NAU offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and a hybrid format. Apply through PTCAS with the required Casper assessment, GRE scores, prerequisites, and two recommendations. Interviews are not part of admission.
- Program
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Credential
- DPT
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- October 15, 2026 (Priority review deadline)
- Interview
- No interview
- Length
- 25 months, full time
Casper Requirement for Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy
Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Casper assessment for the 2026-2027 PTCAS application cycle
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete Casper outside PTCAS before NAU reviews your application. NAU lists a $70 Casper assessment fee; select NAU for score distribution through Acuity Insights.
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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Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- PTCAS
- Applications open
- June 15, 2026
- Application fee
- $175 for the first PTCAS program; $75 for each additional program. Applicants offered a seat also complete a $75 NAU graduate application.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Priority review deadline | October 15, 2026upcoming |
| Final review deadline | May 3, 2027upcoming |
Eligibility Requirements for Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, completed before starting the DPT program
- Citizenship
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and visa holders permitted full-time study and unpaid internships may apply. Students requiring an F-1 visa are accepted for the residential Flagstaff program.
- Language proficiency
TOEFL required for international students unless they hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher.
Applicants may have a maximum of three prerequisite courses in progress at submission, but all must be completed with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) before matriculation.
Other requirements
- Offer acceptance: Accept through the Qualtrics form within 6 days of the offer.
- NAU graduate application: Complete within 13 days of the offer; $75 fee.
- Seat deposit: Pay the non-refundable deposit within 20 days of the offer; it is applied to first-semester tuition.
- Arizona clinical clearance: Students must be able to obtain and maintain an Arizona Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance card; clinical sites may require an additional background check.
- Conditions of admission: Finish the degree and prerequisites, update outstanding coursework in PTCAS, and send official degree-confirming transcripts to NAU before starting.
Selection Factors Northern Arizona University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry I and II with labs | 8 semester or 12 quarter hours A qualifying course sequence is required. |
| General Physics I and II with labs | 8 semester or 12 quarter hours A qualifying course sequence is required. |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 8 semester or 12 quarter hours A&P I and II with labs, or anatomy with lab plus physiology with lab. |
| General Psychology | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours |
| Statistics | 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum
- 3.0
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required; each prerequisite needs a C or better.
Admissions tests
- GRE (required): No minimum score or test-age restriction. Send official scores from ETS to PTCAS using NAU PTCAS GRE code 7668.
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Required for international students unless they earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. college or university.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
PT observation is recommended, not required; there is no required number of hours. Experience may be paid or volunteer, inpatient or outpatient, under a licensed physical therapist. NAU recommends breadth of settings.
Supplementary application
Submit two recommendations: one from a physical therapist and the other from a physical therapist, professor, advisor, supervisor or employer, or health care professional. Include the essay or personal statement required by the application.
How applicants are ranked
The NAU DPT Admissions Committee reviews verified PTCAS applications against program requirements and makes admission decisions. Casper must be completed before review. Applicants meeting requirements may be waitlisted after seats fill; interviews are not used.
Interview Format at Northern Arizona University
Format: No interview
Interviews are not part of the admissions process.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- 25 months, full time
- Structure
A 90-credit, competency- and entrustment-based curriculum with coursework, capstone work, and three clinical education experiences of 8, 12, and 12 weeks.
- Campuses
- Phoenix Bioscience Core
The DPT program includes both didactic study and clinical education experiences to prepare learners to become health professionals in the career of physical therapy. Each cohort progresses through competency-based assessments, ensuring readiness for contemporary practice.
Campus and facilities
The residential Phoenix DPT program is at the Phoenix Bioscience Core in downtown Phoenix. NAU also offers a Flagstaff residential program and a hybrid option with online coursework and periodic campus immersions.
Northern Arizona University's Mission and Values
NAU's DPT program creates transformational educational experiences and prepares graduates to provide person-centered, value-based care.
Our mission is to create transformational educational experiences
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the program culture as supportive, with access to student interest groups covering nearly every specialty and perks like free gym passes. Students report strong NPTE preparation from the longitudinal curriculum design. One accepted student noted: "My name is Makali Gomez and I received my acceptance letter from NAU for the Phoenix Biomedical campus in January."
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy Application
- Complete required prerequisites and plan to finish your bachelor's degree before starting the program.
- Choose the Casper assessment cycle matching your PTCAS cycle and check Acuity Insights for available sittings.
- Request two recommendations, including one from a physical therapist.
- Send official GRE scores to PTCAS using NAU code 7668.
- Seek supervised PT observation across settings; hours are recommended, not required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy
Does Northern Arizona University Physical Therapy require Casper?
Yes. Complete the Casper assessment for your PTCAS application cycle outside PTCAS before NAU reviews your application.
What is the minimum GPA for NAU Physical Therapy admissions?
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
Are GRE scores required for Northern Arizona University DPT?
Yes. There is no minimum or test-age restriction; send official scores to PTCAS using NAU code 7668.
What is the interview format at NAU Physical Therapy?
NAU does not interview DPT applicants.
How many references does NAU Physical Therapy need?
Two: one from a physical therapist and one from a permitted academic, health care, or workplace referee.
Can I have prerequisites in progress for NAU DPT application?
Yes. Up to three may be in progress; finish all before starting, with a C or better in each.
What are NAU Physical Therapy Casper test dates?
Select NAU and your application cycle in Acuity Insights' Dates and Fees selector for available sittings and the score-distribution deadline.
Where is NAU Physical Therapy DPT located?
Residential programs are offered in Phoenix at the Phoenix Bioscience Core and in Flagstaff; a hybrid option is also available.
Does NAU DPT prepare for the NPTE?
The DPT curriculum includes coursework and clinical education preparing students for physical therapy practice.
Sources
- NAU DPT Admissions
- NAU DPT Frequently Asked Questions
- NAU DPT Program Overview
- NAU DPT Curriculum and Outcomes
- NAU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog
- PTCAS Application Cycle Dates
- PTCAS Application Fees
- Acuity Insights Casper Dates and Deadlines Help
Last updated: September 26, 2026