Requirements for admission

Minimum admission requirements

Please refer to the Northern Arizona University Program page on PTCAS.

Background Check Accordion Closed

• Applicants must have and maintain the statutory requirements that will be needed for licensure.  While requirements vary from state to state, the NAU DPT program requires that students meet background clearance requirements of the State of Arizona to permit their participation in clinical experiences in AZ as part of the program.
• Applicants must be able to obtain a LEVEL 1 Fingerprint Clearance card from the state of AZ. For more information, please review the Arizona Statute.
• A criminal background check may also be requested depending on clinical site requirements or probable cause.

Technical Standards Accordion Closed

Each student must be able to meet the technical standards found in the student handbook.

GPA Accordion Closed

An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to be considered for the program per the NAU Graduate College policy.

Only undergraduate level courses will be factored in to your GPA. Master’s and doctoral level courses are not considered.

(Please note PTCAS requires official transcripts from every college and university you have attended in order to process your application. Please review their transcript policy prior to applying.)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Accordion Closed

GRE test scores are still a part of the application process. ETS is temporarily providing an at home test; we will accept the scores from this format. Click this link to obtain information on the test.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. All candidates must take the general test and have their official scores sent using the code 7668 to PTCAS.

(Please note this code is different from that of the general university)

Official GRE scores must be posted in PTCAS. Scores must be submitted by October 1st and verified by October 31st of each application year. NAU utilizes the highest score achieved in each category for evaluating your application and when considering multiple GRE tests. The below minimums must be met or exceeded in order to be considered for admission. Exceptions are not granted and applicants are encouraged to retake the GRE until they achieve a qualifying score.

• Verbal Reasoning 149
• Quantitative Reasoning 146
• Analytical Writing 3.5

NAU Graduate College Application Accordion Closed

In addition to the PTCAS application you must also apply to the NAU Graduate College to be eligible for acceptance to the program. This application has the same deadline as the PTCAS application.  If you have questions about this application please contact the NAU Graduate College at Graduate@nau.edu or 928-523-4348.

Please note that no exceptions will be made for these requirements.

Course prerequisites

Courses listed below can be found in more detail in the NAU course catalog, under course prerequisites on our PTCAS page, and on our prerequisite advising form. The NAU DPT Program does not have an adviser. Please work with your current undergraduate adviser to plan for entering the NAU DPT program. If you have specific questions regarding a course meeting our prerequisite requirements please complete the Prerequisite Inquiry Form for our evaluation.

• You may have up to 3 required prerequisite courses outstanding when you apply to the program.
  • Outstanding courses refers to any course that will not appear on the official transcripts you are required to submit to PTCAS with your application.
• By the spring semester before beginning the program, you must complete the following course requirements and your bachelor’s degree must post.
  • You are required to submit official transcripts showing your posted degree to the NAU Graduate College before starting classes in the fall.
  • NAU does not require any specific major/minor for the undergraduate degree, just the required prerequisite courses.
• All prerequisites are required to have been completed within the last 10 years. An application in the Fall of 2021 can include coursework as far back as the Fall of 2011.
• All prerequisites must be completed at a 2 or 4 year regionally accredited institution.
  • Community college coursework is accepted.
    • Degrees and coursework from Pima Medical Institute are not accepted as they do not hold regional accreditation.
  • Online courses are accepted.
• AP courses that appear on your college/university transcript may be used to fulfill a DPT  prerequisite for NAU. Note that the AP course will not be used in calculating your prerequisite GPA.

One year of these courses required Accordion Closed

• laboratory and lecture-based anatomy and physiology courses
  NAU courses BIO 201, 202
• laboratory and lecture-based general chemistry
  NAU courses CHM 151, 151L, 152, 152L
• laboratory and lecture-based college level physics
  NAU courses PHY 111, 112

One semester of these courses required Accordion Closed

• general psychology
  NAU course PSY 101
• statistics
  NAU courses STA 270 or PSY 230 or EPS 525
• abnormal OR developmental psychology
  NAU courses PSY 240 OR PSY 215
• exercise physiology
  NAU course BIO 338, 338L
  • example of alternate option: EXS 125 – Introduction to Exercise Physiology
    • Glendale Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, Scottsdale Community College (also available online)

Quarter Hour Conversion Accordion Closed

Convert quarter credits to semester credits: Divide quarter credits by 1.5

Convert semester credits to quarter credits: Multiply semester credits by 1.5 (three academic quarters equal two academic semesters)

International Students Accordion Closed

The TOEFL is required for international students but is waived if you have earned a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. university or college. Please visit the NAU Graduate College international graduate admissions page for more information. We do not accept transfer credits from other programs.