The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program admits qualified students regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or disability that does not interfere with the performance of professional physical therapy practice as provided by law. Applications and credentials for admission to the physical therapy program must be submitted for processing to the Carroll University Office of Admission. As decisions are made on applications, applicants are notified through the Office of Admission.

Direct Admission:
During their freshman, sophomore and junior years at the University, direct admit students earn credits toward undergraduate degrees in existing Carroll majors which have a pre-physical therapy emphasis and participate in activities in the Physical Therapy Program. To advance into the professional phase of the program in their senior year, direct admission students must sa tisfy all of the following admission requirements below during their freshman, sophomore and junior years at the university.

Non-Direct Admit Student Option:
If a high school senior is not admitted directly to the physical therapy program as a freshman, or if a high school senior is uncertain that he/she wants to pursue an Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree another option is available. The individual will be able to apply, anytime during his/her junior year, for one of the slots in the professional phase of the program. For those Carroll University students planning to apply to the Physical Therapy Program following the completion of their undergraduate degree at minimum need to complete 60 credits at Carroll and earn a Carroll University bachelor's degree. Non direct admit applicants receive a calculated preference in consideration for Phase 1 admission.

Non-Traditional Student Option:
For students planning to apply to the Physical Therapy Program following the completion of their undergraduate degree at an outside institution, please refer to the Graduate catalog for the Non-Traditional Student requirements for admission.

Pre-Professional Admission Requirements: To proceed into the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the senior year, a Carroll University direct admit, non-direct admit/transfer, and nontraditional students must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. A college cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher during the freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Any Carroll undergraduate credit with an earned C, D, or F grade can be retaken at Carroll prior to the end of the direct admit student's spring semester junior year with the repeated course grade awarded used in the GPA calculations. Students may retake a maximum of one of the biology, chemistry, or physics pre-professional pre-requisite courses.
2. A minimum course grade of C is required in all pre-professional pre-requisite coursework.
3. A pre-professional (natural, behavioral, and social sciences) GPA of 3.0 or higher during the freshman, sophomore and junior years.
4. Completion of courses fulfilling Carroll's general education core, the majority of required and elective courses in the undergraduate major and pre-professional courses required by the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
5. Bachelor's degree to be awarded at the completion of the senior year, which is the first year of the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
6. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, writing and quantitative).
7. Participation in clinical experiences. A minimum of 75 hours of clinical experience is required averaging about 25 hours in 3 different types of physical therapy.
8. Participation in university or community service activities.
9. Submission of three letters of reference, one from a physical therapist, one from a university professor, and one that attests to the student's character.
10. Submission of essay and a complete application packet
11. Admission and progression standards are subject to change based on regulatory, licensing, and/or certification needs.

The academic progress of the direct and non-direct admit students is evaluated by the professional phase admissions committee during the direct admit or non-direct student's junior year. Under certain circumstances probational admission to the program is possible. Any direct admit student who withdraws from the program during his/her freshman, sophomore or junior year must inform the program director in writing and complete a new major, minor declaration form in the Registrar Office. If, for any reason, a direct admit student does not advance into the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program, career services and counseling through the Career Center and Walter Young Center is available.

Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Students (Phases I and II)
All entry-level Master of Physical Therapy degree program requirements must be completed by the student in 28 months unless permission is otherwise granted by the Director of the Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Satisfactory progress is contingent upon satisfying the following academic requirements:

12. A grade of C or better is required in all physical therapy courses. If a student earns a letter grade of D, F, or U in a physical therapy course, the student must repeat the course before progressing to subsequent courses for which the failed course is a prerequisite. If a student is unable to take further courses in the next occurring semester as a result of this policy, the student is placed on academic suspension and repeats the course during the next appropriate semester. A course may be repeated only one time. If a physical therapy course is being repeated, the student may be required to complete ancillary learning experiences which validate the theoretical knowledge base. These ancillary learning experiences must be completed in a satisfactory manner in conjunction with other course work in order to successfully complete the course. A student receiving a D, F, or U in the same physical therapy course twice will be dismissed from the program.
13. A student must obtain a grade point average of 3.00 or better each semester. If a student earns a semester grade point average between 2.00 to 2.99, he or she is placed on academic probation. To be removed from academic probation, the student must earn a grade point average of 3.00 or better in the following semester. If a clinical internship course is scheduled during the next semester, the student must earn an S in the clinical internship course and a semester grade point average of 3.00 or better in the semester following the clinical internship to be removed from academic probation. If a student is on academic probation the last semester of the program, the student must earn an S in the clinical internship course and a grade 3.00 or better in any concurrent courses. If a student fails to meet the criteria for removal from academic probation, he or she will be dismissed from the program. If a student is placed on academic probation a second time during his or her tenure in the program, he or she will be dismissed from the program. If a student earns a semester grade point average of 1.99 or less, he or she will be dismissed from the program.