Applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Requirements

1.Complete an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) AND A separate MUSC supplemental application through Enrollment Management at MUSC. 

2. Complete a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for consideration. Transcripts from ALL colleges attended must be submitted through PTCAS. *Clemson University students who are on the Accelerated Pathway track must provide signed verification of Clemson general education requirements validated by the Clemson Registrar’s Office by time of matriculation into MUSC. https://www.clemson.edu/academics/programs/musc/

3. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores through PTCAS. Applicants should strive for GRE scores in the 60th percentile or above on each section. We use the highest score on each section across all GRE test attempts so it usually benefits the applicant to take the test more than once. All official scores are to be received on or before the deadline in order to be considered. Our PTCAS GRE school code is 7338.

4. Complete a minimum of 40 hours of experience directly related to physical therapy and submit documentation via PTCAS. Clinical observation in physical therapy either as a volunteer or paid employee must also be with a minimum of two different patient populations. At least 10 observation hours are required with the second patient population.

5. Submit two references through PTCAS: one from a physical therapist who supervised you in the clinic and a second from a professor or advisor familiar with your academic ability and accomplishments or from an employer if you have been out of school for several years. No personal references will be accepted.

6. Complete all prerequisite courses. Applicants must complete a minimum of 31 out of 39 prerequisite credit hours prior to application. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation with a grade of 2.0 or higher.  A minimum average prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for consideration for the regular cycle. 

Prerequisite Courses Semester System (hrs) Quarter System (hrs)
Chemistry with labs* 8 12
Physics with labs* 8 12
Biology* 7 10
Human Anatomy with lab 4 6
Human Physiology 3 5
General Psychology 3 5
Abnormal Psychology 3 5
Statistics 3 5
TOTAL 39 60

Basic science courses identified with an *.

Prerequisite Special Notes:

For a guide of Frequently Approved Prerequisites, click here.

  • The Office of Enrollment Management is able to offer unofficial transcript evaluations from March 1st - June 30th.  Please call Enrollment Management at 843-792-2536 to speak with an admissions specialist or email at oesadmis@musc.edu.
  • Basic science courses must be courses for science majors. Basic science courses identified in chart above with an *.
  • Biology: Prerequisite courses must be offered through the Department of Biology or a Basic Science Department. In addition to Biology I and Biology II, acceptable courses include genetics, cell biology, zoology, human biology and disease and similar courses. Unacceptable courses include botany, exercise physiology taken in Exercise Science and Physical Education departments, and human physiology when used as the physiology prerequisite.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology including the labs: Anatomy and Physiology may be taken separately or may be combined and taken as two, four-hour courses. However, if you start a two-part course sequence, you must complete both parts (Anatomy and Physiology I & II). If only a 3-semester credit hour course in anatomy is offered, a comparative anatomy or kinesiology course is recommended in addition to the human anatomy course. Also, Vertebrate Anatomy is accepted if Human Anatomy is not offered. Exercise physiology will not meet the Human Physiology requirement.
  • Abnormal Psychology: This prerequisite is listed in PTCAS as Social/Behavioral Science. We can only accept an Abnormal Psychology course for this prerequisite. The abnormal psychology course must cover anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, sexual disorders, delusional disorder, substance abuse, somatoform and dissociative disorders.
  • Introductory Statistics: This course should include parametric and nonparametric statistics. 

7. Important CPR Information: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers and First Aid certification through the American Heart Association is required. Students have the option of completing the certifications no more than 45 days prior to the start of the program OR participating in certification classes scheduled by the program soon after classes begin.

8. Accepted students must be able to meet the Minimum Skills/Eligibility Requirements and sign a form indicating that they meet the minimum skills when they arrive on campus. View the Minimum Skills/Eligibility Requirements (PDF) (scroll to page 14).

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the submission of all materials prior to the deadline.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC’s code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Summer 2024 Regular July 1, 2023 October 3, 2023