ECU’s Greenville DPT program requires applications through both PTCAS and the ECU Graduate School, plus Casper. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 cumulative and 3.25 prerequisite GPA, 100 physical therapist observation hours and two recommendations. ECU prefers North Carolina residents and interviews selected applicants on campus.
- Program
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Credential
- DPT
- Location
- Greenville, North Carolina, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 32 actual class size
- Length
- three years
Casper Requirement for East Carolina University Physical Therapy
East Carolina University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- PTCAS ID
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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East Carolina University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- PTCAS and ECU Graduate School application
- Application fee
- $75 ECU Graduate School application fee; PTCAS lists $175 for a first program and $75 for each additional program.
Complete both the PTCAS and ECU Graduate School applications. ECU does not require transcripts sent separately to its Graduate School as part of the DPT application.
East Carolina University Physical Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: 2025-2026 application cycle
- Seats / class size: 32 actual class size
- Applicants: 331 complete applications
- Average GPA: 3.92 overall GPA
- Average prerequisite GPA: 3.90
ECU reports complete applications, actual class size, and average overall and prerequisite GPA by cycle.
Eligibility Requirements for East Carolina University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
Complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university before the DPT program begins.
- Residency
ECU gives admission preference to North Carolina residents. Out-of-state applicants may apply.
- Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents; international applicants are not considered.
Non-U.S. coursework is not accepted.
Other requirements
- North Carolina residency determination: Applicants seeking in-state classification must obtain an NC Residency Determination Number.
Selection Factors East Carolina University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General chemistry I and II | 8 semester hours with lab C or better |
| General physics I and II | 8 semester hours with lab C or better |
| Biology and physiology/anatomy | 12 semester hours with labs: 8 biology plus 4 human or mammalian physiology, or 4 biology plus 8 human physiology and anatomy C or better |
| College algebra or higher | 3 semester hours C or better |
| Statistics | 3 semester hours C or better |
| Psychology, including general or introductory psychology | 6 semester hours C or better |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Overall, prerequisite and science GPAs include courses taken at four-year and two-year/community colleges. AP prerequisite credits may count if shown on a transcript, but their grades do not enter prerequisite GPA. Only one grade replacement is allowed per content area.
- Minimum
- 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.25 prerequisite GPA
Strengthen weaker areas with post-baccalaureate coursework if needed.
Admissions tests
- GRE (not required): ECU does not list GRE scores among its DPT admission requirements.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete 100 hours observing a physical therapist through volunteering, shadowing or paid work. Varied settings are preferred; hours beyond 100 receive no extra credit.
Supplementary application
Submit two recommendations in PTCAS; one must come from a licensed physical therapist who supervised you in a clinical setting.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants must meet ECU’s degree, GPA, prerequisite, observation, recommendation, citizenship and application requirements. ECU gives preference to North Carolina residents and offers selected applicants an on-campus interview; it does not publish a numerical interview or offer-ranking formula.
Interview Format at East Carolina University
Format: Interview
Selected applicants attend a face-to-face interview on campus; ECU does not specify a one-faculty-member format.
- Who is invited
- Applicants offered an interview.
- When
- Dates for the next application cycle have not been published.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at East Carolina University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- three years
- Structure
Begins with an 11-week summer session in Year 1 covering foundational courses. Subsequent semesters include advanced topics and electives. Emphasizes clinical preparation through integrated coursework and hands-on experiences.
Includes PTHE 8900 Special Topics, where students select from offered electives. Plan elective choices based on career interests in areas like pediatrics or sports therapy. Access the DPT Student Handbook for detailed syllabi, names, and resources.
Campus and facilities
Greenville, North Carolina.
Tuition and Funding at East Carolina University
- 2025 fact sheet: three-year in-state tuition: $22,952
- 2025 fact sheet: three-year in-state total program cost, including fees and other program expenses: $58,891
- 2025 fact sheet: three-year out-of-state tuition before any residency change: $86,496
The estimates include $3,606 per year for health insurance; students covered by other insurance generally do not pay that charge. Costs may change. ECU lists DPT scholarships and graduate assistantships.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a selective process. Students report feeling both excited and nervous before interviews and say that practicing interviews boosts confidence.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your East Carolina University Physical Therapy Application
- Check ECU’s exact prerequisites and GPA minimums.
- Arrange 100 hours observing a physical therapist in varied settings.
- Request two recommendations, including one from your supervising licensed physical therapist.
- Complete both application services and allow time for processing.
- Check ECU’s published Casper schedule when the next cycle opens.
- If seeking NC in-state classification, complete residency determination.
- Practice for an on-campus interview if invited.
Frequently Asked Questions About East Carolina University Physical Therapy
Is Casper required for East Carolina University DPT admissions?
Casper is required. ECU has not published next-cycle sittings or a score deadline.
What is the average GPA for East Carolina University DPT accepted students?
Minimums are 3.0 cumulative and 3.25 prerequisite GPA; the reported class averaged 3.92 and 3.90, respectively.
Does East Carolina University DPT require the GRE?
ECU does not list GRE scores among its DPT admission requirements.
What is the interview format at East Carolina University Physical Therapy?
Selected applicants interview face-to-face on campus; ECU does not specify a one-on-one format.
How much are East Carolina University DPT tuition costs?
ECU’s fact sheet estimates $22,952 in three-year in-state tuition and $58,891 in total program costs, including fees and other program expenses.
Can out-of-state students apply to East Carolina University DPT?
Out-of-state U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply; ECU prefers NC residents.
What observation hours are needed for East Carolina University DPT?
Complete at least 100 hours observing a physical therapist; varied settings are preferred.
When is the PTCAS deadline for East Carolina University DPT?
ECU has not published the next PTCAS and Graduate School deadlines.
Sources
- ECU Prospective Students
- ECU Applicant Data & Program Outcomes
- ECU Graduate School Application Process
- ECU 2025 DPT Financial Fact Sheet
- APTA PTCAS Application Requirements Summary
- Acuity Insights Dates and Fees
- ECU DPT Curriculum
Last updated: September 26, 2026