Pre-Physical Therapy

There are two avenues to be admitted into the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Direct Entry and PTCAS (Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service), www.ptcas.org.

Direct Entry

Incoming freshmen who have been officially admitted to the University of Jamestown's undergraduate program in a pre-physical therapy track major (e.g. biology, biochemistry, chemistry, exercise science, or nursing) may apply for Direct Entry to the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Current freshmen and sophomore students at the University of Jamestown may apply for Direct Entry to the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Direct Entry application criteria are as follows:

• Acceptance to the University of Jamestown
• High school transcripts showing minimum 3.00 GPA (4.00 scale)
• For current University of Jamestown students, minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.00 (4.00 scale)

To apply to Direct Entry, the following items must be submitted: 

• Completed application for Direct Entry into Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
• Official transcript(s)
• Essential Function Requirements form
• Interview with a University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program admissions representative.

The first deadline for completed applications is January 1, year of entry. Successful applicants will be notified by February 1.

The second deadline for completed applications is April 1, year of entry. Successful applicants will be notified by May 1.

Maintenance of Eligibility in Direct Entry - Grades and Pre-professional Behavior

Direct Entry students are required to maintain:

• Cumulative GPA in all undergraduate course work (> 3.00)*
• Cumulative GPA in all undergraduate prerequisite course work (> 3.00)*
• Appropriate pre-professional behavior such as no campus violations and attending Direct Entry meetings

*If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, the student has one semester to raise his or her cumulative GPA to 3.00 or higher. If the student is unable to raise his or her cumulative GPA above 3.00 after one semester, he or she is dismissed from Direct Entry but is eligible to remain at the University and is eligible to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program through PTCAS.

*Human anatomy and physiology I and II with lab must be completed at the University of Jamestown. Online courses will not be accepted. 

Prerequisite Table

*Must be taken at the University of Jamestown for Direct Entry.

***If the student's prerequisite GPA falls below 3.00, the student has one semester to raise his or her prerequisite GPS in those courses to 3.00 or higher. IF the student is unable to raise his or her prerequisite GPA in those courses to 3.00 or higher after one semester, he or she is dismissed from Direct Entry but is eligible to remain at the University and is eligible to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program through PTCAS. If prerequisite courses are retaken, grades will be averaged to calculate the new prerequisite GPA.

If the student violates any of the above criteria, the student may be dismissed from Freshman Direct Entry.

Matriculation into the Physical Therapy Program

To matriculate in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, the following criteria must be met by February 1 of the  year of entry to the professional program. Direct Entry students must complete their undergraduate degree in order to matriculate into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. 

Essential Function Requirements

Because a student's ability to carry out the essential functions required of a physical therapist may change between the student's initial matriculation into the University of Jamestown as an undergraduate and his/her graduation, an additional signed Essential Function Requirements Form is required. This additional form is separate from the Essential Function Requirements Form that was signed during the application process.

Observation Hours

Physical Therapy observation hours are recommended but not required. We do encourage each applicant to learn more about the physical therapy profession prior to their interview.

Letters of Recommendation

One recommendation from a work-related supervisor using the Direct Entry Letter of Recommendation, Supervisor form is required. This recommendation can be sent directly from the reference to this address: University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, 4190 26th Ave. S, Fargo, ND,  58104. It can also be submitted by the student directly to the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in a sealed envelope with the supervisor's signature across the sealed, back side of the envelope. 

One recommendation from a physical therapist using the Direct Entry Letter of Recommendation, Supervisor form is required. This recommendation can be sent directly from the reference to this address: University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, 4190 26th Ave. S, Fargo, ND,  58104. It can also be submitted by the student directly to the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in a sealed envelope with the physical therapist's signature across the sealed, back side of the envelope. 

Background Check

A background check is required. Contact Brittany Anderson at ext. 5921 to obtain information. There is an estimated $75 fee.

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)

Students who have completed required course work and will be receiving a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution may apply to the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PRCAS) online application at www.ptcas.org. All required application materials must be uploaded into PTCAS for processing; materials mailed directly to the program will not be accepted. The University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program has a rolling admissions process. PTCAS must receive all information by the application deadlines. Please check PTCAS for application deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview at the University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Fargo campus. All costs associated with the interview are the responsibility of the applicant.

Admission to the program is determined based on the following criteria:

• Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation
• Official transcripts from all higher learning institutions attended
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all undergraduate courses (GPA calculation includes repeated courses)
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all prerequisite courses listed in the prerequisite table (GPA calculation includes repeated courses)
• Completion of a minimum of 40 hours observation, volunteer, and/or paid work in a physical therapy setting verified by a licensed physical therapist
• Signed Essential Functions Requirements Form
• Two letters of recommendation: one from work supervisor, one from licensed physical therapist
• Submission of TOEFL scores, if applicable (acceptable scores are as follows: TOEFL score 525 Paper; TOEFL score 195 Computer; TOEFL score 70 Internet-based; IELTS band score 5.5)

Prerequisite Coursework

Nine of thirteen prerequisite courses must be completed by October 1 to be eligible for an interview in November, or December 15 to be eligible for an interview in February. All coursework and a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution must be completed by June 1 prior to beginning the program.

If your application is selected for admission, and upon accepting the offer of admission, you will be agreeing to an annual national background report and also agreeing to comply with health, immunization, and education requirements of the clinical education program.

University of Jamestown protects applicants rights, including due process. If an individual believes that he or she has been treated unfairly in the admissions process, he or she may wage a complaint with the Admissions Review Committee. The Admissions Review Committee is composed of the Director of the Physical Therapy Program and the Provost.