Admissions

Freshmen Admissions | Undergraduate Transfer Admissions | Graduate Admissions

Freshmen Admissions

The required high school course of study for freshmen admission includes:

Four years of English and mathematics (pre-calculus or calculus preferred);
Three years of social studies;
Three years of science with laboratories (four years including physics preferred);
Three years of a foreign language.

At Nazareth, scores from the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) are optional. The scores will be considered when submitted.

Admissions Criteria:

Completion of a college preparatory program including those courses listed above.
High school academic average of 85% or better.
Rank in the top 25% of high school class.
Final science and mathematics averages of 85% or better including final examinations.
High level of motivation, demonstrated leadership and community service.
A General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with an acceptable score will be used for admission.

To complete the Physical Therapy Program, students are required to provide verification of 40 hours of clinical observation of at least two different physical therapies in a minimum of two separate facilities. A minimum of ten hours must be completed prior to entering the program's first year of study.

Please note: Upon notification of admission, all students are provided with a document titled "Essential Functions for Physical Therapy Program." This document lists all skills necessary for completion of the Physical Therapy Program. Upon review, if a student is unable to perform any of these, the student must contact the Nazareth College Office for Students with Disabilities to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Candidates submit a completed undergraduate application form by February 15th. Letters of recommendation and supporting material that the applicant may wish to forward will be given due consideration. Counselor recommendation is required. The decision for admission of freshmen to the Physical Therapy Program is determined by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. The applicant is informed in writing of the admissions decision.

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Undergraduate Transfer Admissions

Although the admissions process is designed to admit freshmen, students may also transfer into the Physical Therapy Program upon approval of the Chairperson of Physical Therapy. Decisions regarding admission of transfer students are determined by: (1) application materials, including previous academic achievement at the college level, (2) an interview, and (3) availability of space in the class to which application is made. The admission of transfer students is considered on a rolling basis.

Admissions Criteria:

Applicants are expected to meet the same high school as students admitted as freshmen. (Please refer to the information as outlined in the Freshmen Admissions section of this site.)
Grade point average of 3.0 in all college work completed at a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum 2.5 average in prerequisite science courses.
Candidates who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work must submit a high school transcript.

Special Note for Undergraduate Transfers:

If a transfer applicant has completed more than 30 college credits, it it unlikely the applicant can complete the pre-professional phase in the typical number of semesters. A complete transcript evaluation of previously earned college credit is completed as part of the admissions process.

The evaluation includes reviews of undergraduate credits to meet necessary prerequisites (e.g. science), preprofessional physical therapy requirements, and Nazareth College core curriculum requirements. Transfer students will be informed at the time of admission about the time frame and credit hours expected for completion of the program.

Information regarding specific Physical Therapy Program requirements can be obtained in college application materials from the Office of Admissions, the Physical Therapy Department Handbook, and through consultation with Physical Therapy Department faculty members.

The Office of Admissions, in consultation with the Program Chairperson, make the decision regarding admission of transfer students. Applicant qualifications as well as space in the progam are considerations for admission of transfer students. The applicant is informed in writing of the admissions decision.

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Graduate Admissions

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree may be admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Decisions regarding admission of graduate students are determined by: (1) application materials, including previous academic achievement at the college level, (2) an interview, and (3) availability of space in the class to which application is made. Application materials are due by January 15th for consideration of admissions in May of each year.

Admissions Criteria:

Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative index of 2.75 and a 3.0 in the major field. Please note: while the minimum required cumulative index is 2.75, in most cases graduate level students enter this program with a 3.0 or above.
Two recent letters of recommendation specifying the applicant's ability to do graduate level work, and commitment to the field of physical therapy.
Completion of on-line application through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at: http://www.ptcas.org/
An Interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Physical Therapy Department.

Prerequisite Course Work:

In addition to the completion of the B.S. degree, the following courses or equivalents are required prerequisites:

8 Credits of Anatomy and Physiology (includes laboratory)

8 credits of Chemistry (includes laboratory)

8 Credits of Physics (includes laboratory)

3 credits of Statistics (psychology-based)

Information regarding specific Physical Therapy Program requirements can be obtained in college application materials obtained through the Office of Graduate Student Services, the Physical Therapy Department Handbook, and through consultation with Physical Therapy Department faculty members.

The Admissions Committee of the Physical Therapy Department makes recommendations regarding admissions to the Vice President of Graduate Studies. The applicant is informed in writing of the admissions decision.