The DPT program is a two-year, ten-month, full-time program.
Yes, interviews are a required part of the admission process for the Duke DPT program. All interviews will be conducted virtually for the 2026–2027 application cycle.
No. Most coursework takes place during traditional school and business hours, between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with only a few classes scheduled in the evening.
Duke University is a private institution and does not have a residency requirement. Geographic location has no influence on acceptance, and tuition is the same for all students.
No. Applicants can major in anything as long as the required prerequisite courses are completed.
Successful applicants need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Click here for more information.
The Duke DPT program does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, applicants with a GPA of 3.4 and higher are most successful.
The mean GPA of entering DPT students from the 2025-2026 admissions cycle was 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. We also separately calculate the overall natural sciences GPA (basic biology, physics, and chemistry courses). The mean overall natural science GPA was 3.6, and the mean prerequisite GPA was 3.7.
Yes, Duke DPT accepts AP courses taken in high school, as long as your undergraduate institution awarded credit for them and the credit appears on your undergraduate transcript with the course subject clearly identified.
If a course is repeated both grades will be factored into the cumulative undergraduate GPA and overall science GPA. However, when calculating the prerequisite GPA, the highest grade received will be used.
The only prerequisites that have a time limit are the anatomy and physiology prerequisites. They must have been completed within five years of application.
Prospective students are welcome to apply before completing all prerequisite coursework. However, the Admissions Committee strongly recommends completing as many foundational science courses as possible prior to application, particularly Anatomy and Physiology. All prerequisite courses and admissions requirements must be completed before matriculation. Official transcripts verifying completion of required coursework and fulfillment of all admissions requirements must be received and verified by the program prior to the start of classes in August.
Maybe. The DPT Admissions Committee will consider course substitutions. The applicant must submit as much information about the course as possible (course description, syllabus, detailed outline of topics covered, etc.). This information can be emailed to the Duke DPT Admissions Office at dptadmis@dm.duke.edu. The Admissions Committee will review this information and make the final decision as to whether the course substitution is accepted.
The GRE is not required by the Duke DPT program.
The Duke DPT program does not accept transfer credits from other physical therapy programs.
DPT Admissions Committee members encourage all qualified individuals who are interested in physical therapy to apply to the program. Each year, the Duke DPT program enrolls approximately 108 students.
On-campus housing is extremely limited for graduate and professional students. Most Duke DPT students live in local apartment complexes within the Durham community. The Duke DPT Admissions Office sends out housing information to all accepted students to help with their transition to Durham.
At the time of application, 50 verified observation hours with a licensed physical therapist are required (paid and/or volunteer hours will be accepted). The Admissions Committee encourages applicants to observe in various clinical settings and specialties. All hours must be completed in person; virtual hours are not accepted.
The Interprofessional Education Care Center, supported by the Duke University School of Medicine and Duke School of Nursing, provides programs and pathways for engaging in interprofessional collaborative learning and practice.
The Duke DPT program offers a doctorate degree that includes all basic aspects of physical therapy. While the program does not offer specialties, there is an opportunity for emphasis in specialty areas through advanced practice courses, clinical affiliations, and research.
Students are required to complete a scholarly project as part of the evidence-based practice courses included in the program's curriculum. DPT faculty are involved in various research, and students are also able to apply to assist current faculty members on research projects that interest them.
Salaries for physical therapists vary according to factors such as geographical location, type of practice, and years of experience. Median salaries can be found via the APTA website.