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Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Guaranteed Professional Admission Program

students in class checking student's kneeWelcome to the developing Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine – Knoxville (LMU-DCOM Knoxville). Here, you will find a thoughtfully organized curriculum designed to integrate traditional didactic educational content with contemporary clinical experiences that emphasize the importance of evidence-based and patient-centered care. We are currently in the process of hiring exceptional faculty who are not only experienced clinicians, but dedicated educators as well. Our program is unique in that it is housed on a campus with programs from the following health care professions: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant – Surgical Focus, and Doctor of Occupational Therapy. We are committed to providing students with an interprofessional education that will prepare them to excel in a dynamic healthcare environment.

We invite you to visit our campus, ask questions, and learn more about our program. We encourage you to consider pursuing your education at Lincoln Memorial University and we look forward to helping you achieve your professional goals. Please do not hesitate to contact us at DPTKnoxville@LMUnet.edu with any questions.

Students enrolled in LMU's GPA program who apply to the Program through PTCAS are guaranteed an interview if they meet the Program's criteria for application and admission. Completion of an interview does not guarantee an offer for admission.

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Physical Therapy Pathways

There are two potential pathways of entry into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program via the LMU GPA Program. The two pathways are listed below with admission requirements. Please note that the GRE is NOT required for admission via any pathway. Please contact us at DPTKnoxville@LMUnet.edu with any questions or concerns regarding prerequisites or admission criteria.

Exam

Pathway 1: Freshmen Guaranteed Professional Admission (GPA)- BS/DPT

This pathway is appropriate for:

- High school seniors applying to LMU who would like to complete their BS in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science degree and DPT degree in six years.

Students who wish to pursue this pathway, must meet the following criteria for BS/DPT track admission:

Prior to admission into the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science major:

  1. High school graduate with a science and math grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.  
  2. Minimum math (21) and reading (23) ACT score or minimum SAT score of 1100 
  3. Three (3) years of science including Chemistry and Biology; One year of physics is strongly recommended  
  4. Three (3) years of college prep math (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra and/or trigonometry)  
  5. Interview with faculty/staff involved with GPA Program (Physical Therapy)

Prior to progression to the professional DPT phase:

  1. Students will be required to answer a physical therapy-focused writing prompt/personal statement   
  2. Two (2) character references from (choose 2 of the following):
    1. Guidance counselor/ humanities teacher  
    2. Science Teacher  
    3. Coach 
    4. Employer 

Freshmen admitted as BS/DPT students will be granted conditional acceptance into the Professional phase of the DPT program upon satisfactory completion of the above requirements in addition to the degree requirements. Full acceptance into the Professional Phase of the DPT program will be granted pending satisfactory completion of the Criteria for Progression to the Professional DPT Program.

Students wishing to apply via this pathway will apply using the general LMU application link when applying as a high school senior.

GPA Program Application

Classroom

Pathway 2: Undergraduate "3+3" BS/DPT

This pathway is appropriate for:

- Any students interested in GPA Program who did not meet the entry criteria at the time of initial application & acceptance to LMU.

- Current LMU students who wish to change their major to Exercise and Rehabilitation Science;

- Transfer students from other institutions into the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science major

Students who wish to pursue this pathway, must meet the following criteria for admission:

  1. Students must complete 60 observation/shadowing hours prior to entering the Professional phase of the program
    1. 20 hours - inpatient hospital or sub-acute setting  
    2. 20 hours - outpatient orthopedic setting  
    3.  20 hours - students’ choice of setting/experience  
  2. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 in all LMU courses at the point of application with a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses.
  3. Students may be required to take the ACT residual offered through College of Education (i.e. transfer students, students with earned associate degrees).
  4. Interview with DPT faculty
  5. Two (2) character references from:
    1. Physical Therapist who can attest to professionalism  
    2. Academic professor or Academic Advisor

Required Undergraduate Courses

  • Gen. Chem. (CHEM 111 & 112 with labs)
  • Gen. Bio. (BIOL 111 &112 with labs)
  • Integrated Vert. A & P (2 courses)
  • Gen. Physics (PHYS 211 & 212 with labs)
  • Intro to Psych (PSYC 100)
  • Child/Adolescent Dev., Abnormal Psych., OR  related Psych course (3 credits)
  • Statistics (MATH 270)

Recommended Undergraduate Courses

  • Medical Terminology (AHSC 300)

Program Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Effective April 27, 2021 Lincoln Memorial University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 865.338.5680 or email DPTKnoxville@LMUnet.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

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