Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) 3+3 Direct Admission

The pre-professional phase includes the freshman, sophomore and junior years at Carroll University. If students with direct admission status meet all progression standards after their junior year at the University, they transition directly into the professional phase of the DPT Program in the senior year.

During their freshman, sophomore and junior years at the University, direct admission students earn credits toward undergraduate degrees in existing Carroll majors which have a pre-physical therapy emphasis. Direct admission students earn their bachelor's degree at the end of the fourth year of study and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the end of the sixth year.

Recommended High School Coursework (grade of ‘C’ or better)

  • One year of biology
  • One year of chemistry
  • Three years of mathematics
  • Other suggested courses include physics, anatomy and physiology, calculus, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or early college credits

Application Process

  1. Apply to Carroll University
  2. List Physical Therapy as your major
  3. Submit the following items to complete the application process:
    • Official high school transcripts through the sixth semester
    • Senior class schedule (recommended)
  4. Indicate Early Action or Regular Decision on your application (see explanations below)
    • Be sure to provide your preferred email address for direct admission notifications.
    • Notification of general acceptance takes approximately 1–3 weeks and is done on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students accepted to Carroll who list Physical Therapy as their major are automatically considered for DPT direct admission.

Physical Therapy Early Action (EA) – Highly Suggested

  • EA acceptance offers will be made beginning November 1. Additional offers will go out in early December, January and February on a rolling basis. PT Campus Visit Days will be available to interested EA applicants in October and December.
  • Note: Selecting early action does NOT limit you from applying to other physical therapy programs or committing to Carroll.
  • To secure a direct admission seat, accepted EA students must submit a $400 deposit by March 1.
    • $200 for general admission (refundable through May 1) and $200 PT program deposit (non-refundable)

Physical Therapy Regular Decision (RD)

  • Starting in early March, RD acceptance offers will be made if seats are available.
  • To secure a direct admission seat, accepted RD students must submit a $400 deposit by May 1.
    • $200 for general admission (refundable through May 1) and $200 PT program deposit (non-refundable)

Accept Your Direct Admission Seat

Submit your intent to enroll and deposit to confirm your direct admission seat.

Review and submit the Direct Admission Intent to Enroll form, which will include Progression Standards.

Candidates offered direct admission after May 1 have 10 business days from the time of acceptance to submit their intent to enroll and $400 deposit

Timeline

October and December
Physical Therapy Visit Days - available to early action direct admission applicants.

November 1
Early action offers begin for those accepted to the university. Additional offers will be made on a monthly basis.

March 1
Deadline for accepted early action students to confirm their direct admission seat.
Regular decision offers begin (space permitting).

March – August
Additional direct admission acceptance offers continue as space permits.

Carroll University students with direct admission status must satisfy all DPT program prerequisite requirements by the end of spring semester of their junior year in order to advance into year one of the graduate program in their senior year.

Progression Standards

Please refer to the Carroll University catalog for details regarding progression standards for this program.

Panoramic View of campus