “Good Neighbor” tuition policy apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program?
Yes, the “Good Neighbor” tuition policy does apply to students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Canadian students living in Ontario and Ohio students living in Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Williams counties pay resident tuition rather than non-resident tuition.
Q: How do graduates of the Wayne State Physical Therapy program do on the licensing exam, the National Physical Therapy Examination?
The ultimate pass rate for Wayne State Physical Therapy graduates is consistently 100%. The first-time pass rate is at or above the average for the State of Michigan and for the country.