Prospective Students

Direct Freshman Admit-Early Assurance

High school students are invited to apply for direct freshman entry into Marquette University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This unique feature allows students to secure a spot in the DPT program straight from high school, without needing to apply again after completing an undergraduate degree. High school graduates with no more than 12 college credits (earned post-graduation) may also apply. College credits earned during high school (AP/IB, dual enrollment) do not count toward this limit.

Unlike the majority of DPT programs where students must reapply to enter the professional phase after earning a bachelor's degree, Marquette's Direct Freshman Entry (Early Assurance) ensures continued enrollment as long as academic standards are maintained.

Key Benefits:

• Variety of Undergraduate Majors: Choose from nearly 20 undergraduate majors that align with the student's areas of interest, including the popular Exercise Physiology, all of which incorporate the physical therapy prerequisites.
• Reduced Competitive Pressure: Direct admission removes much of the stress of applying to a graduate program, allowing students to enjoy a richer undergraduate experience aligned with Marquette’s Jesuit mission.
• Guaranteed Professional Phase: As long as students meet continuation requirements by junior year, admission to the professional phase is guaranteed.

Strong Applicants for Direct Admission:

• Rank in the top 25% of their class.
• Have demonstrated proficiency in high school math and science courses.
• Extracurricular activities, service, awards, and essays are all considered as part of the applicants profile. Test scores are now optional.

Required High School Courses for Admission:

• One year of biology
• One year of chemistry
• Three years of college-preparatory math (including algebra, geometry, advanced algebra/trigonometry)
• One year of physics (strongly recommended)

PT Observation Hours:

While not required, observing in different physical therapy settings and with different patient populations can help demonstrate understanding and commitment to the profession during the application process.

How to Apply:
Interested high school seniors should apply for undergraduate admission in the fall of their senior year. Acceptance to the Early Assurance program for incoming freshmen is on a competitive basis. Completed applications must be received by the university’s Regular Decision deadline for first-year applicants.

Requirements to Maintain Direct Admit-Early Assurance Status:

• Completion of 32 credits of prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.67.
  • Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or dual enrollment college credits may be applied toward a maximum of four D.P.T. prerequisite courses, excluding CHEM 1002, PHYS 1002, Anatomy and Physiology. These four prerequisite courses must be completed at the college level for a letter grade after high school. However, credits earned through Marquette University's Early College Credit Program (ECCP) are exempt from this limitation and may be applied to D.P.T. prerequisite courses without restriction. ECCP courses are included in the calculation of the minimum 2.670 GPA required for prerequisite courses and subject to the letter grade minimum requirements. Note: AP, IB and dual enrollment credits awarded by MU are credit-bearing only and are not included in grade point average (GPA) calculations.
• A maximum of two prerequisite courses can be completed with a grade of C (C- or lower is not acceptable).
• Students may retake one prerequisite course, with the higher grade used in GPA calculations.
• No more than 7 prerequisite credits can be taken outside Marquette and must follow the policy for Study at Other Institutions. It is strongly encouraged that all courses be from accredited four-year institutions, and online courses are not accepted.
  • Note: Prerequisite courses taken outside Marquette count toward the DPT prerequisite GPA but not the university GPA.
• Have the ability to complete their bachelor's degree by the fifth year of the program.

If you were not offered a direct admit (Early Assurance) spot or decide later during your time at Marquette that you would like to pursue Physical Therapy, there is still a path for you. Students who do not receive a direct admit can enroll at Marquette begin completing their Undergrauate Requirements and complete the prerequisite courses required for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. These students follow the same academic program as direct-admit students; however, admission to the professional phase is not guaranteed.

Students must apply for admission to the professional phase of the DPT program at the end of their junior year or during their senior year, as they complete their undergraduate coursework. Admission is competitive and depends on space availability each year.

Internal Applicant Requirements:

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or a plan to complete it before the spring of the second year in the professional phase of the DPT program.
• Completion (or near completion) of 32 credits of prerequisite course work is required.
• Internal transfer applicants must have a minimum 3.000 overall GPA and a 2.670 GPA in prerequisite courses, though most successful applicants have higher GPAs.
• Physical therapy observation hours are not required, but gaining observation experience in variety of PT settings and with different patient populations is highly recommended to show your understanding of and commitment to the profession.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least two are required—one must be from a licensed physical therapist, and the other can be from a professor or another PT. A maximum of three letters of recommendation are accepted.
• Marquette graduates are considered internal transfer applicants if they have completed at least 15 of the 32 prerequisite credits at Marquette.

