PhD in Physical Therapy/Therapist (PhD)

Tuition is $12,800 per semester.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a full-time, on-campus program delivered over nine semesters, or three years. Students complete 30 weeks of full-time clinical internships in acute care, outpatient, and specialty settings. The program emphasizes patient-centered care through experiential learning and service opportunities in the community.

The program requires 120 credits, including coursework, clinical internships, and a capstone experience. All didactic and clinical courses must be completed at Brenau University.

Graduates enter practice as entry-level physical therapy clinicians after passing the National Physical Therapy Examination and obtaining state licensure.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Required materials include official transcripts, 40 hours of observation experience, three letters of recommendation, and an APTA essay. GRE scores are optional.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-ground, full-time, 3 years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 87% of applicants.

Brenau University brings together a Historic Gainesville Campus, Downtown Gainesville Campus, Gainesville East Campus, North Atlanta Campus and online study options. Its Gainesville address places the university in Gainesville, Georgia, while the Norcross location extends its reach toward the Atlanta area. Students can experience a multi-campus structure and choose a learning format that fits their goals and schedules.

More than 145 years of educating students has produced a university organized around four academic colleges: the Jacobs College of Business and Media, Carole Ann Daniel College of Education, College of Fine Arts & Humanities, and Ivester College of Health Sciences. Coursework is career-focused, with small classes and dedicated professors. The university lists a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and its programs include fields such as occupational therapy, dance, education and marketing.

International students should expect a community-oriented study environment where connections with professors are part of the academic experience. Brenau also offers financial aid counseling for undergraduate and graduate students, with guidance on available assistance and college costs. Its flexible campus and online approach may be useful for students comparing in-person study in Georgia with programs that can fit different routines. The university enrolled 2,451 students and conferred 614 degrees during the 2024-2025 academic year.