Doctor of Physical Therapy Admissions

SWAGÊÓƵ D.P.T. Admissions

This page is to provide you with complete Admissions information for the SWAGÊÓƵ's Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program in Portland, Maine. You can find additional information on our D.P.T. program here.

The faculty of the Physical Therapy program value students with diverse educational backgrounds and life experiences. Individuals with a bachelor's degree, in any major, from a regionally accredited institution, are encouraged to apply for admission, as are individuals with higher-level degrees in other areas.

Enrollment in the D.P.T. Program assumes certain essential cognitive, emotional, and technical skills. In addition to the academic admissions requirement, the Essential Technical Standards delineate the abilities and skills that candidates must possess to engage safely and competently in required learning activities.

Important Application Dates

  • For Program Starting: Summer 2025
  • All applicants must
  • PTCAS Application Portal for 2025 admission open date: June 2024
  • Priority Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
  • Final Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Application Process

  • All applications are reviewed holistically using a applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis and as long as seats are available.
  • Although in-person interviews are not required, qualified applicants will be invited to complete and submit a short virtual assessment via Kira Talent. Invitations to interview will be sent to qualified applicants via email.
  • SWAGÊÓƵ communicates all status updates, notifications, and admission decisions via email.

For specific academic dates, please view the SWAGÊÓƵ Academic Calendar.

Admissions Events

Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Application

The SWAGÊÓƵ Department of Physical Therapy participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Degree Requirement

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, before matriculation.

  • All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please refer to the application for additional information and instructions.
GPA Requirement
  • SWAGÊÓƵ has a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0 for both overall and prerequisite coursework. Candidates with an overall GPA or prerequisite GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may still apply. Applications are reviewed holistically, and applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis.
Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Course SubjectCourse DetailCourse Credits
BiologyGeneral Biology I and II w/labs8 semester or 12 quarter credits
ChemistryGeneral Chemistry I and II w/labs8 semester or 12 quarter credits
Anatomy and Physiology I or Human AnatomyLab required4 semester or 6 quarter credits
Anatomy and Physiology II or Human PhysiologyLab required4 semester or 6 quarter credits
Physics (algebra or calculus-based is acceptable)General Physics I and II w/labs8 semester or 12 quarter credits
PsychologyGeneral Psychology3 semester or 4-5 quarter credits
StatisticsCollege-level Statistics3 semester or 4-5 quarter credits
Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Considerations
  • All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of C or better (C- grades are not acceptable).
  • There is a strong preference that all science and statistics prerequisites be completed no more than ten (10) years prior to the PTCAS application deadline.
  • Science course requirements – Alternative higher-level biology and chemistry courses with a lab component may be acceptable (with program approval).
  • Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted to PTCAS and verified during the fall period.
  • All planned or in-progress prerequisite coursework should be listed on the PTCAS application at the time of application submission.
  • All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with official transcripts submitted to SWAGÊÓƵ prior to the start of the program.
  • Online courses offered through as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.
Standardized Tests
  • The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
Letters of Reference

Two (2) letters of reference are required – submitted via PTCAS

  • One (1) academic reference from a professor, research advisor, or academic advisor.
  • One (1) letter from a licensed physical therapist from whom you have completed observation hours.
  • Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.
Observation Hours
  • SWAGÊÓƵ requires that all applicants complete at least forty (40) hours of observation with a licensed physical therapist (PT).
  • Observation hours with a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) may also be considered upon request.
  • All hours should be documented, submitted, and verified via PTCAS.
  • Although not required, it is recommended that applicants complete observation hours in a variety of practice settings and patient populations.
Personal Statement
  • Please refer to the PTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.
Interviews
  • Qualified applicants will be invited to interview via email. All interviews are completed through the virtual assessment platform.
International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

  • Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to PTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAGÊÓƵ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAGÊÓƵ-approved English language proficiency test.
  • Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAGÊÓƵ website for specific information, minimum score requirements, and test score submission instructions.
Other Requirements

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

  • Admitted and deposited students must arrange for the submission of all outstanding documents, including transcripts and baccalaureate degree conferral via an official transcript submitted to the SWAGÊÓƵ Office of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment prior to the start of the program.
  • Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAGÊÓƵ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
  • Completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations). Additional details and questions should be addressed to D.P.T. program staff.
  • All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Physical Therapy profession.

All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAGÊÓƵ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Policy Exceptions

  • Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
  • All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
  • Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case-by-case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

Transfer Credits

  • Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Physical Therapy program.
  • The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing

  • No advanced standing placement available.

Experiential Learning

  • No credit is awarded for experiential learning.

D.P.T. Admissions FAQ

How can I find out about the status of my application to SWAGÊÓƵ’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program?

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your verified application from the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment. All communication from Graduate Admissions and Recruitment will be sent to the email address listed on your PTCAS application. If you wish to check the status of your application please email the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment.

Does state residency play a role in admissions to SWAGÊÓƵ’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program?

There are no quotas for Maine or New England students. Prospective students from all geographic regions are encouraged to apply for admission.

Can I update or make changes to my SWAGÊÓƵ D.P.T. application post-submission?

Yes, updates can be made post-submission. Experiences can be added, but edits of previously submitted information is not allowed. Coursework can be during the Academic Update Period from mid-December to mid-February. 

I am reapplying to SWAGÊÓƵ’s D.P.T. What do I need to do?

Applicants reapplying to the SWAGÊÓƵ Doctor of Physical Therapy program need to resubmit all application materials for any new cycle in which they apply, including: primary CAS application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, written statements and responses, fees and payments, and any additional required documentation. Applicants should also actively update their experiences, extracurricular activities, clinical involvement, and volunteering each cycle as well, to reflect the most up-to-date engagement.