Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
Program Overview
Wilson College’s entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is an accelerated hybrid program structured for completion in two academic years across six semesters (108 credit hours). Instruction integrates online synchronous and asynchronous coursework with intensive lab immersions at the program’s King of Prussia, Pennsylvania facility.
Lab Site: Wilson College • 1275 Drummers Lane, Suite 100 • Wayne, PA 19087
Mission
Empower future physical therapists to become principled leaders who revolutionize healthcare outcomes and transform people’s quality of life through deep understanding, bold advocacy, and dedicated service.
Vision
Integrate fully as compassionate healthcare providers.
Inspire empowerment within healthcare and those we serve.
Impact healthcare outcomes by transforming lives.
Program Design and Delivery
The DPT Program’s curriculum is contained in a 2-year period and requires successful completion of 108 credit hours. The curriculum requires 6 continuous academic semesters that are broken into 2 terms each. The core curriculum of foundational science, clinical science, and patient and practice management courses is delivered in an accelerated, hybrid learning environment that optimizes technology and web-based teaching strategies for foundational didactics, integrates critical psychomotor skill development during onsite lab immersion sessions, and incorporates a structured and collaborative clinical education program. The DPT curriculum integrates course content and assignments that emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, evidence, and student development and accountability. The curriculum is a balance between foundational, theoretical, practical, and analytical instruction that prepares the learner for the unique challenges of dynamic healthcare system.
Accreditation Status
Wilson College is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on November 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not ensure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Admissions Policies
Admission to the DPT Program aligns with the Wilson College mission and policies. We seek candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, compassionate responsiveness, and dedication to service. Admission is granted on a space-available basis following a competitive, holistic, and transparent review of each applicant’s complete submitted materials through PTCAS.
|
DETERMINATION
|
CRITERIA
|
NEXT STEP
|
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
|
|
Admitted
|
Meets all standards; rubric score at or above pool threshold; space available.
|
Written offer issued; seat deposit deadline communicated.
|
Coordinator of Admissions
|
|
Contingent Admission
|
Holistic review indicates applicant will satisfy outstanding admission requirements prior to matriculation (e.g., prerequisite in progress).
|
Conditional offer issued with written conditions and reporting deadlines; failure to fulfill conditions results in withdrawal of offer.
|
Coordinator of Admissions
|
|
Waitlist
|
Qualified applicant meets threshold; no seat currently available.
|
Ranked by rubric score; priority pool ranked before general pool; offers extended as seats become available.
|
Coordinator of Admissions
|
|
Deferred Decision
|
An admissions decision is deferred pending further review or information, as applicable under the program's established procedures
|
Applicant notified in writing of the deferred decision and applicable next steps or timeline.
|
Coordinator of Admissions
|
|
Denial of Admissions
|
Applicant does not meet one or more admissions eligibility requirements and, in the Admissions Committee's professional judgment, is not positioned to meet all required standards; or the applicant otherwise does not qualify for admission under established criteria.
|
Written notification issued. No appeal or reconsideration provision, consistent with the applicable policy.
|
Coordinator of Admissions
|
A non-refundable seat deposit is required to formally reserve an accepted applicant’s place in the incoming DPT cohort.
Admissions Criteria
The DPT Program offers two distinct admissions pathways. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. The GRE is not required. The DPT Program’s admissions policies are consistent with applicable accreditation standards.
|
REQUIREMENT
|
TRADITIONAL PATHWAY
|
LICENSED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY
|
|
Degree Requirement
|
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
|
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
|
|
Eligible Applicants
|
The traditional admissions pathway for applicants who completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution who also completed or are completing the required DPT prerequisite coursework.
|
An alternative admissions pathway available to applicants who hold an active professional healthcare license for a minimum of 1 year in a qualifying discipline and a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
|
|
Minimum GPA
|
3.0 cumulative and 3.0 prerequisite/core science GPA
|
3.0 cumulative GPA
|
|
Prerequisites
|
Nine prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation; See Prerequisite Coursework section below.
|
Prerequisites waived
|
|
Direct Patient-Facing Experience
|
Not required
|
Minimum one year of direct patient-facing clinical experience required
|
|
Observation Hours
|
50 hours minimum, supervised by a licensed physical therapist, at two distinct practice settings
|
50 hours minimum, supervised by a licensed physical therapist, at two distinct practice settings
|
|
Letters of Recommendation
|
Two required:
- One from an employer, supervisor, or mentor of the applicant’s choice
- One from a professor or licensed physical therapist under whom observation hours were completed
Recommendations from clergy, family, or friends are not accepted.
