Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Direct Admit Pathway

Overview: 

Marist offers a unique pathway to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Accepted Marist students who qualify can gain direct entry into our accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This encompasses a 4+3 year academic program with two options: 

1. Complete a Bachelor’s degree at Marist and enter the DPT program in January of the following year 
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in 3.5 years and graduate following the fall semester. Immediately enter the DPT Program in the spring semester (January). 

Students must meet the following requirements for early acceptance into the Physical Therapy program: 

• First-Year Students: Minimum High School GPA of 90 with some Honors/AP/IB courses 
• Currently Enrolled Marist Undergraduates: Minimum GPA 3.2; must apply no later than the completion of their third year of undergraduate studies

Application Process: 

Students who document their intention to attend the DPT program upon completion of their bachelor’s degree at Marist College will be assigned a faculty mentor in the DPT program. The student and faculty mentor will be to meet at least two times annually throughout their undergraduate experience. Students will be guaranteed acceptance into the Marist College DPT program provided they meet the following criteria: 

• Input an application in The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), for data collection purposes only. 
• Earn their baccalaureate degree at the time they begin classes in the DPT program (January) 
• Graduate from Marist College with a 3.2 cumulative GPA or higher 
• Earn a 3.2 GPA for the DPT program science prerequisite courses with no grade below “C” 
• Submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from a Marist College faculty member) 
• Complete and document Clinical Observation Hours in PTCAS (minimum of 40 hours, preferably in at least two settings) 
• Attended all required meetings with designated faculty mentor

About the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Marist is accredited by CAPTE and will prepare you for a successful career in the rapidly expanding field of Physical Therapy. 

The Marist DPT facility is housed in the Allied Health Science building which includes a physical therapy skills lab, research lab, and a technologically advanced suite of clinical simulation labs, including trauma, surgery, and traditional examination rooms. In addition, the facility has a full gross anatomy laboratory that supports the learning experience. Graduates of this program have seen tremendous success in turning their passion for helping others into meaningful careers in physical therapy.