Admissions

Updated on June 1, 2020

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.

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the School of Physical Therapy will honor prerequisite courses taken online from Spring 2020 until Fall 2021. In addition, a grade of “pass” may be accepted for prerequisite courses taken during this time although a letter grade is highly preferred if that option was available. Candidates may be required to provide an explanation if they opted into the P/F grading scale.

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 the Coronavirus pandemic.  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.*

*Belmont is aware that these standards may be a challenge to complete in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. If you have encountered such a challenge, please contact our admissions office at 615-460-6798 to discuss your options.

Early Decision

Early Decision is available to applicants whose first and only choice is Belmont University if accepted for admission and who submit/complete their application by August 15, 2022. 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 apply only to Belmont during the Early Decision period and pledge to attend if admitted.

• Early Decision Application deadline: August 15, 2022 (all transcripts must also be submitted to PTCAS by this date)
• Interview Day: Mid-to-late September 2022
  
• Decisions Announced: within 1 week after the interview day
  
• Reply Date for Accepted Candidates: November 1, 2022

Regular Admission

Regular Admission consideration is available to candidates who submit a PTCAS application by November 1.  Candidates who are invited to interview will be considered for any available openings in the entering class or for a place on the waitlist for possible future openings.  The first interview day for regular admission will be held on a Friday in early-to-mid November with selected candidates who have completed their application by October 1.  All other candidates with a completed application will be eligible, on a competitive basis, for an invitation to a February interview day.

PTCAS Open and Close Dates

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 before June 1, 2023. Final degree-conferred official transcripts must be sent to Belmont University Admissions Office soon after this date.  Accepted candidates who do not meet this deadline will forfeit their seats in the entering class.

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.

Interview Invitations
Only the most academically competitive candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview with a faculty member.

I'm not a Tennessee resident. May I still apply?
Belmont University makes no distinction between in-state and out-of-state students for admission or tuition purposes.

Do you offer an Early Decision program?
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.

Is a specific major required?
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.

May I apply while I am in the process of completing my observation hours?
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.

Do you accept credits from community or junior colleges?
Yes, as long as the institution has regional accreditation, you are welcome to complete prerequisite courses through two-year colleges.

May I apply while I am in the process of completing my prerequisites?
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.

Some of my courses are older than 10 years. Are there exceptions to that policy?
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.

May I request a transcript evaluation?
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.

What are the average GPA and GRE scores of students you accept?
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.

What is the minimum GRE score you will accept?
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.

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

What is Belmont School of Physical Therapy's code for the GRE?
7589.

Is there a separate application for Belmont?
The only application we require is the PTCAS application. Nothing supplemental needs to be sent to Belmont.

Where should I send my transcripts? Letters of recommendation?
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.

How many recommendations do you require? Who should write them?
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.

Do my 50 hours of observation need to be documented a certain way?
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.

Do you require an interview?
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.

May I schedule a visit to campus?
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 9:00-4:00. You can schedule an in-person appointment with Lauren Lauzon here.

How many students do you accept a year and when do they start?
We admit a class of 60 students per year. A new cohort class begins each fall semester.

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

Who can I talk to regarding financial aid?
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.

Current tuition information is listed below. Typically, tuition and fees increase each year between 3% and 5% and are set by March 1 prior to each upcoming 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.

For information about graduate student loans, contact Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid for Graduate Students at Belmont

Scholarship Awards Available to Incoming PT Students

Academic Merit Scholarship
Five academic merit scholarships, each in the annual amount of $12,000, 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.

Scholarship Awards Available to Continuing PT 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.

APTA Scholarships & Educational Loans

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers members access to an Education Loan Program. This program is administered by EAS Group, LLC.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

• AMBUCS Scholarship for Therapists
• College Scholarships for Physical Therapy Majors
• Physical Therapy Majors and Scholarship Money
• School Soup Physical Therapy Scholarships
• 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

Federal Student Aid Information Center
If you have any questions, please call Student Financial Services at 615-460-6403 or e-mail at finaid@belmont.edu

The links below will take you to important resources for future and current Physical Therapy students:

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

American Physical Therapy Association

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy: View pass rates for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)

Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service - Belmont University School of Physical Therapy accepts applications exclusively through PTCAS.

Course Descriptions to Satisfy Prerequisites: These courses are recommended for Belmont University undergraduate students who are preparing to apply for our program. You may use this as a guide to assist in comparing the courses you are considering to satisfy our prerequisites.

Our Assistant Director of Admissions, Sarah Caylor, will be happy to answer questions about the program, admission requirements and admission processes.

Please contact her by email at pt@belmont.edu or by telephone at 615-460-6722.

You can also make a weekday phone or Zoom appointment with Sarah here.