Admission Requirements-Professional Pathway

Admission Requirements

Licensed Allied Health Professional Pathway

The ACHE School of Physical Therapy offers a Licensed Allied Health Professional Pathway for qualified healthcare professionals seeking admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.

This pathway recognizes the depth and rigor of allied health education and the value of prior clinical experience within the healthcare system. Qualified applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree and an active or eligible-for-renewal professional license may satisfy prerequisite coursework requirements by completing Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory coursework, totaling eight credit hours.

Applicants applying through this pathway are not required to complete the additional traditional prerequisite coursework requirements in chemistry, biology, physics/biomechanics, or psychology.

Admissions & Eligibility Requirements

Applicants applying through the Licensed Allied Health Professional Pathway must:

Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Complete Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory coursework totaling eight credit hours with a grade of “C” or better from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Two (2) letters of recommendation from a faculty member, current employer, physical therapist, or other person with knowledge of the applicant’s character and abilities.

-Licensed Allied Health Professionals must include a letter of recommendation from a person with knowledge of the applicant’s allied health professional practice.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent residency card. ACHE does not accept international students.

All official transcripts, including coursework currently in progress, must be submitted through PTCAS as part of the application verification process (PTCAS available, beginning mid-June).

Hold an active or eligible-for-renewal professional license issued by a recognized jurisdictional, state, or national governing body.

Have a scope of practice that includes direct patient care or clinical decision-making responsibilities.

Other licensed allied health professionals may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Documentation Requirements

Applicants applying through the Licensed Allied Health Professional Pathway may be required to provide documentation including, but not limited to:

Current professional license information

Issuing jurisdiction and license status

Employment verification

Professional references

Description of current or recent clinical responsibilities

Proof of continuing education

All credentials must remain in good standing throughout the admissions review process.

Meeting eligibility requirements for the Licensed Allied Health Professional Pathway does not guarantee admission or an interview invitation. All applicants undergo a holistic admissions review process.

Application Process

Step 1: Submit PTCAS Application

The official PTCAS application is available online at PTCAS.
The PTCAS application cycle opens June 15, 2026. The PTCAS application deadline for the 2026-2027 cohort for the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education DPT program is April 1, 2027.

Step 2: Interview

After ACHE PT receives all application materials, the applicant’s file is reviewed to determine eligibility for an interview based on the established criteria of the ACHE PT Admissions Committee. If the application is found to be competitive, an invitation to interview may be extended.

Step 3: Admission Decision

ACHE PT operates on a rolling admission basis and begins offering seats after the first interview date. Generally, applicants will receive an admission decision approximately two weeks following their interview.