Get Started
To apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, here’s what you need to know:
Academic Prerequisites
Bachelor’s Degree
To be considered for admission to the DPT program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or regionally accredited university within the United States prior to the start of orientation.
Grade Point Average
A minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. A minimum science grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or higher is recommended. No grade lower than a C will be accepted for prerequisite coursework.
AP credits will be considered for non-science prerequisites, but all science prerequisites (biology, chemistry and physics) must be completed for graded credit.
Required Courses
The courses below are required for admission; you may apply while coursework is in progress. Coursework completion is required prior to matriculation, and pending coursework during the application cycle is acceptable.
- Anatomy — 1 Course with Lab
- Physiology — 1 Course with Lab or a two-course sequence in anatomy and physiology with lab.
- Exercise physiology does not fulfill the physiology requirement
- Biology — 2 Courses
- Labs required, when available
- Botany is not accepted
- General Chemistry — 2 Courses
- Two-semester sequence is preferred
- Labs required, when available
- Physics — 2 Courses
- Two-semester sequence is preferred.
- Labs required, when available
- Psychology — 2 Courses
- Statistics — 1 Course
Highly recommended courses include biomechanics, kinesiology, exercise physiology, genetics, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, math (trigonometry or calculus)
Observational Experiences
Applicants are required to observe physical therapists at work for at least 25 hours. The most competitive applicants will have observed in a variety of inpatient and outpatient physical therapy settings. While applicants have until matriculation to complete the physical therapy observation requirement, at least 15 total hours of observation must be complete at the time of application to be considered for an interview. Observations may be in-person or virtual.
Entering Class Averages
DMU’s admitted DPT classes average about 66 students.
Successful applicants typically present cumulative GPAs around 3.65 and science GPAs near 3.45, along with quality observation experiences with physical therapists in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
These figures represent overall trends, not minimum requirements.
Other Important Requirements
Technical Standards
A candidate who is seeking a DO, DPM, MSPAS, DPT or OTD degree at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences must be capable of completing core educational requirements and achieving the competencies in the basic and clinical sciences. DMU seeks to develop candidates who have a deep and robust health science or medical knowledge base and outstanding clinical skills, with the ability to appropriately apply them, effectively interpret information and contribute to decisions across a broad spectrum of medical situations and settings.
The critical skills required to be successful are outlined in the academic catalog and include the ability to observe, communicate and perform motor functions, as well as to understand, integrate core knowledge and skills and to behave appropriately in varied educational and professional situations.
We encourage you to review the DPT program’s comprehensive technical standards. For information about accommodations, refer to the Accommodations in Education Policy.
Background Checks
Complete a criminal background check, which may include a drug screen, as well as Iowa Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Registry checks through the DMU preferred vendor and process. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation. The cost of this process will be paid by the student. Students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions that occur following completion of the initial criminal background check. Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check. DMU students are required to complete annual criminal background checks, which may include drug screening, while enrolled at DMU.
Residency Status
At DMU, all students enrolled in on-campus programs must be either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Permanent resident applicants must provide a notarized copy of their permanent resident card (green card) prior to matriculation. Please be aware of the potential impact if your permanent resident card (green card) expires and is not renewed, or you do not obtain U.S. citizenship, during your enrollment at DMU. In such a case, you would no longer be eligible for federal financial aid, and because you would no longer meet the enrollment requirements, you could be dropped from enrollment in your coursework.
Note: Applicants with a permanent residency status of “pending” are not eligible for admission.