The
Degree | The
Profession | Requirements
| Admissions
| Financial
Aid | Housing
About the
Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Duke
University:
Where can I obtain
information on the DPT program?
Our website contains the most recent information, but you
may contact us with individual questions via email at dptadmissions@mc.duke.edu
Back to
top What is the
history of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
Our website includes the history of Duke’s Doctor of
Physical Therapy program. Physical therapy education at Duke
began in the 1940s with a certificate program. The program
changed to an entry-level master’s degree in the early 1970s.
We graduated our first three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy
class in 2002.
Back to
top Does the Duke
DPT program offer areas of specialty?
The Duke DPT is a general degree which covers all basic
aspects of physical therapy; we do not offer specialties,
although there is opportunity for emphasis in an area through
your choice of electives, clinical affiliations, and scholarly
project.
Back to
top Is the program
a Master or Doctoral degree?
Duke University no longer offers a Master’s degree in
Physical Therapy. We now offer an entry-level Doctor of
Physical Therapy degree; this is appropriate for applicants
who are not already physical therapists.
Back to
top How long is
the program?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program lasts three years.
The first year begins in late August and the third year ends
in mid-May.
Back to
top Are there
research opportunities within the DPT program?
Students are required to complete a scholarly project as
part of the curriculum. Please refer to the series of three
Evidence-Based Practice courses.
Back to
top How much does
the program cost?
For the 2006-2007 academic year, the cost of tuition has been set at $24,926.
We anticipate an approximately 5% increase in annual
tuition expenses. Contact Financial Aid via email at
Financial_Aid@mc.duke.edu
for updates and/or changes.
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About the
Profession of Physical Therapy:
What is the history of
the Doctor of Physical Therapy program?
General information about the DPT degree may be obtained
from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website
at http://www.apta.org/.
Back to
top What is the
expected salary for a Physical Therapist?
Salaries for physical therapists vary according to factors
such as geographical location, type of practice, and years of
experience. Projected salaries may be found at http://www.salary.com/.
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About the Duke
DPT Program Admission Requirements:
What degree do I need to
enter the DPT Program?
To be considered for the DPT Program, verification of a
Bachelors’ (BA/BS) degree is required.
Back to
top What is the
mean grade point average (GPA) for entering students?
The grade point average of entering students is typically
between 3.4 and 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. We also separately
calculate Natural Science grade point averages (basic
biologies, physics, and chemistry courses); these are
typically as high or higher than the overall GPA for entering
students.
Back to
top What grade
point average is required to be accepted to the Duke DPT
program
Acceptance is on a competitive basis; the Admissions
Committee reviews all aspects of the application, such as
overall GPA, Natural Science GPA, GRE scores, references,
etc., when making an admissions decision.
Back to
top What
prerequisites are required to enter the program?
In general, we require 12 semester credits in biology, six
in (6) chemistry, six (6) in physics, three (3) in statistics,
six (6) in psychology, and nine (9) in social science and
humanities. Detailed information on specific prerequisites is
found elsewhere on this website.
Back to
top What are the
required GRE test scores to get into your program?
We do not have a specific requirement for GRE score.
Acceptance is on a competitive basis; the Admissions Committee
reviews all aspects of the application when making an
admissions decision. In the past four (4) years, the
approximate mean score for accepted students for the verbal
portion of the GRE has ranged from 470 to 545; the mean for
the quantitative portion ranged from 620 to 660; and the mean
for the analytical portion ranged from 630 to 670.
Back to
top Is North
Carolina residency required for this program?
Duke University is a private institution; there is no
residency requirement. Geographic location has no influence on
acceptance. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state
residents.
Back to
top When do
prerequisites need to be completed?
You may apply to Duke’s program before all prerequisites
are completed; however, you need to complete most of the
natural science prerequisites before applying so the
Admissions Committee may evaluate your preparation level for
the basic science courses in our curriculum. Documentation of
all prerequisite coursework must be received and verified
(completed with a grade of "C" or above) before fall classes
begin.
Back to
top If I have had
a similar course, may I substitute it for a prerequisite?
If you have successfully completed a course similar to, but
with a different title than, the prerequisite requirement, you
may submit the course description and detailed outline of
topics covered in the course for our Admissions Committee to
review.
Back to
top Do Advanced
Placement (AP) courses taken in high school count toward
course requirements?
Yes. We currently accept AP courses for prerequisite
requirements if your undergraduate institution accepted those
same credits toward your bachelors’ degree.
Back to
top Do I have to
take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE)?
All applicants must have taken the GRE within the past five
(5) years. Please request that scores are sent specifically to
our DPT Division (Institution & Department Code 5156) - if
scores are directed to Duke University in any other manner, we
will not receive them! The GRE is not required for applicants
with verified PhD degrees.
Back to
top I took the GRE
a few years ago. Will you still accept my scores?
The GRE must have been taken within the past five (5)
years.
Back to
top I've taken the
GRE multiple times with multiple results. Which score will you
use?
We will use the highest score earned in each section of the
GRE, regardless of when that score was received. For example,
if your verbal test score was higher the first time, we will
use that score rather than your most recent verbal result.
(Both tests must have been taken within the past five years.)
Back to
top How many hours
of experience do I need?
Experience in a Physical Therapy setting is required, but there
is no specific number of hours required. We prefer experience in a
variety of types of clinical settings (for example: inpatient hospital
settings, rehabilitaiton facilities, and outpatient clinics) so that
the applicant will have a well-rounded perception of the physical
therapy profession.
Back to
top Is there a
time limit on being out of school with a degree before
returning?
There is no specific time limit other than the following:
- The GRE must have been taken within the past five (5)
years.
- Human Anatomy & Human Physiology must have been
taken within the past five (5) years.
Again, all applicants will be evaluated on an individual
basis.
Back to
top I have been
out of school for five (5) years with a Bachelor of Science
degree. Am I eligible to apply for your program?
All interested persons are encouraged to apply to our
program. We do value life experience in physical therapy
applicants.
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About the
Admissions Process:
What is the process of
being accepted into your program?
The admissions process involves submitting a completed
application (preferably online), mailing all required
documentation, and paying the application fee of $75.00. Upon
evaluating these materials, the Admissions Committee may offer
the applicant an interview. Following the interview, the
Admissions Committee may offer the applicant acceptance into
the Duke DPT program.
Back to
top How do I
submit an application?
We prefer that you apply online. Please visit http://dukehealth1.org/dpt/application.asp
to complete and submit your application. You may work on the
application over multiple sessions before ultimately
submitting it to us.
Back to
top How do my
references submit recommendation letters online?
The online application allows you to either:
- Print a copy of the recommendation form and have your
references mail the form to us, or
- List your references’ contact information and follow the
detailed instructions on the online application to allow
your references to submit your recommendation
electronically.
Back to
top Can I make
changes after I've submitted my online application?
Once your application is submitted, changes cannot be made
online. If you have new or additional information to submit,
contact the DPT Division Admissions Secretary immediately.
Back to
top Do you recruit
minorities?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Division is committed to
recruiting and matriculating minority students for a career in
Physical Therapy. We are committed to multicultural diversity
in the program.
Back to
top Do minorities
have preference over the general population?
All applicants are expected to meet the same admissions
requirements. Each applicant is evaluated on an individual
basis.
Back to
top What are my
chances of being accepted into the DPT program?
We accept approximately 50 students into each class.
Approximately 180 students applied to our program last year.
We strongly encourage everyone who is interested in a physical
therapy career to apply.
Back to
top Do you accept
transfer students?
Up to this point we have not accepted transfer students
from other PT programs. However, if a student wished to
transfer, the Admissions Committee would review the student’s
completed coursework for equivalency to courses in our
program. The student would still need to complete an
application and meet our program prerequisites.
Back to
top Do you have a
part-time curriculum?
The DPT curriculum is a three (3) year full-time
commitment. We do not currently offer a part-time option.
Back to
top Does the DPT
program offer night classes?
We do not offer a "night class" option. Most coursework
takes place during the day, but a few classes may be scheduled
in the evening.
Back to
top What is the
male/female ratio of the current class?
Over the past three (3) years, approximately 1/3 of the
class has been male and 2/3 female. Ratios vary from year to
year.
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top
About Financial
Aid:
Is Financial Aid
available for the program?
The DPT Division offers a scholarship of up to $7,500, for
which accepted applicants may apply. Financial Aid, in the
form of low-interest loans, is available to qualified
applicants. International students do not qualify for these
loans. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (919)
684-6649 or email Financial_Aid@mc.duke.edu
for more specific information.
Back to
top How do I apply
for Financial Aid?
During the DPT interview process, applicants meet with a
Financial Aid officer to discuss specific financial aid
options. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (919)
684-6649 or email Financial_Aid@mc.duke.edu
for more specific information.
Back to
top
Housing/The
Durham Area:
Is on-campus housing
available at Duke?
On-campus housing is available for married or single
students on Central Campus. Most DPT students live in local
apartment complexes. Additional information about on-campus
housing is available online at http://rlhs.studentaffairs.duke.edu/.
Information regarding off-campus housing may be found online
at http://www.apartments.com/.
Back to
top What is the
Durham Area like?
Durham is a fairly small town, part of the metropolitan
"Triangle" area encompassing Chapel Hill and Raleigh.
Information on the area may be found online at http://www.durhamchamber.org/.
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