» Frequently Asked Questions

For early decision, the application deadline is in August. For the regular admission cycle, applications to enter the summer cohort are due in October and applications to enter the fall cohort are due in December.

Early decision is for competitive applicants who only want to pursue one school. If accepted through early decision, the applicant is unable to apply to any other school and is obligated to submit an enrollment deposit.  Please visit the PTCAS website for specific early decision GPA and GRE requirements.

The application is considered for the regular admission process and the applicant is able to apply to other schools.

There are approximately 1400-1800 applicants per year. 

Yes, you just need to resubmit an application through PTCAS during the next application cycle.

The cohort size is 48 for the fall and 32 for the summer cohort.

No, Chapman does not require an additional supplemental application.

Application decisions will start in December/January to fill the summer and fall cohorts. Admissions offers will be made over a period of weeks or months and will conclude when the class roster is full. Applicants will be denied if they do not meet the minimum admission requirements. Candidates who are not initially offered admission, but do meet the minimum requirements, may be given consideration for placement on a wait list at the discretion of the admissions team.

The deposit amount for the DPT program is $500, non-refundable.

No, Chapman does not require formal interviews as part of the admissions process.

No, Chapman does not require letters of recommendation as part of the admissions process.

3.0 (regular admission); 3.5 (early decision)

3.0 (regular admission); 3.5 (early decision)

Regular Admission:                Early Decision:

Verbal: 146                             Verbal: 152

Quantitative: 144                    Quantitative: 148

Analytical: 3.5                         Analytical: 4.0

Chapman’s DPT program GRE code is 7669.

A bachelor’s degree in any area of study is required.  All applicants must complete all required prerequisite courses.

• Anatomy with lab
• Biology 1 with lab
• Biology 2 with lab
• Chemistry 1 with lab
• Chemistry 2 with lab
• Physics 1 with lab
• Physics 2 with lab
• Physiology with lab
• Statistics
• Human Behavior

Click here for a detailed prerequisite course requirements and limitations. This list may also be found on the PTCAS website.

Human anatomy and physiology must be completed within 5 years of the application deadline.  All other prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of the application deadline.

All prerequisite coursework must be complete prior to matriculation into the DPT program. No more than two science prerequisite courses and one human behavior or statistics prerequisite course (a total of three prerequisite courses) may be incomplete after the semester in which the application is submitted.


Pass/Credit grades for prerequisite courses will be converted to a C if letter grading options are not available.


Yes, prerequisite courses can be taken at a community college.

Courses which received advanced placement credit (AP or CLEP) may fulfill prerequisite requirements. The credit hours and grade points will not be computed in the pGPA calculation.


You need a minimum of 40 hours of observation in any type of setting.  The hours must be supervised under a licensed physical therapist.

No, Chapman does not give priority to in-state applicants. 

No, Chapman does not accept DPT transfer students.

No, Chapman does not offer an online entry level DPT program.

The program is 36 months long, on a trimester system (15 weeks each trimester).

The summer cohort will begin in April. The fall cohort will begin in August.

All PT classes are located at the Rinker Health Science Campus: 9501 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, CA 92618.

It is recommended that students do not work while in the program.

As of 2017-2018, the cost per academic year is $42,516.

Yes, the physical therapy department offers minimal fellowships as a non-renewable award for one’s outstanding academic profile. All candidates who matriculate into the entry level DPT program will be considered. Other scholarships and grants are available here.

Please make an appointment to visit the Rinker Campus. Visitors may RSVP for a tour here. If the calendar does not reflect dates/times which align with your schedule, please contact cudptadmissions@chapman.edu for alternative accommodations.

“PTCAS requires you to report any felony convictions. Physical therapist programs may require criminal background checks or drug tests in order to verify your eligibility to participate in clinical education, to confirm your eligibility for PT licensure, and to ensure patient safety.”

http://www.ptcas.org/ApplicationInstructions/Document/