Clarke University

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OPTIONS

Students can choose from a variety of undergraduate majors. It is essential for the student to work closely with his/her adviser to plan a program of study that meets the major, general education, and prerequisite requirements to qualify for the DPT program. Most undergraduate students who qualify will start the DPT program their senior year at Clarke University, and finish their undergraduate degree at the end of the first year of the DPT program.

 
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Approximately 40 students per year are admitted as first-year students to the pre-physical therapy cohort. Clarke University students who meet the admissions requirements will be given priority for the maximum of 30 openings in the DPT program.

NOTE:
Ordinarily, 20 students are accepted to Clarke University as first-year Pre-PT students in the “direct” admission pathway. These students may complete the application process to the professsional program through the Office of Graduate Studies at Clarke University. Letters of Intent signed and submitted prior to matriculation as first-year students will be used to document the direct admission pathway.

Students admitted to Clarke University as first-year Pre-PT students or transfers in the “standard” or “priorty” admission pathway or through any other program must complete the application process through PT Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) http://www.ptcas.org/.

THE DPT PROGRAM

The DPT program is limited to 30 students each year. Application must be completed by the date designated during the junior year. Preference is given to Clarke University students who are in the pre-physical therapy cohort, and to students who are part of articulation agreement with another institution who meet the priority admissions requirements. Clarke University students who meet the minimum requirements but do not meet the priority requirements will compete for admission with applicants from other institutions.

Clarke University undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing admission into the Clarke University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program who meet the minimum requirements below are eligible to apply to the program. The application process must be completed by the date designated during the junior year. Admission into the DPT program is competitive and will be granted to the most qualified candidates. Individuals who received their undergraduate education at another institution are encouraged to apply to the DPT program.

Any applicant who is part of a “3+3” program, including Clarke University and institutions with “3+3” articulation agreements, must demonstrate that he/she will earn his/her undergraduate degree (in a chosen undergraduate major) before the start of the 2nd year of the DPT program. Applicants from other institutions must either have their undergraduate degree completed, or demonstrate that they will complete their undergraduate degree prior to the start of the DPT program. These students must complete the application for the Clarke University DPT Program through PTCAS http://www.ptcas.org.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS

1. A completed graduate application form, available online at www.clarke.edu/graduate  
   
2. 3.0 Cumulative GPA, with no grades lower than a "C" as documented on official academic transcripts
   
3. 3.0 Prerequisite Science GPA in the following courses:
    
   • General University Biology – 4 hours including lab
   • University Chemistry 1 & 2 – 8 hours including lab
   • University Physics 1 & 2 – 8 hours including lab
   • Anatomy & Physiology– 8 total hours including lab
   • Psychology – 6 hour
      
4. No more than 4 courses repeated for credit. If retakes for prerequisite courses are warranted, they must be completed at Clarke University. Science courses repeated at other institutions must be approved by the physical therapy department at the time of matriculation to Clarke University or prior to enrollment.
    
5. A completed Student Log of Clinical Visits, documenting 75 hours of observation in at least three different settings, chosen from pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient acute/subacute care, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics and sports medicine.
    
6. A 1-2 page written response to the following question: Describe how your observational experiences have influenced your decision to pursue physical therapy as a career. Concentrate on the areas described in the Student Log of Clinical Visits.
    
7. Minimum score of 800 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
    
8. Three completed recommendation forms, at least two of which must be from undergraduate faculty and one which may be from a physical therapist whom the applicant has observed.
    
9. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 if English is not a first language.
    
10. Complete the prerequisite courses or their approved equivalent (listed below):  

PRIORITY ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR CLARKE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE PRE-PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS

Clarke University undergraduate students who meet all the following requirements will be given priority for admission into the DPT program. To be eligible for admission to the DPT program as a Clarke University undergraduate, the applicant must have finished 30 credit hours from Clarke University prior to matriculation in the DPT program.

1. A completed graduate application form, available online at www.clarke.edu/graduate. 
    
2. 3.3 Cumulative GPA with no grades lower than a C-
    
3. 3.3 GPA in Prerequisite Science courses*
     
   • BIOL 115 Fundamentals of Cell Biology/Genetics I *
   • BIOL 211 Anatomy and Physiology I *
   • BIOL 212 Anatomy and Physiology II *
   • CHEM 110 General Chemistry I *
   • CHEM 111 General Chemistry II *
   • PHYS 110 Elements of Physics I *
   • PHYS 111 Elements of Physics II *
   • PSYC 111 Introductory Psychology *
   • Another Psychology course *
   • In addition, the following courses are prerequisite for Clarke University undergraduates:
      
     • PT 101 Introduction to Physical Therapy (may be waived for transfer students with greater than 60 credit hours)
     • PHIL 212 General Ethics, or 225, Biomedical Ethics
     • MATH 117 Pre-Calculus (for Physics) or a 26+ on math portion of ACT
        
4. No more than 2 courses repeated for credit. If retakes for prerequisite courses are warranted, they must be completed at Clarke University. Science courses repeated at other institutions must be approved by the physical therapy department at the time of matriculation to Clarke University or prior to enrollment. 
    
5. Record of a minimum of 25 hours observing in at least three of the following areas: pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient acute/subacute care, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports medicine (Total of 75 hours). Clinical forms are available at www.clarke.edu/graduate 
    
6. A one- to two-page written response to the following question: Describe how your observational experiences have influenced your decision to pursue physical therapy as a career. Concentrate on the areas described in the Student Log of Clinical Visits.
    
7. Minimum score of 900 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
    
8. Three "highly recommend" recommendation forms, at least two of which must be from undergraduate faculty and one which may be from a physical therapist whom the applicant has observed.
    
9. First time applicant to the DPT program.
    
10. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 if English is not a first language.
     
11. The DPT admissions committee reserves the right to make justifiable exceptions to these requirements on a case-by-case basis.