Physical Therapy

The doctor of physical therapy program provides quality graduate education committed to developing generalist practitioners who are reflective practitioners, who think critically, and use best evidence to effectively solve problems; compassionate practitioners, who demonstrate excellence in communication and interpersonal skills,a respect for individual and cultural differences, and the core values of the profession; and dedicated practitioners who value the tenets of lifelong learning.

The curriculum consists of 109 credits of professional course work requiring thirty-three months of full-time study beginning in the fall semester. It combines content from the foundational sciences, behavioral sciences, clinical sciences, professional practice expectations, practice management expectations, and critical inquiry. Students develop the skills needed to examine, evaluate, diagnose, prognose, develop a plan of care, and implement and re-evaluate that plan of care for patients with dysfunction in the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromotor, and integumentary systems across the lifespan.

The curriculum is built on the overarching principles of integration and application. Information is integrated and applied through a series of integrative units using “standardized patients” and simulation experiences. Clinical experiences are introduced early in the curriculum in the second and fourth semesters. Three full-time clinical internships occur in semesters six, seven, and eight for a total of 34 weeks of full time clinical experience. Internships are located regionally, nationally, and internationally providing depth and breadth to each student's unique educational experience.

1. Completion of a Bachelor's Degree

The program invites applications from candidates who have, or will have received by the time of enrollment, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts must demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to matriculation into the program.

2. Prerequisite Coursework

The following courses must be academic, college-level course work completed at a regionally accredited institution and earned with a C or better (C- grades and lower do not apply)

• Anatomy and Physiology (two semester sequence, or one semester of each; human focus preferred)
• Biology (two semesters, lab recommended)
• Chemistry (two semesters with lab)
• English (two semesters: one composition, one literature, or one writing intensive)
• Physics (two semesters with lab)
• Psychology (two semesters: must include psychology beyond the introductory level)
• Statistics (one semester; mathematical focus preferred)

All science courses must be for science/health science majors.

3. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The GRE is required for all applicants and should have been completed within the last five years. Official GRE score reports must be received by the application deadline for an application to be considered for admission. The institution code for GW is 5246. This code submits your scores directly to GW. PTCAS does not track receipt of official scores on behalf of GW.

4. Statement of Purpose

In addition to your PTCAS essay addressing your interest in physical therapy, please include a statement of purpose on your GW Application describing your reasons for undertaking your studies specifically at The George Washington University Physical Therapy program.

5. Official Transcripts

Please submit an official transcript from every college and university you attended, whether or not a degree was earned, directly to PTCAS.

All non-U.S. transcripts (including those in English) must be evaluated by World Education Services and submitted directly to PTCAS. 

6. Recommendations

Two recommendations are required and must be submitted through PTCAS.  Please do not submit additional recommendations on the GW supplemental application. One letter of recommendation must be from a physical therapist. Recommendations are not acceptable from family members and friends.

Additional letters of recommendation are preferred/encouraged from:

• Individuals who served in a supervisory capacity for you and who can strongly attest to your work ethic, and/or
• Academic instructors who can strongly attest to your academic ability

7. English Language Test

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are required to submit official test scores for either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearsons Test of English (PTE) Academic, or the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The following are the minimum scores for admission consideration:

• TOEFL: 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based
• PTE: overall score of 68
• IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0, with no individual band score below 6.0

TOEFL code: 5246

International applicants who meet the following conditions may be considered for admission without submitting TOEFL, PTE or IELTS or scores:

• They are a citizen of countries where English is the official language (as identified by GW ISO list of Exempt countries) OR
• They hold at least a bachelor degree from a country where English is the official language as well as language of instruction OR
• They hold at least a bachelor degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency