The School of Physical Therapy annually admits 60 students to the professional entry level Doctorate (DPT), who begin study in August each year.
Application to Belmont's DPT program is completed exclusively through PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service). Additional information about applying to Belmont can be found on the APTA website. Please also be sure to acknowledge application deadline dates in the section above.
Complete the PTCAS application and submit supporting credentials as instructed at www.ptcas.org. This includes results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The code for the School of Physical Therapy at Belmont University with the GRE is 7589. More information is available at the GRE website.
Only the most academically competitive candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview with a faculty member.
1) Candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (degree in any field) or be in the senior year of undergraduate study. A completed bachelor's degree is required by June 1 prior to enrollment, as evidenced by a final official college/university transcript. A minimum overall grade point average (for both undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate study) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale is required. The chart below provides the typical range of GPA's achieved by applicants who were admitted to our DPT program in recent years.
Admitted Students
GPA Range
2) Candidates must achieve a minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, and have no prerequisite courses with a grade less than a “C.” All prerequisite courses must have been completed within ten years prior to application, and no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
Required prerequisites include:
Candidates are expected to have no more than two prerequisite courses remaining to be taken in the spring semester after they apply.
3) Candidates must achieve competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years. The GRE code for Belmont's DPT is 7589.
There will be no waiver of the GRE requirement because of COVID-19. Candidates who have not yet registered for the GRE are directed to investigate the at-home test option offered by ETS this summer with more information at https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/.
The chart below provides the typical range of scores achieved by applicants who were admitted to our DPT program in recent years.
Admitted Students
Score Range
GRE Verbal Score
GRE Quantitative Score
GRE Verbal & Quantitative Total
GRE Analytical Score
4) Candidates must demonstrate familiarity with physical therapy in the form of a minimum of 50 hours of observational, volunteer and/or work experience in physical therapy prior to paying an enrollment deposit. Observation hours may be completed after the application is submitted.*
5) At least one of the two recommendations required for application (through PTCAS) must be from a healthcare provider, preferably a licensed physical therapist.*
*Belmont is aware that these standards may be a challenge to complete in the midst of COVID-19. If you have encountered such a challenge, please contact our admissions office at 615-460-6798 to discuss your options.
Course
Subject
Course
Level
Lab
Required
Hours
Acceptable
Courses
Course
Description
General or College
A&P: SEPARATE courses
A&P: Advanced
A&P: Animal
A&P: Comparative
A&P: Human
A&P: Mammalian
A&P: Neuroanatomy
A&P: Vertebrate.
A study of the cells and tissues as well as the skeletal, muscular, neural and special sensory systems of the human body.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
General or College
A&P: Advanced
Biology: Advanced
Biology: Cell
Biology: Embryology
Biology: General
Biology: General I
Biology: General II
Biology: Genetics
Biology: Histology
Biology: Immunology
Biology: Microbiology
Biology: Molecular
Biology: Zoology.
An introductory study of molecular and cellular biology. Topics include the molecular basis of cellular processes, structure and physiology of cells, molecular and Mendelian genetics, and microevolution.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
General or College
A&P: Advanced
Biology: Advanced
Biology: Cell
Biology: Embryology
Biology: General II
Biology: Genetics
Biology: Histology
Biology: Immunology
Biology: Microbiology
Biology: Molecular
Biology: Zoology
..
An introductory study of macroevolution, organismal biology and ecology. Topics include the structure and physiology of plants, the structure and physiology of animals, biodiversity and ecological systems.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
..
General or College
Chemistry I
Chemistry: Advanced
Chemistry: Biochem
Chemistry: Inorganic
Chemistry: Organic
..
Fundamental concepts and principles are emphasized. Emphasis is placed on structure, nomenclature, oxidation numbers and the mole concept.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
General or College
Chemistry II
Chemistry: Advanced
Chemistry: Biochem
Chemistry: Inorganic
Chemistry: Organic
..
Includes solutions, behavior of electrolytes, ionic and molecular equilibria and nuclear chemistry, as well as a brief introduction to the chemistry of carbon and its compounds.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
General or College
Physics I
..
(Algebra or Calculus-based)
One year sequence in Physics required (2 semesters or 3 quarters).
General or College
Physics II
..
(Algebra or Calculus-based)
One year sequence in Physics required (2 semesters or 3 quarters).
General or College
A&P: SEPARATE courses
A&P: Advanced
A&P: Exercise Physiol
A&P: Animal
A&P: Comparative
A&P: Human
A&P: Mammalian
A&P: Neurophysiol
A&P: Pathophysiol
A&P: Physiology
A&P: Vertebrate.
A study of the endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal and reproductive systems of the human body.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
Ethics
Psychology: Any
Social/Behavioral
Science: Any
..
