The Duke University Doctor of Physical Therapy program receives over 1000 applications each year, and during the 2020–2021 application cycle we will accept 108 students to our program. Our curriculum is rigorous and rewarding; as a result, our students have a 100 percent licensure exam pass rate (2017–2019) and a 100 percent employment rate after graduation (2016–2018).
Only full-time students are accepted and credits from other DPT programs cannot be transferred. North Carolina residence does not influence acceptance or tuition.
Currently, Duke DPT students represent 29 states in the United States and 6 countries.
Applications must be submitted through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Learn more about the application process.
Important dates
October 15: Application deadline
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university at the time of matriculation (the college or university must be accredited by one of the accrediting agencies found here). A bachelor's degree in natural sciences is not required; however, a strong background in natural science coursework is recommended.
Completion of all prerequisites prior to matriculation. See our prerequisites. All prerequisite courses must be completed at a college or university accredited by at least one of the accrediting agencies found here.
Three letters of recommendation, one each from:
A professor who has taught the applicant in a collegiate academic course and can attest to the applicant’s academic abilities. Letters from teaching assistants, lab instructors, academic advisors, and similar positions will NOT fulfill this requirement.
A licensed physical therapist the applicant has observed and/or worked with.
A person of the applicant’s choice. This can be a professor, physical therapist, academic advisor, teaching assistant, lab instructor, mentor, and similar positions. Letters from family members will not be accepted.
Interview by invitation.
*For the 2021–2022 application cycle candidates are expected to have some observation hours but not required to have 100. Candidates should report any verified completed hours at the time of application. If observation hours are completed once the application is submitted, candidates should update the PT Observation Hours in PTCAS.
In addition to the requirements listed above, all international applicants (Canadian institutions included) must have their foreign transcripts evaluated by the World Education Service and have that evaluation submitted directly to the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (study abroad courses do not apply if they are listed on the USA-transcript). Please note that the PTCAS transcript verification process can take 4–5 weeks.
If you have questions regarding admissions after thoroughly reviewing our website, contact the Admissions Office via email, or by calling 919-668-5206.
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The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Duke University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 919-681-4380 or email dptadmis@duke.edu.