DOCTOR of PHYSICAL THERAPY
STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Application: Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
Deadline for PTCAS applications: September 1, 2025
Classes begin: May 18, 2026

The LSU Health Shreveport Doctor of Physical Therapy Program accepts applications for admission via the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants should send all application materials (e.g., transcripts, GRE) directly to PTCAS. Applicants should NOT send any application documents directly to the Physical Therapy Program or LSU Health Shreveport.

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Residency
Preference will be given to Louisiana residents. Information regarding establishing LA residency may be obtained on the Office of the Registrar's website.

MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum admission requirements for application to the Physical Therapy Program:

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class in the PT Program. 

Minimum average math/science GPA of a 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale). 

• Undergraduate math/science grades are used in calculation of the average. Math/science classes are defined as courses with subject headings of biology, zoology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, math, physics, statistics, etc.
• Courses with subject headings of kinesiology, community health, exercise science, health promotion, etc. are NOT considered part of the math/science GPA; even though they may meet prerequisite requirements.

• The LSUHS DPT Program allows up to 8 hours of grade forgiveness. This means that if an undergraduate science/math course is repeated at a 4-year university, the higher grade will be substituted (up to 8 hours).

• The LSUHS DPT Program uses whole number quality points to calculate science/math GPAs; therefore, plus/minus grades are converted to whole grades. A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0

Minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from within the last five years sent to GRE DI code 7739:

• 285 combined quantitative and verbal scores. The highest composite score is accepted; Superscoring section-specific scores is not allowed.

• 3.0 from the analytical writing portion of the GRE. The highest overall score is accepted.

Grade of “C” or better in required pre-requisite courses from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class in the PT Program:

• English Composition (6 hours)

• Advanced English Composition, Technical Writing, or Exposition (3 hours)

• Chemistry (8 hours) – Lab based

• Biology/Zoology (8 hours) – Lab based

• Advanced Biology (3 hours) – Recommended: Histology or Cell Biology

• Physics (8 hours) – Lab based

• Anatomy (3 hours) – Recommended: Human Anatomy

• Physiology (3 hours) – Recommended: Human Physiology

• Mathematics (3 hours) – Must complete a math course of at least one level above college algebra. For example, if a person takes algebra 1, they would also need to take a 3 credit trigonometry course, algebra 2, calculus 1, etc. 

• Psychology (6 hours) – Recommended: Abnormal Psychology, Growth and Development

• Statistics (3 hours) – Behavioral or Experimental

• Public Speaking (3 hours)

• Medical Terminology (1 credit) 
  Credits in Statistics may be used to meet Math requirements if taught in the Math Department.
  Credits in Statistics may be used to meet Psychology if taught in the Psychology Department.

At least 60 hours of practical experience in physical therapy. Practical experience must be under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Earned a minimum of 30 hours from each site.

Selected applicants, after initial processing of applications, will be contacted to arrange an interview.

Accepted students must certify that they meet the technical standards established by the program with or without reasonable accommodations.

Please note : Accepted students are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements set forth by the Office of the Registrar. As part of the pre-matriculation requirements, accepted students are required to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers of acceptance are contingent on passing both.

Important Application Information:

• The LSU Health New Orleans and Shreveport campuses have separate admissions. Prospective students may apply to one or both of the programs. If a student desires to apply to both programs, they must submit an application to each campus.