Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Program
Q. How would you describe the program?
The YSU DPT is an 8-semester (2.5-year), full-time, entry-level doctoral program. Each admitted class begins in the summer and completes all coursework together as a cohort of 45 students. This is an in-person program.
Q. Is the program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)?
Yes, the DPT program is fully accredited by CAPTE.
Q. Why choose YSU DPT?
YSU DPT is affordable for both in-state and out-of-state applicants. Students have the opportunity to work in our pro-bono PT clinic alongside supervising faculty, gaining hands-on patient care experience beyond the standard clinical curriculum. The program also offers robust opportunities for research collaboration with faculty, leadership roles within the cohort and university, and community engagement through the Active Aging and Rehabilitation Lab (AARL). Our small cohort model (45 students) fosters close relationships with faculty and classmates, and our clinical education network spans strong in-state and out-of-state partnerships, giving students broad flexibility in choosing where to complete their clinical experiences.
Admissions
Q. What are the requirements to apply?
Please visit the Admission Requirements page for program requirements.
Q. Does completion of requirements guarantee admission?
No. Applicants are ranked based on GPA, prerequisite GPA, and residency status. Competitiveness for admission depends on the strength of the applicant pool each year.
Q. Do you have to have a high GPA to be admitted?
While a 3.2 GPA is considered the minimum for application, the average GPA of recent admitted classes has been above a 3.2 GPA.
Q. What does YSU DPT look for in applicants?
We consider GPA, engagement, and professionalism.
Undergraduate Preparation & Prerequisites
Q. What undergraduate degrees at YSU are common for students pursuing the DPT?
Many students complete a degree in Biology, Psychology, or Exercise Science. Exercise Science offers a specific graduate preparation track.
Q. Do I need a specific undergraduate degree to apply to the DPT program?
No. Any undergraduate degree may be completed as long as all required PT prerequisites are completed. Majors other than those listed above are equally appropriate; the only challenge with other majors is that completion of PT prerequisites must be carefully planned, or it may delay timely completion of the undergraduate degree.
Q. When do I need to have my undergraduate degree completed?
Students must have completed their undergraduate degree before the start of the YSU PT program. The summer semester begins the second week of May.
Q. If I have taken prerequisite courses elsewhere, will they be accepted?
Prerequisites completed at other institutions are evaluated by the admissions committee. If you're considering a course elsewhere, check that the course number (level) and content match the YSU equivalent as closely as possible. For Chemistry, take the general chemistry course required for science majors at your institution. For Physics, take the general, algebra-based physics course for science majors. Courses intended for non-science majors will not be accepted.
Q. If I have experience in a related health field or profession, can I “test out” of any PT courses?
No. All curriculum courses are required to be taken.
Program Format & Time Commitment
Q. Can I attend part-time and complete the program over a longer period?
No. The full-time program is delivered to a cohort of students, and courses are completed in a carefully sequenced order to prepare students for their final clinical experiences.
Tuition, Scholarships & Student Employment
Q. What is the average tuition cost?
Please visit the Curriculum & Tuition page for tuition information.
Q. What scholarship opportunities exist at YSU DPT?
All scholarship opportunities are available through the YSU Foundation application process, which opens each spring. YSU DPT offers two vested scholarships for second-year students.
Q. What GA and student worker positions exist at YSU DPT?
GA positions in the program are available to second-year students. We fill 7 positions each year: 4 part-time positions (10 hours per week) and 3 full-time positions (20 hours per week) — Anatomy GA, Pro-Bono GA, and Active Aging and Rehabilitation Lab (AARL) GA.
Other students find GA positions through the YSU Rec Center, Student Achievement, the Rich Center, or the Community Engagement Office — these require contacting the specific department directly. Many students who don't hold GA positions still find student worker positions at the Rec Center and other areas on campus.
Clinical Education
Q. What does clinical education at YSU DPT look like?
YSU offers three full-time clinical education experiences (CEEs). CEE I is a six-week rotation in outpatient or home health care during Summer II, completed within a three-hour radius of Youngstown State University. CEE II and CEE III are completed during Summer III and Fall III, after all didactic coursework is finished, and can take place anywhere in the U.S. where we hold a contract. We have contracts with many in-state partners — including Cleveland Clinic, Mercy Health, Summa, MetroHealth, and Ohio State — as well as numerous out-of-state sites. The Director of Clinical Education works individually with each student to help identify clinical sites that align with their goals, whether that means gaining experience in a new setting, exploring a specific specialty, or placing closer to home. While placement in a specific location can't be guaranteed, we do our best to accommodate student preferences whenever possible.
Student Opportunities
Q. What leadership, research, and community engagement opportunities exist?
YSU offers many opportunities for students interested in leadership, research, or community engagement. Each cohort elects class officers, and additional leadership roles are available across the university. Students interested in research can partner with faculty on projects and apply for student research grants. Our Active Aging and Rehabilitation Lab (AARL) offers community exercise classes run by students, giving them hands-on experience serving the community. A pro-bono physical therapy clinic on campus, open two days a week, gives students further opportunity to practice their skills while serving the community.
More Information
Q. Where can I get additional information about the YSU DPT program?
Contact the program at physicaltherapy@ysu.edu or 330.941.2558. We also encourage you to attend a virtual or in-person open house to learn more about the program.
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