Admissions & Aid

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.

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:

1. Chemistry: 8 semester hours, two semesters with a lab in each
2. Physics: 8 semester hours, two semesters with a lab in each
3. Biology: 8 semester hours, two semesters with a lab in each
4. Human Anatomy and Physiology: 8 semester hours, two semesters with a lab in each
5. Statistics: 3 semester hours
6. Behavioral Science Courses: 6 semester hours (includes courses in psychology, sociology, anthropology and/or ethics)

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.

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.

Application Process Overview

Early Decision

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.

• Early Decision Application deadline: August 15, 2025 (all transcripts must also be submitted to PTCAS by this date)
• Interview Day: Mid-to-late September 2025
• Decisions Announced: within 1 week after the interview day
• Reply Date for Accepted Candidates: November 1, 2025

Regular Admission & Priority Deadline

January 15, 2026 - 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, 2026 - Final Application Deadline (as space is available). The PTCAS application must be complete by this date, including official GRE scores, transcripts, and recommendations. 

PTCAS Academic Update

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).

Prerequisite Completion Deadline

All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a "C" or higher through a regionally accredited institution before June 1, 2026. 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.

Awards Available to Incoming Students

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.

Awards Available to Continuing DPT Students

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.

• AMBUCS Scholarship for Therapists
• College Scholarships for Physical Therapy Majors
• Physical Therapy Majors and Scholarship Money
• Scholarship Institute
• Go College
• The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
• A.D. and Peggy Hewlett and Colonel David R. Inman Medical Scholarship
• American Academy of Physical Therapy
• American Indian Graduate Center
• APTA's Scholarship and Aid Page
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Indian Health Service
• Japanese American Citizens League Scholarships
• Information on scholarships in health-related careers
• College Parents of America--Financial Aid Links
• Sallie Mae
• MedCAP Alternative Loan for Health Professionals
• NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Programs

Belmont University makes no distinction between in-state and out-of-state students for admission or tuition purposes.

Yes, Early Decision is available to applicants whose first and only choice is Belmont University. Early Decision candidates pledge to only apply to Belmont; however, if not accepted for Early Decision, applicants may then apply to other programs. All Early Decision candidates will be notified of a decision by mid-late September. The entering class may be filled by candidates who apply for Early Decision.

We do not require a specific major to apply for our program, as long as the prerequisites are completed. Common majors include psychology, exercise science and biology.

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 50 hours before an application will be reviewed. The application will remain incomplete until this requirement is met.

Yes, as long as the institution has regional accreditation, you are welcome to complete prerequisite courses through two-year colleges.

Yes, you may. However, by the spring semester, no more than 2 prerequisites may remain to be completed. Additionally, all courses must be complete and your degree conferred by June 1.

If an applicant has been working in a science field since taking prerequisite courses, there may be an exception to the 10-year policy. This exception can only be determined after an application has been submitted and reviewed. Please contact us if you have questions about your situation.

We do not provide transcript evaluations prior to receiving an application. However, if you have questions about a specific course, please feel free to contact us.

We do not calculate the average GPA or GRE scores. Typically, though, competitive applications to our program will have a 3.5 or higher GPA (both cumulative and prerequisite) and a 150 or higher in both the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE, with a 4 or higher in the analytical writing. Of course, these are just guidelines; however, all candidates must have a minimum 3.2 GPA (both cumulative and prerequisite) to be considered.

We do not have a minimum GRE. Generally, competitive applications to our program have a 150 or higher in both the verbal and quantitative sections, with a 4 or higher in analytical writing. However, that is just a general guideline, as the GRE is only one of many factors in the admissions decision.

Yes, with multiple GRE scores, we will take the highest score in each section.

7589.

The only application we require is the PTCAS application. Nothing supplemental needs to be sent to Belmont.

All materials should be sent to PTCAS; nothing should be sent directly to Belmont. Instructions and addresses for transcripts and recommendations (called "evaluations" on PTCAS) are available on their website after you have created an account.

We require two recommendations. One must be from a PT. The second may be from a person of your choosing such as a professor, employer, another PT, etc. Neither should be from a family member, friend, clergy, etc.

We do not require a specific form, but you will need to input all of your hours into PTCAS, with contact information for verification. So, you should track them in a document that can easily be referenced and uploaded.

A face-to-face interview with a faculty member is a required part of the admission process. The interview days also act as visit days that include a program overview, lab demonstrations and an opportunity to talk with current students.

We're always glad to have visitors, but typically we encourage candidates to wait until they are invited for an interview before coming to campus, as the interview day includes a much more comprehensive look at the program, interactions with faculty and current students, lab demonstrations, etc. However, if you are going to be in Nashville anyway and would like to stop by, the admissions coordinator will be glad to schedule an appointment to give you a brief tour of the building, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can schedule an in-person appointment with Lauren Lauzon here.

We admit a class of 60 students per year. A new cohort class begins each fall semester.

No. Belmont University School of Physical Therapy does not accept transfer credit from any other physical therapy program.

All questions concerning financial aid should be directed to our Student Financial Services department. You can reach the Student Financial Services Office by phone at 615-460-6403 or online.