Saint Louis University offers an early assurance physical therapy program that allows you to complete your undergraduate and doctoral degree in six years. SLU was among the first Jesuit institutions to offer a degree in physical therapy and is one of the top programs of its kind, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
SLU's physical therapy program, offered through the Doisy College of Health Sciences,
is divided into two portions: a three-year pre-professional phase (freshman, sophomore,
junior) followed by a three-year professional phase starting your senior year. This
progression provides a seamless entry from foundational coursework to practical labs
and clinical experiences. Download curriculum
During the professional phase, you will enroll in coursework specific to the PT profession
and complete 40 weeks of full-time clinical internships.
SLU’s PT program is flexible enough to allow students to study abroad during their
junior year in the pre-professional phase for an immersing international experience.
Students begin their clinical experience in the spring of their senior year.
SLU is affiliated with more than 300 clinical sites locally, nationally and internationally,
and the three-year average of SLU physical therapy graduates who pass the National
Physical Therapy Examination is 99.1 percent.
In addition to University-level scholarships, sophomore, junior and senior physical therapy students are also eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Association.
After graduation, students must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to
obtain a license to practice physical therapy.
Graduates of SLU’s physical therapy program work in hospitals, outpatient clinics,
long-term rehabilitation facilities, collegiate and professional sports, schools,
patient homes and fitness centers.
Saint Louis University takes pride in being one of Barron's Best Buys in College Education and Kiplinger's Best Values in Private Colleges.
For information regarding the upcoming academic year’s tuition rate, fees and financial aid, visit SLU Financial Services.
Admission requirements for SLU’s PT program include four years of high school science, including biology and chemistry (physics is strongly encouraged but not required); four years of math (precalculus recommended but not required); and four years of English.
An ACT composite score of 25 or higher, with no subsection below a 23, or equivalent SAT scores, and a high school GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, with an emphasis on math and science is required for standard admission. Students accepted into the program in fall 2016 had an average GPA of 4.0 and ACT composite score of 29.
SLU offers an early acceptance admission process for students with an ACT composite score of 30 or higher with math and science subsections scoring at least a 28 (or equivalent SAT scores), a high school GPA of 3.85 on a 4.0 scale and an outstanding high school academic record.
Your application for admission into the PT program must be complete no later than Dec. 1. Late applications are not considered. All supporting documents (including test scores, transcripts and class schedules) must be received no later than Jan. 6.
The Program in Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
View program outcomes, technical standards, student handbooks and additional program
information in this information packet.
Technical Standards (description of technical standards can be found in the above information packet - page 5)
Program Complaint Policy and Instructions (description of complaint policy can be found in the above information packet - page 6)
Student Handbooks
Saint Louis University's physical therapy program admits students directly to the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum as freshmen. After enrolling, you will continue in the program without additional application procedures as long as the academic and professional requirements are met.