Pre-Physical Therapy Path

We have an articulation agreement with the physical therapy program at Clarkson University to help you gain acceptance.

A bachelor’s degree including the following prerequisite courses:

• A grade less than 2.0 (C) is not acceptable for any pre-requisite course
• Overall GPA for all required courses must be at least a 3.20
• Overall SUNY Plattsburgh undergraduate GPA must be no less than 3.20
• Graduate in good standing with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh.

All applications to the DPT program must be submitted using the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) (www.ptcas.org). Applications without all required materials will be held until completed, and will not be reviewed until completed. The Department will make an effort to contact applicants whose applications are not complete using the address provided on their application form (if already submitted). It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Department of any change of address to ensure continued communication.

Interview with Clarkson PT faculty. The Clarkson faculty will be invited to participate in the SUNY Plattsburgh PHPAC but a separate interview may also be required.

A total of three letters are required, one of which must be from a physical therapist. A second letter must come from the SUNY Plattsburgh Health Science Committee.

50 verified hours of observation or volunteer experience in health care activities, of which 35 must be in a physical therapy practice.

SUNY Plattsburgh students who have met all the standards must complete the application process by October 5th of the year prior to potential admission to the program to be offered a reserved place in the graduate physical therapy professional program.

The Clarkson faculty establishes acceptance criteria consistent with the Mission of Clarkson University and the Department of Physical Therapy. These criteria are reviewed by the faculty each year prior to reviewing applicants for that year. Each application is reviewed, and decision is by faculty consensus. The Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy notifies students of their status. All students are accepted on a conditional basis until all requirements have been met by the student, and documented by the Department. The admissions committee at Clarkson University will make the final decision based on overall strength of the application using program admission standards.

SUNY Plattsburgh and Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences have developed a collaborative agreement to provide qualified students from SUNY Plattsburgh who wish to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences preferred admission as indicated below. This collaborative agreement provides for:

• Preferred acceptance into the Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences for students who have completed occupational therapy program course prerequisites and with completed application;
• Waiver of the Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences application fee;
• Early acceptance;
• Access to Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences advisors to coordinate undergraduate electives and coursework to reduce or eliminate prerequisites in the graduate program;
• Opportunity to apply early for graduate assistantships at Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences

Terms of the Agreement: Physical Therapy Admission

SUNY Plattsburgh students will receive preferred admission to the Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences for the doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) degree, who demonstrate the following:

1. Earned baccalaureate degree
2. Minimum overall 3.25 GPA that includes the completion of doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) program prerequisite courses with grades of C or better and a 3.0 prerequisite science GPA (see prerequisite courses listed below)

To be given priority in placement in the DPT Program students agree to submit the following information by June 1 of the year preceding graduation from the SUNY Plattsburgh:

1. Complete application online via the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
   • The career goals essay & resume can be submitted with the online application.
   • Submission of a clear and concise personal essay supporting the applicant’s rationale to pursue a DPT as a degree.
   • Submit Clinical Observation Document 40 hours of clinical observation with a Physical Therapist; preferably in at least two settings.
   • The supplemental forms can be emailed as attachments to [email protected] this includes: clinical observation form, program prerequisite record, DPT program academic standards statement.
2. Email the PT department, [email protected], and Russell Sage College School of Health Sciences Graduate Admissions, [email protected], indicating application has been submitted via articulation agreement with indicated school.
3. Submit official transcripts from all college institutions attended to PTCAS.
4. Submit one letter of reference from the SUNY Plattsburgh faculty, or another academic mentor, and at least one additional recommendation letter.



Within 30 Days of Acceptance:

5. Make enrollment deposit of $500 (non-refundable, though to be applied toward graduate tuition)



Upon Graduation from SUNY Plattsburgh:

6. Submit all final transcripts documenting completion of undergraduate degree and DPT program prerequisite courses to PTCAS

By June 1 of the year preceding graduation from the SUNY Plattsburgh