Tennessee State University in Nashville offers a three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program entering in summer. Applicants apply through PTCAS and need both prerequisite and overall GPAs of at least 3.0, GRE and Casper assessments, and documented observation in two PT settings. TSU reviews applications holistically and invites selected applicants to on-campus interviews.
- Program
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Credential
- DPT
- Location
- Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- October 1, 2026 (Complete and verified PTCAS application)
- Interview
- One-on-one interviews
- Length
- Three years
Casper Requirement for Tennessee State University Physical Therapy
Tennessee State University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Score distribution deadline
- October 1, 2026
- Distribution fee
- The $85 USD Casper fee includes distribution to up to seven programs; additional reports cost extra.
All published test dates for the 2026-2027 cycle have passed. Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Select TSU as a score recipient when registering. Casper is mandatory before interview and is considered alongside the rest of the application, without a fixed weight.
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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Tennessee State University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- PTCAS
- Application fee
- The standard PTCAS application fee applies; check PTCAS for current rates.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Complete and verified PTCAS application | October 1, 2026upcoming |
| Casper score distribution deadline | October 1, 2026upcoming |
Official transcripts from all attended schools are submitted via PTCAS.
Tennessee State University Physical Therapy Admissions Statistics
Selections are made once per year.
Eligibility Requirements for Tennessee State University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
Submit official transcripts from every institution attended through PTCAS. At the application deadline, no more than four prerequisites may remain outstanding: up to three science courses planned or in progress that fall and no more than one course the following spring. Complete all prerequisites before matriculation.
Other requirements
- Medical terminology: Recommended preparation; proficiency is required before clinical education.
- Health documentation: Before clinical education: document freedom from communicable disease, required immunizations, annual TB testing, and an annual physical examination.
- CPR and insurance: Before clinical education: AHA CPR certification arranged by the program, health insurance, and professional liability insurance.
- Clinical-site screening and training: Some clinical sites require a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen, or COVID vaccination. Complete program-provided HIPAA and bloodborne-pathogen training before clinical education.
- Seat reservation: Accepted applicants pay a nonrefundable $250 reservation fee, credited toward tuition if they enroll.
Selection Factors Tennessee State University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and physiology | Two-course A&P I-II sequence with labs, or separate anatomy and physiology courses, each with a lab Anatomy with dissection is preferred, not required. |
| Biology | Two biological-science courses with labs at or above General Biology I-II Botany does not qualify. |
| Chemistry | Two general-chemistry courses with labs at or above General Chemistry I-II |
| Physics | Two general-physics courses with labs at or above General Physics I-II Non-calculus physics is accepted. |
| Psychology | One course offered through a psychology department Generally has a PSY or PSYCH prefix. |
| Research or statistics | One introductory course in research and/or statistics for research methodology |
GPA
- How it is calculated
TSU reviews prerequisite and overall GPA separately and considers academic trends in context.
- Minimum
- 3.0 prerequisite GPA and 3.0 overall GPA
- Competitive
- No single GPA defines a strong candidate; TSU reviews applicants holistically.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): Complete the GRE before PTCAS application verification. No minimum score; TSU recommends at least 150 verbal and 150 quantitative, accepts the highest score in each section across sittings, and requires official scores sent to PTCAS using code 7759.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Log at least 40 observation hours across two different physical therapy settings. PT Tech and hospital aide hours count. Provide verifier contact details through PTCAS; PTCAS contacts verifiers directly.
Supplementary application
Submit two recommendations through PTCAS: one from a licensed physical therapist and one from a non-PT reference. References must complete the evaluation/scoring section. Invited applicants complete a brief essay onsite during the interview.
How applicants are ranked
Holistic, mission-aligned review considers grades, GRE, Casper, experiences, recommendations, and applicant context. After interviews, the committee reviews the complete file, including interview and essay performance; offers are made on a rolling basis.
Interview Format at Tennessee State University
Format: One-on-one interviews
On-campus interview day with a series of one-on-one interviews, a brief onsite essay, and a student-led campus and facilities tour. Interviewers may include faculty, alumni, students, and clinicians.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected by the Admissions Committee after the application window closes and complete, verified PTCAS applications are reviewed.
- When
- November and December 2026; exact dates to be announced.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Tennessee State University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- Three years
- Structure
Classroom and laboratory study, research, and clinical education across three years, including summer terms.
- Campuses
- Nashville
The current curriculum includes anatomy, biomechanics, therapeutic interventions, research, and clinical internships. Consult TSU’s current curriculum page and student handbook for course sequences and policies.
Campus and facilities
Located in Nashville, Tennessee. Dedicated labs and simulation centers support hands-on physical therapy training. Clinical affiliations span acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings in the region.
Tuition and Funding at Tennessee State University
Tuition and fees vary by residency and term and may change. Consult TSU’s current Bursar schedules for rates; the program’s published DPT cost table is an estimate based on earlier rates.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a cost-effective environment where resources demand proactive engagement, fostering resilience in a competitive cohort. Students report it as one of the cheapest DPT programs nationally, though the competitive culture requires initiative for resources.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Tennessee State University Physical Therapy Application
- Check each required course and calculate both your prerequisite and overall GPAs.
- Log 40 PT observation hours across two settings and provide PTCAS verifier contacts.
- Take the required GRE and send official scores to PTCAS using code 7759.
- Complete Casper before TSU’s application deadline and select TSU for score distribution.
- Request one licensed-PT and one non-PT recommendation through PTCAS.
- If invited, prepare for on-campus one-on-one interviews and a brief onsite essay.
More About Tennessee State University Physical Therapy
- Institution type
Public HBCU
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee State University Physical Therapy
Does Tennessee State University DPT require Casper?
Yes. Complete Casper before the application deadline and select TSU for score distribution.
What is the minimum GPA for TSU Physical Therapy admissions?
Both prerequisite GPA and overall GPA must be at least 3.0.
Is the GRE required for Tennessee State University DPT?
Yes. There is no minimum score; TSU recommends at least 150 verbal and 150 quantitative. Send official scores to PTCAS using code 7759.
How many observation hours does TSU DPT need?
At least 40 hours across two PT settings; PT Tech and hospital aide hours count. Provide verifier details through PTCAS.
What is the interview format at Tennessee State University Physical Therapy?
Selected applicants attend an on-campus interview day with a series of one-on-one interviews and a brief onsite essay.
When does TSU DPT admit students?
TSU admits a summer entering class. Apply through PTCAS and check the current application deadline.
Is Tennessee State University DPT affordable?
Costs vary by residency and can change; consult TSU’s current Bursar tuition and fee schedules.
Where can I find TSU DPT curriculum details?
See the department’s current DPT curriculum page and linked student handbook.
Sources
- TSU DPT Admissions
- TSU DPT Admissions Requirements, July 2026
- TSU DPT Admissions FAQ, August 2026
- TSU Clinical Education Requirements, July 2026
- TSU DPT Curriculum
- TSU Bursar Tuition and Fees
- Acuity Insights Test Dates and Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026