|
Two required:
- One from an employer, supervisor, or mentor of the applicant’s choice
- One from a professor or licensed physical therapist under whom observation hours were completed
Recommendations from clergy, family, or friends are not accepted.
|
|
Personal Statement
|
The applicant is required to submit a personal one-to-two page statement that provides a genuine reflection of personal motivations for pursuing the physical therapy profession and readiness for the academic demands of an accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
|
The applicant is required to submit a personal one-to-two page statement that provides a genuine reflection of personal motivations for pursuing the physical therapy profession and readiness for the academic demands of an accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
|
|
Virtual Interview
|
Asynchronous video interview via Kira Talent platform, by invitation. Assesses professionalism, communication, reasoning, and mission alignment.
|
Asynchronous video interview via Kira Talent platform, by invitation. Assesses professionalism, communication, reasoning, and mission alignment.
|
|
Info Session Attendance
|
Attendance at a minimum of one program information session or webinar.
|
Attendance at a minimum of one program information session or webinar.
|
|
Technical Standards
|
Applicants must attest that they meet the technical standards necessary to perform effectively in the program.
|
Applicants must attest that they meet the technical standards necessary to perform effectively in the program.
|
|
GRE
|
Not required
|
Not required
|
Holistic Admissions Considerations
An admissions evaluation approach that considers the totality of an applicant’s submitted materials including academic performance, professional experience, personal statement, interview performance, letters of recommendation, and holistic consideration factors that add to the weighted system of evaluation rather than relying solely on GPA or prerequisite performance. Holistic review identifies candidates who demonstrate the full range of attributes necessary for success in physical therapy education and practice.
A holistic admissions approach is utilized for all applicants and considers admissions on an individual basis for provisional acceptance. The holistic considerations account for specific experiences such as:
- Current military service or veteran
- Rural community location
- First generation college professional
- Completed psychosocial questionnaire(s) - (self-regulation, grit, emotional intelligence, resilience)
- Returning college student – previous workforce experience.
- Documented substantive service experience
-
Prerequisite Coursework (Traditional Pathway)
Nine prerequisite courses are required, each completed with a grade of B or higher. A minimum of six of the nine must be completed at the time of application submission. All nine must be reflected on official transcripts prior to matriculation. One course repeat maximum is permitted for core science prerequisites.
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
a. Must have been completed in last 10 years
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
a. Must have been completed in last 10 years
- General Biology I (with lab)
- General Chemistry I (with lab)
- General Physics I (with lab)
- General Physics II (with lab)
- Two Psychology Courses (i.e., General, Abnormal, Developmental)
- One Statistics (i.e., General Statistics, Biostatistics, Research Design)
Encouraged and recommended (not required):
Pathophysiology,
Neuroscience,
Medical Terminology,
Kinesiology.
Degree Requirements
Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts from all institutions attended are required for submission.
- A minimum cumulative GPA and prerequisite course GPA of 3.00 and 3.0 or greater, respectively, is required for admissions.
a. Course Forgiveness Repeats for Course Science Prerequisites = 1 time is preferable.
- The Admissions Committee uses a holistic review process and may consider applicants with a GPA below 3.00 in limited circumstances when clear and substantive evidence of readiness for the rigor of the program is determined.
- Applicants whose academic record does not fully reflect their potential are invited to provide additional context, background or life circumstances that influenced their academic performance.
Matriculation and Graduation Standards
The DPT curriculum is sequential and competency based. Students must satisfy defined academic, clinical, professional, and administrative standards each semester to progress to the next. Students who do not meet Matriculation or graduation standards are referred to the Coordinator of Student Affairs (CoSA) pursuant to the Grading, Attendance & Participation Policy. The CoSA in collaboration with the Program Director determines the course of action in accordance with institutional and program policies, which may include promediation, remediation, probation, suspension, or dismissal.
