DPT Physical Therapy at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy on the Vermillion campus has been CAPTE accredited since 1993 and enrolls 34 students per cohort. It includes five full-time clinical experiences plus integrated one-day clinicals throughout the curriculum, and a concurrent 3+3 B.S. in biology (human dynamics)/DPT route.

Faculty: School of Health Sciences | Department: Physical Therapy | Intake: Fall (July), 34 students | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Faculty include board-certified clinical specialists in sports, orthopedics, geriatrics and neurology; the 3+3 route requires 91 undergraduate credits including PT prerequisites before 29 DPT credits count toward the undergraduate degree.

Career pathways

Prepares graduates to practise as physical therapists.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applications go through PTCAS and may be submitted in the final year of undergraduate study; transfer credits, prior programme time and work experience are not accepted toward the degree. International applicants have additional requirements.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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