Georgia Southern University's Savannah-based Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts applications through PTCAS. Applicants need the required GPAs, GRE scores, Casper assessment and 75 hours of supervised physical therapy observation. The program combines systems-based and lifespan learning with full-time clinical placements.
- Program
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Credential
- DPT
- Location
- Savannah, Georgia, United States
- Casper
- Required · CSP-20100
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (Final PTCAS application)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 36 per entering class
- Length
- Nine full-time semesters; 134 credit hours
Casper Requirement for Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy
Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- US Professional Health Sciences · CSP-20100
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required. The final Casper test date has passed; no remaining sitting is listed by the program. Snapshot is not required.
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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Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- PTCAS
- Applications open
- Mid-June 2026
- Application fee
- $175 for the first PTCAS program; $75 for each additional program. No Georgia Southern supplemental fee.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Priority GRE test and score request | August 21, 2026passed |
| Priority PTCAS application and required materials | September 1, 2026passed |
| Final Casper test | September 15, 2026passed |
| Final GRE test and score request | September 25, 2026passed |
| Final PTCAS application | October 1, 2026upcoming |
All candidates enter through PTCAS.
Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy Admissions Statistics
- Seats / class size: 36 per entering class
Enrollment is limited to 36 students per class.
Eligibility Requirements for Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
Complete a bachelor's degree and all prerequisites at a regionally accredited institution before matriculation; any major is acceptable. At least five of eight prerequisite science courses must be complete when applying.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose second language is English may substitute TOEFL 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 80 internet-based for the minimum GRE verbal score.
Other requirements
- Core Performance Standards: Review the standards and answer the PTCAS supplemental question.
- After admission: Accept the seat and pay a deposit; submit the Graduate Studies application, verification of lawful presence and final transcripts.
- Before enrollment: Provide evidence of health insurance, immunization records, health-screening documents and CPR certification.
Selection Factors Georgia Southern University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General chemistry | One-year sequence with labs for science or health-professions majors |
| General physics | One-year sequence with labs for science or health-professions majors Calculus or non-calculus; include mechanics, electricity, magnetism and light |
| Anatomy and physiology | One-year sequence with labs Two combined courses, or one anatomy and one physiology course |
| General biology | One course with lab Botany, ecology and environmental science are not substitutes |
| Statistics | One course Include central tendency, probability distributions and linear regression |
| Social sciences | Two courses Abnormal psychology and human development are recommended |
GPA
- How it is calculated
PTCAS calculates overall and physical science GPAs; coursework completed after submission is not included.
- Minimum
- 3.0 overall and 3.0 physical science GPA
Prerequisites require a C or higher. A D or F may be retaken only once, and no more than two prerequisites may be repeated to earn a passing grade; repeated grades are averaged. Online courses, including labs, and AP credit are accepted; AP credit is excluded from GPA calculations.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): Minimum verbal 146 and quantitative 144. Send scores to school code 7813, department code 0619.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Applicants whose second language is English may substitute a TOEFL score of 600 paper, 250 computer or 80 internet-based for the minimum GRE verbal score.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Complete 75 hours of observation under a licensed physical therapist. Observation across multiple types of clinical practice helps develop an understanding of the profession.
Supplementary application
Submit three references through PTCAS, including one from a physical therapist who observed and supervised you clinically. Review the Core Performance Standards and answer the related PTCAS supplemental question. No separate institutional application or supplemental fee is required.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants must meet GPA and GRE minimums and submit required materials, observation hours and Casper. Applications meeting the priority deadline receive guaranteed full consideration. Admission requires an invitation-only personal interview; the program does not publish a numerical ranking formula.
Interview Format at Georgia Southern University
Format: Interview
A personal interview is required and is scheduled by invitation only.
- Who is invited
- Applicants invited by the program
- When
- October 2026 for priority-deadline applicants; December 2026 for final-deadline applicants.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- Nine full-time semesters; 134 credit hours
- Structure
Systems-based first year followed by lifespan-focused second and third years.
- Campuses
- Armstrong Campus, Savannah
Includes three first-year observation practicums and 32 weeks of full-time clinical practice: one eight-week placement and two 12-week placements.
Campus and facilities
Located in Savannah, Georgia. The public institution provides access to regional clinical sites for rotations. Facilities support simulation-based learning. Plan housing near the Savannah campus, budgeting for in-state tuition advantages if eligible.
Tuition and Funding at Georgia Southern University
The DPT comprises nine full-time semesters of at least 12 credit hours each. For a cost estimate, consult Georgia Southern's Armstrong Campus graduate tuition and fee chart for each applicable term; rates depend on residency and term.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report that a 3.6 overall GPA paired with a 3.34 prerequisite GPA positions candidates favorably, especially when backed by substantial observation hours. Matriculated students describe a structured environment fostering clinical readiness through competency-based assessments. Students report a collaborative culture, with forums like SDN threads facilitating peer updates on applications and experiences. Forums highlight 3.6 GPA, 500 hours, and diverse settings as keys to success in Georgia DPT admissions.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy Application
- Complete the required 75 observation hours under a licensed physical therapist.
- Complete prerequisites and check both overall and physical science GPAs.
- Arrange three references, including one from a supervising physical therapist.
- Review the Core Performance Standards and complete the PTCAS supplemental question.
- Submit transcripts, GRE scores and the PTCAS application by the applicable deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy
Does Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy require Casper?
Yes. Georgia Southern requires Casper; book US Professional Health Sciences (CSP-20100). Snapshot is not required.
What is the minimum GPA for Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy?
Applicants need at least a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 physical science GPA, calculated by PTCAS.
How many observation hours does Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy recommend?
The program requires 75 hours of observation under a licensed physical therapist; experience in multiple clinical settings is encouraged.
Is GRE required for Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy admissions?
Yes. Minimum GRE scores are 146 verbal and 144 quantitative; send scores using school code 7813 and department code 0619.
What are the post-acceptance requirements at Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy?
Admitted students submit a Graduate Studies application, lawful-presence verification, final transcripts, health-insurance evidence, immunization and health-screening documents, and CPR evidence.
Can international students apply to Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy?
Applicants whose second language is English may substitute TOEFL 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 80 internet-based for the minimum GRE verbal score; other admission requirements still apply.
What is the curriculum structure at Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy?
The nine-semester DPT begins with systems-based study, progresses to lifespan-focused study and includes 32 weeks of full-time clinical practice.
How competitive is Georgia Southern University Physical Therapy?
Georgia Southern limits enrollment to 36 students per class and says it receives more applications than available seats. It does not publish an applicant count or a competitive GPA target on its program page.
Sources
- Georgia Southern: Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Liaison: PTCAS Application Fees and Fee Waivers
- Georgia Southern Bursar: Tuition and Mandatory University Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026