There are three potential pathways of entry into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at LMU with admission requirements listed below. Please note that the GRE is NOT required for admission via any pathway. Please contact us at DPTKnoxville@LMUnet.edu with any questions or concerns regarding prerequisites or admission criteria.
This pathway is appropriate for:
- High school seniors applying to LMU who would like to complete their BS in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science degree and DPT degree in six years.
LMU undergraduate admission criteria:
1. High school graduate with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
2. Minimum composite ACT score of 19 or SAT score of 1010.
Additionally, students who wish to pursue this pathway, must meet the following criteria for BS/DPT track admission:
Prior to admission into the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science major:
1. High school graduate with a science and math grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
2. Minimum math (21) and reading (23) ACT score or minimum SAT score of 1100
3. Three (3) years of science including Chemistry and Biology; One year of physics is strongly recommended
4. Three (3) years of college prep math (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra and/or trigonometry)
Prior to progression to the professional DPT phase:
1. Students will be required to answer a physical therapy focused writing prompt/personal statement
2. Two (2) character references from (choose 2 of the following):
Freshmen admitted as BS/DPT students will be granted conditional acceptance into the Professional phase of the DPT program upon satisfactory completion of the above requirements in addition to the degree requirements. Full acceptance ino the Professional Phase of the DPT program will be granted pending satisfactory completion of the Criteria for Progression to the Professional DPT Program.
More information regarding the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science degree path can be found here.
Students wishing to apply via this pathway will apply using the general LMU application link when applying as a high school senior.
- Any students interested in Pathway 1 who did not meet the entry criteria at the time of initial application & acceptance to LMU;
- LMU students who wish to change their major to Exercise and Rehabilitation Science; or
- Transfer students from other institutions into the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science major.
Students who wish to pursue this pathway, must meet the following criteria for admission:
1. Students must complete 45 observation/shadowing hours prior to entering the Professional phase of the program
a. 15 hours - inpatient hospital or sub-acute setting*
b. 15 hours - outpatient orthopedic setting
c. 15 hours - students’ choice of setting/experience
*Additional hours in outpatient setting may be accepted in place of other setting requirements depending on local, state, and/or national COVID guidelines and resulting restrictions.
2. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 in all LMU courses at the point of application with a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses.
3. Students may be required to take the ACT residual offered through College of Education (i.e. transfer students, students with earned associate degrees).
4. Interview with DPT faculty
5. Three (3) character references from:
a. Physical Therapist who can attest to professionalism
b. Academic professor or Academic Advisor
c. Additional academic professor, academic advisor OR supervisor/employer is acceptable
Students will apply for admissions using the paper application materials located under "Required Application Materials" within the "Application Process" tab to the left.
This pathway is appropriate for:
- Non-LMU students who have earned a Bachelor's degree from a 4-year institution;
- LMU students who pursue a major other than BS/DPT and have completed all prerequisite course work*
*These applicants are eligible for conditional acceptance pending completion of all prerequisite and bachelor's degree coursework. Students should have no more than 6 prerequisite credit hours pending at time of application.
Students who wish to pursue this pathway, must meet the following criteria for admission:
1. Minimum 2.8 overall GPA and a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses
Please refer to prerequisite courses
2. Interview with DPT faculty
3. Three (3) character references from the following:
a. Physical Therapist (required)
b. Academic professor and/or advisor (at least 1 is required)
c. An additional academic professor, academic advisor OR supervisor/employer is acceptable
4. Students must complete 45 observation/shadowing hours prior to entering the Professional phase of the program
a. 15 hours - inpatient hospital or sub-acute setting*
b. 15 hours - outpatient orthopedic setting
c. 15 hours - students’ choice of setting/experience
*Additional hours in outpatient setting may be accepted in place of other setting requirements depending on local, state, and/or national COVID guidelines and resulting restrictions.
5. Personal statement
Students will apply via the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