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
1 of 2 social/behavioral science courses required.
Ethics
Psychology: Any
Social/Behavioral
Science: Any
..
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
2 of 2 social/behavioral science courses required.
Biostatistics
Business Statistics
Math Statistics
Psychology Statistics
..
An introduction to statistical reasoning. Topics include descriptive measures, elementary probability distributions, sampling distributions, one and two sample inferences on means and proportions, simple linear regression, and correlation.
Please note - no course may be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite.
..
The School of Physical Therapy launched the Fall 2025 application on June 15, 2024, on PTCAS. We will fill our 60-person cohort as we progress through a series of interview days that start in September. Our final interview day is typically hosted in February. In cases where there is still availability in the cohort or on the waitlist following this event, the program will continue to interview candidates on an individual basis through June. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to have the best chance of admission consideration. We cannot guarantee interview opportunities for every candidate, but we do our best to consider as many applicants as possible throughout our application cycle. We will commit to being as transparent as possible on our website and in our communications about the status of our incoming cohort.
Early Decision is available to applicants whose first choice is Belmont University if accepted for admission and who submit/complete their application by the August deadline. The entering class may be filled by candidates who apply and are admitted for Early Decision. If not accepted for Early Decision by late September, applicants should then apply to other programs. While PTCAS has phased out the Early Decision option, Belmont's School of Physical Therapy continues to offer this opportunity for candidates who have a strong interest in attending Belmont during the Early Decision period.
December 1, 2024 - Recommended application submission deadline for admission consideration. Applicants who apply after this date will most likely be considered for an interview as space is available, and will most likely be interviewing for a place on our waitlist.
June 1, 2025 - Final Application Deadline (as space is available). The PTCAS application must be complete by this date, including official GRE scores, transcripts, and recommendations.
Mid-December – The PTCAS Academic Update opens. You cannot make edits to your coursework section until the AU window is open to you.
Mid-January – PTCAS Academic Update priority deadline to submit your updated courses and transcripts to PTCAS. PTCAS will continue to accept updated transcripts after the priority deadline date has passed and through mid-February.
Mid-February – The Academic Update closes. You cannot edit your courses after this date. PTCAS will no longer accept AU transcripts. If your AU transcripts will not be available from your college/university's registrar until after February 15, please contact the admissions office to receive instructions on submitting an unofficial grade report directly to Belmont University School of Physical Therapy. (Do NOT send unofficial transcripts or grade reports to PTCAS).
All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a "C" or higher through a regionally accredited institution before June 1, 2025. Final degree-conferred official transcripts must be sent to the Belmont University Admissions Office soon after this date. Accepted candidates who do not meet this deadline will forfeit their seats in the entering class.
Current tuition information is listed below. Typically, tuition and fees increase each year between 3 - 5% for each incoming class and are set by March 1 prior to each upcoming academic year.
We are pleased to offer a tuition freeze to students in our incoming PT classes! The tuition rate that students enter into Belmont's Physical Therapy program will continue throughout their three years of enrollment.
Current
Cost
PT Program
2024 Fall Semester
PT Program
2025 Spring Semester
PT Program
2024-25 Academic Year
* For students in the second and third years of the DPT program, this amount is divided equally between the spring and summer semesters to account for summer clinical rotations.
** Graduate Health Insurance Premium required for all full-time graduate students and may be waived with proof of qualifying eligible coverage.
To determine your eligibility for any financial aid, graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online and should be completed each year. Complete and return the FAFSA by the December 1 priority date.
Belmont will start the financial aid awarding process by February 1 each year. Please allow approximately four weeks to receive a response. Once all the forms are received, your file will be reviewed.
Five academic merit scholarships, each in the annual amount of $10,000, are awarded to selected incoming first year students on a competitive basis. These scholarships are renewable, contingent upon meeting the progression requirements of the PT program. No separate application is necessary for scholarships awarded by the School of Physical Therapy. When you submit an application to the PT program, your application is considered for a scholarship.
Dr. David Greathouse Scholarship
Awarded to a rising third year student who has demonstrated leadership, scholarship, service and exemplary clinical performance within the program.
Sara Pigg Walker Scholarship
Awarded to a rising third year student who has demonstrated leadership, scholarship, professionalism and exemplary clinical performance within the program.
Gail Bursch Clinical Education Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a third year student good academic standing who demonstrates professionalism. The scholarship was created to financially support physical therapy students for out of state or international clinical education experiences.
Dr. Michael Voight Emerging Leader in Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a third year student in good academic standing who demonstrates professionalism and promise as a leader in the area of Sports/Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. The scholarship was created to financially support physical therapy students for out of state or international clinical education experiences.