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Application

Admissions Requirements
The application process for the doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology Program involves the following components:

  • Application to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology Program
  • Application to the Graduate School
  • GRE Test Scores
  • Letters of Recommendations
  • Formal Interview
  • Career Statement

Applicants must meet all general admission requirements of the university. Admission requirements include a superior grade point average in cumulative undergraduate and graduate course work (if applicable). In addition, applicants should score at least 600 in each area of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and have some research experience. Students admitted for the Master of Science degree are not automatically admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy program. The Master of Science is not required as a prerequisite to the Ph.D. but may be advised.

Applicants must have a personal interview with the program faculty. A student can be considered for admission only when a member of the full-time Ph.D. faculty has agreed to serve as the student’s Ph.D. advisor. Three letters of recommendation and duplicate transcripts must be sent to the Division for preliminary evaluation, although final acceptance is based upon the official USC application procedure.

Prerequisites
The prerequisite for applicants to the Ph.D. program in biokinesiology is either: (a) a bachelor’s degree or higher with a science major or equivalent; or (b) a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy with appropriate basic science content. Courses completed at the time of application must include work (with appropriate laboratory study) in chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology. Course work in anatomy, physiology, histology, cell biology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biochemistry, trigonometry, analytical geometry and calculus is highly recommended.

Candidates should be computer literate. International applicants will be considered on a special evaluation of credentials.

Students deficient in certain prerequisites may be admitted subject to completion of requirements within two years after admission; An additional year may be granted upon review of the student’s program by a faculty committee member. Work in any prerequisite subject will not be part of the required 60 units for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Application Procedures
Submit the following documents with the completed Divisional Application:

  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended. Please request transcript to be sent directly to the Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy.
  • Photocopy of your Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Career Statement
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • TOEFL scores (for International applicants only)
  • Photocopy of your USC Graduate Admissions Application
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation. Letter of recommendation must be in a sealed envelope. (Evaluators may send letters of recommendation directly to the program)

Applicants are required to have a personal interview. Please contact Virginia Orcasitas, Admissions Coordinator, for scheduling interviews at (323) 442-2890.

Submit following documents with the USC Graduate Application:

  • Completed USC Graduate Application
  • Non-refundable Application Fee
  • Official Transcript from each college or university attended. Please request transcripts to be sent directly to USC Office of Admissions. International applicants must also send a certified English translation of transcripts. International applicants must also send a certified English translation of transcripts.
  • Official TOEFL scores for International applicants
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be sent by the testing service directly to
  • USC Office of Graduate Admissions
    • USC Institution Code: 4852
    • Dept. of Physical Therapy Code: 0619
  • A Completed financial statements (for International student only)

Decision Notification:
An early decision of your application is dependent upon the completeness of both the Divisional Application and USC Graduate Application.

Application Deadline
The Application deadline for Fall semester start date is November 1.  The Application deadline for Spring semester start date is June 1.  Please note that faculty approval is required to submit an Application for the Spring start date.

Application to the PhD in Biokinesiology Program

Application to the Graduate School
A USC Graduate Application can be processed on-line or e-mail USC Graduate Admissions at: gradadm@usc.edu to obtain an application.

Contact Information
For more information or to request an appointment, contact Chris Powers, PhD, PT, Program Director at powers@usc.edu or (323)442-1928