Doctor of Physical Therapy
Our Department of Physical Therapy has created a substantive Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum that is grounded both in today’s practice and in the profession’s expanding role in patient diagnosis and care.
The DPT coursework will provide you with the substantial base of knowledge you’ll need to enter the profession. We’ll take you through movement and neuroscience to diagnostic imaging and orthopedics. Our graduates will enter the profession with a thorough understanding of the human body, the nature of injury, and the therapies that lead to recovery and improved function.
Admission to the DPT program is competitive, and only a limited number of applicants will be admitted. Each applicant’s strengths are evaluated under several factors associated with the successful completion of our program and passing the licensure examination.
GovState offers an on-campus entry-level doctor of physical therapy degree for those interested in starting a career in physical therapy.
The Physical Therapy program takes approximately three years to complete; each admitted class will begin its coursework in the first Fall Semester following admission.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Job Opportunity Potential at Governors State University (GSU)
Chicago Proximity – Located near Chicago, a major hub for business, technology, healthcare, and logistics.
STEM & Business Careers – Strong demand for graduates in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Business (MBA, Accounting, Finance).
Healthcare Pathways – GSU is well-known for Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Administration, with excellent placement in hospitals and clinics.
Internships & Co-ops – Access to internships with Fortune 500 companies and Chicago-based firms in finance, consulting, tech, and manufacturing.
OPT & STEM OPT – Eligible programs provide up to 3 years of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.
Teaching & Counseling – Education, Social Work, and Counseling programs prepare students for careers in schools, universities, and community organizations.
Government & Non-profit Careers – Public Administration and Leadership graduates often find roles in policy, community development, and NGOs.
Entrepreneurship Support – GSU’s Small Business Development Center helps students start and grow businesses.
Networking – Strong alumni network and career fairs connect students with employers in Illinois and nationwide.
On-Campus Jobs – Opportunities to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a Master’s or Doctoral program at GSU, international applicants generally must satisfy the following:
Bachelor’s degree
You need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution. If your degree is from outside the U.S., you must have it evaluated (course-by-course) by a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
There may also be minimum GPA criteria depending on the college/program, e.g. the College of Business expects a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on the U.S. 4.0 scale) over the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
The minimum acceptable score for IELTS (Academic version) for Graduate level is 6.0.
TOEFL Format = 80
For PTE, the required minimum is 53.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
77130 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 75 USD