Admission to the program is highly competitive and limited to 36 openings each year. Please visit the PTCAS website for more information and to apply.
Application Timeline
June 15: PTCAS opens
October 1: Priority Deadline for submission of application and supporting materials
December 1: Final Deadline for submission of application and supporting materials
January 1: Selected applicants are invited to interview
February 15: Interviews are completed
March 1: Initial offers made with a 2-week deadline to confirm acceptance
March 15 - July 1: Offers made as positions are available
July 15: Prerequisites, observation hours, and degree verification are due
Late August: Program start date
Admission Requirements
- PTCAS Application (opens June 15)
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation — Completed through PTCAS
- GRE General Test — Sent to PTCAS; University of the Pacific, DPT Program, PTCAS GRE Code = 0211. NOTE: the GRE must be taken at a testing center unless taken between Spring 2020 and Spring 2022.
- Official transcripts should be sent directly to PTCAS. Official transcripts need only be sent to University of the Pacific if admitted.
- International Applicants ONLY: TOEFL Exam or IELTS Exam
Important Notes About Applying
- Please plan ahead! Students who submit applications by October 1 will be given priority consideration for scheduling interviews. After submitting your application, please respond promptly to any information requests by PTCAS as they process it.
Timelines for Prerequisite Requirements
- To be completed at the time of application. Applicants not submitting official GRE scores may not be considered for a personal interview.
- GRE Analytical Writing score
- To be completed before the program starts. Applicants not completing these items before the program starts will not be permitted to enroll into the program (due by July 15 after acceptance).
- Bachelor's degree with a major of the student's choice
- All listed prerequisite courses
- Observation hours
Clinical Observation Hours
- At least 50 hours of observation in physical therapy practice settings are required, including at least 25 hours in acute care, in-hospital settings
- Sub-acute and any other non-acute care settings do not satisfy the requirement for acute care, in-hospital settings. The program encourages you to visit the APTA website for the definition of acute care and descriptions of that setting.
- Hours worked as an aide in a PT setting may be counted toward the required observation hours.
Personal Interview
- A personal interview at the invitation of the selection committee is required for admission.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- GRE test scores must be less than five years old.
- Official scores must be sent through PTCAS at the time of application (School Code: 0211).
General Requirements for Prerequisite Courses
- All prerequisite courses/labs must be completed at an accredited institution.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed IN PERSON, except for Medical Terminology which may be completed online.
- Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or above.
- All courses must have defined objectives, a course description, an objective grading system, and meet the program’s content expectations.
- Courses must be taken on a graded basis. Pass/fail courses are not acceptable.
- Biological science, chemistry, and physics courses must all include significant laboratory experiences.
- It is recommended that prerequisite courses in Biology, Exercise Physiology, Anatomy, and Physiology be taken within ten years of applying to the program.
- The program will NOT accept advanced placement (AP) courses to fulfill prerequisites.
General Prerequisites
- General Biology with lab and another course in Biological sciences (not botany) with or without lab: 6 semester credits/9 quarter hours minimum.
- Human Anatomy with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
- Human Physiology with Lab: 4 semester units/5 quarter hours minimum.
- General Chemistry with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
- General Physics with lab: 8 semester units/12 quarter hours minimum.
- Abnormal Psychology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
- Statistics: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
- Exercise Physiology: 3 semester units/4 quarter hours minimum.
- Medical Terminology: 1-3 semester units/ 2-4 quarter hours minimum.
→ View the Approved Prerequisite List
While every effort has been made to create an accurate list, it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the prerequisite requirements. Colleges and universities do re-organize, rename, add and remove courses, course information and hours so the information above may not be accurate or up-to-date. If an applicant has questions they can contact Admissions at ptadmissions@pacific.edu for clarifications or to see if another course may meet the requirement.
Policy on Transfer Credits
- The program will consider for expedited admission applicants who have previously completed part of a curriculum at another CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
- No prior academic or clinical coursework completed at another institution will be considered as transferable credits to satisfy the requirements of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Pacific.
- All prior academic and clinical coursework must have been completed at the level of “B-” or better. For clinical coursework, a passing grade is acceptable if letter grades are not applicable.
Pacific’s FAFSA school code is 001329.
Check out our FAQ page, attend an information session, call us at 209.946.2886 or email PTAdmissions@pacific.edu.
Applicants to Pacific's DPT program are strongly encouraged to attend an information session. Experience the campus and learn more about our DPT program. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about our program and admissions process.