Matriculation Standards for Term-to-Term Progression
To progress from one term to the next, a student must satisfy the following standards:
Academic Performance Standards
Clinical & Professional Standards
Graduation Standards Required for Degree Conferral
To be eligible for degree conferral, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
Academic Completion
Clinical Education Completion
Professional Development
Administrative Clearance
Promediation, Remediation, and Probation
Promediation, remediation, and, when applicable, academic probation are structured student support and retention practices designed to promote student success and academic progression. Students are expected to engage with all aspects of these processes. Course faculty, core faculty advisors, and the CoSA coordinate student support and monitor student performance throughout the curriculum. For additional information, students should refer to the Wilson College Catalog and the DPT Program’s Promediation & Remediation and Probation & Dismissal Policies.
Promediation
Promediation is the intentional and proactive practice of student support within a didactic or clinical education course, characterized by direct faculty engagement, targeted guidance, advisor consultation, and documented support. Promediation is an opportunity for students to correct their academic trajectory. All proactive interventions and support measures are formally documented and supported through an Action Plan.
Remediation
Remediation is the intentional and structured practice of student support within a didactic course, characterized by a formal, individualized, and mandatory process designed to address identified deficiencies in academic performance or competency attainment. It provides students with targeted support and opportunities to demonstrate achievement of required program competencies and progression standards. Remediation plans, interventions, and outcomes are formally documented. Final exams are not subject to remediation.
Academic Probation
Consistent with the WC Course Catalog and the academic progression standards, Academic Probation is automatically outlined by a cumulative GPA below established standards in accordance with the Matriculation & Graduation Policy, which identifies a cumulative GPA of 2.8 at the conclusion of the first semester or a 3.0 from the second semester onward. Students who fail to meet the minimum required GPA for a term or semester are automatically placed on probation. Probation applies only to students enrolled in the didactic portion of the curriculum. The individualized Academic Success Plan is a collaborative agreement between the student, CoSA, core faculty advisor, and course faculty. Probation is a structured pathway back to good standing.
Suspension and Dismissal
Suspension (Deceleration) is the separation of the student from the DPT Program for a defined period of time. Within the DPT program, this status is referred to as Deceleration, and the student may be eligible to apply for reenrollment upon successful completion of all the conditions of the Academic Success Plan. Re-enrollment is not guaranteed.
Academic Trigger for Suspension
A non-passing final grade in any didactic DPT course: ‘C−,’ ‘D,’ or ‘F’, or an ‘F’ in any clinical education course, per the Grading, Attendance, & Participation Policy. The exception to this is DPT-600: Human Anatomy for which the minimum passing grade is a B- (80.00%).
Academic & Non-Academic Triggers for Dismissal
- Confirmed or egregious violation of the Academic Standards and Integrity Statement and expected Professional Behaviors, including plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, misrepresentation of AI-generated content, cheating on written or practical examinations, cheating on graded assignments, or misrepresentation of clinical documentation or patient information; academic dishonesty during a promediation activity (an aggravated violation regardless of the original concern); or a pattern of integrity concerns demonstrating willful disregard for the ethical and professional standards of the profession.
- Failure to achieve or maintain the GPA thresholds of the Matriculation and Graduation Policy following intervention through promediation, remediation, and / or probation extending beyond one semester.
- Egregious or repeated violations of professional behavior standards under Professional Behaviors, Conduct, and Dress Code Policy; a documented patient, colleague, or public safety violation demonstrating incompetence, recklessness, or willful disregard for patient welfare; HIPAA, patient confidentiality, conduct that seriously discredits the student, the DPT Program, Wilson College, or the profession; fundamental breach of the APTA Code of Ethics or Core Values.
Academic Integrity
All members of the DPT Program community are expected to adhere to the highest Academic Standards with a commitment to Academic Integrity. The DPT Program follows the Academic Standards and Integrity Policies established within the Wilson College Catalog and Honor Principle, the DPT Programs Academic Integrity Policy, the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Guide for Professional practice, and the APTA Code of Ethics.
Violations of this policy are treated seriously, swiftly, and may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the DPT Program’s Academic Integrity Policy. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the WC Academic Standards and Integrity Policies and the APTA Code of Ethics. The student must seek clarification if needed. Students who actively breach Academic Integrity standards are considered in violation are required to meet with the Coordinator of Student Affairs (CoSA) and / or the Program Director in accordance with Professional Behavior, Conduct, and Dress Code Policy. Student cases involving academic violations and major social violations may warrant referral to the Wilson College Joint Honor Council (JHC) in accordance with the WC Blue Book.