Application Process:

• Transfer admission is competitive, and the top candidates will be selected from the pool of applicants.
• The application deadline is February 1 each year.

Click Here for the Internal Transfer Application

For more information contact the Chair of the Departmental Admissions Committee at (414) 288-7161.

Transfer Admission for Students with a Bachelor's Degree from Another University

Students who have completed or are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree from another university are considered External Transfer Students for Marquette University's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The DPT program is a 2 year and 8 month, full-time program starting in the fall, with graduation in May. External applicants are accepted based on space availability, and admission is highly competitive. To be considered favorably, applicants should meet the following criteria above the minimum standards:

• Application Process: Marquette participates in the national online application system, PTCAS. Submit your application by December 1 for the following fall semester.
• Prerequisites: Prerequisites can be found here. (Note the asterisk indicating Intro to PT class is waived). A minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses is required, but a 3.5 GPA is typically necessary to be competitive. Applications with more than one prerequisite in progress are less competitive.  Prerequisites may be taken at a 2-year or 4-year schools, however the DPT program strongly encourages 4-year institution for prerequisites.  Prerequisites may be taken online with the exception of Chemistry 2, Physics 2, Anatomy, and Physiology.  Those courses need to be in-person. 
• Observation Hours: While specific observation hours are not required, gaining experience in various physical therapy settings and working with different patient populations is recommended to demonstrate your understanding of and commitment to the profession.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters are required—one must be from a licensed physical therapist, and the second (or third) can be from another PT or a professor. A maximum of three letters are accepted.
• Official Transcripts: Provide official transcripts showing completion of your bachelor's degree.
• GRE Scores: Submit official GRE scores. Minimum scores are V150/Q150/A4.0. Marquette’s PTCAS GRE code is 0558.
• Supplemental Fee: A $20 supplemental fee is required, which will support the DPT Faculty Scholarship Fund. After submitting this fee, you will receive a notification from Marquette University’s Advancement Office.
  • Payment: Mail a check to the Dpartment of Physical Therapy. Please make the check out to Marquette University and in the notes section indicate it is the MUPT application fee.  The mailing address is:
    Department of Physical Therapy
    Marquette University
    Schroeder Complex Room 346
    PO Box 1881
    Milwaukee, WI 53201
    Attn: Marquette DPT Transfer Admission.
  • For alternative method of payment, please email MUPTinfo@marquette.edu. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PTCAS SUBMISSIONS PROCESS

International Students/Graduates

If you are an international student or graduate looking to apply for the professional phase of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Marquette University, you can apply as a transfer student on a competitive basis. Please ensure you complete the following steps:

• Complete all prerequisite coursework before applying.
• Apply through PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service) here.
• Submit the $20 supplemental fee. Instructions and further details can be found here.

• Submit TOEFL scores through PTCAS. Marquette University requires a minimum IBT TOEFL score of 80, with no sub-score below 20.

  • TOEFL can be waived if non-native English speakers have completed 2+ years of full-time coursework at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
  • IELTS scores may be accepted in certain cases instead of the TOEFL.
• Submit your academic transcripts for evaluation through World Education Services (WES) at http://www.wes.org. You can contact WES by phone at (212) 966-6311.
• Complete and send the financial sponsorship form. More information and instructions can be found on the Marquette University International Students page.

Application Timeline:

• Applications can be submitted through PTCAS up to one year prior to the desired fall entry but no later than November 1 of the year before entry.

For further inquiries, you can contact Dr. Andy Starsky, Admissions Chairperson for the Department of Physical Therapy, at (414) 288-7161 or via email at MUPTinfo@marquette.edu.

For International Undergraduate Students:

If you are an international student interested in pursuing or completing an undergraduate degree at Marquette University, you can apply apply online.

For information on housing, tuition, financial aid, and general university questions, please contact University Admissions at 800-222-6544. You can also join the university’s mailing list to receive updates about open houses and scholarship competitions.