Accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Admission

What is the Accelerated (3+3) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program? 

1. Save time and money by earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and your bachelor's degree in six years rather than seven. The 3+3 accelerated program allows qualified students enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program (Biology, B.S. - Human Dynamics) at the University of South Dakota to apply early and, if accepted, begin the DPT program in place of their 4th year of undergraduate work. This will allow you to use the first year of graduate level coursework to complete your bachelor's degree. 
2. Students interested in the 3+3 program should: 

• Submit the intent form for the 3+3 program by add/drop deadline of your third semester
• Earn 92 undergraduate credits by the end of your junior year (meet with your adviser to review the required coursework)
• Meet all major, distribution and testing requirements by the end of your junior year
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Receive a letter of recommendation from a professor teaching in the undergraduate accelerated program attesting not only to the student’s intellectual strengths, but specifically addressing the student’s maturity, work ethic, and overall readiness for graduate school; (in addition to the recommendation required as part of the standard PT admissions process).
• Complete all standard admission requirements to the USD Physical Therapy program including submission of the PTCAS application no later than the first working day of December of the year before you plan to enroll in the physical therapy program (i.e., fall of your junior year). Application is encouraged by the posted priority admission deadline of mid-August for best chance at interview/admission.
• Obtain your final degree audit from the Office of the Registrar attesting that you have successfully achieved all minimum requirements (93 credits, including major, distribution and testing requirements) prior to enrolling.

3. Meeting all requirements does not guarantee admission to the USD physical therapy program. All students must apply and be considered on the merits of their applications. 
4. 3+3 participants will pay standard undergraduate tuition and fees and receive federal financial aid under the rules for undergraduate students during the first three years as an undergraduate student. Once the student is admitted to the Physical Therapy program and begins the first-year course of study, you will be billed and receive funding as a PT student. 
5. Review the Program Checklist to ensure you are meeting all program requirements. 

If you need further assistance, please email Becca.Jordre@usd.edu