Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and Physician Assistant Studies program welcomed new classes of students following a highly selective admissions process. The three-year, full-time DPT Program enrolled 46 students while the 24-month, full-time PA Program enrolled 38 students.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn along with the directors of Elon’s Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, Kim Stokes and Charity Johansson, and the graduate admissions team welcomed the newest cohorts of students to the two graduate programs.
Orientation took place at the Gerald L. Francis Center on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Of the 3,240 applications for health science graduate programs at Elon University, 5.5% were admitted and 84 talented health care students began their studies at Elon. These 84 new health sciences graduate students represent 28 states and six countries including several who are dual-citizens and nine Elon alumni.
During Kohn’s remarks, students received acorns as they learned about the symbolism of the oak at Elon University. Elon is Hebrew for “oak,” with the university’s students typically receiving an acorn as they begin their time and Elon and an oak sapling as they graduate, symbolizing their growth. “Pay attention to your beginnings, but also think ahead on how you progress after graduation,” Kohn said, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and connection post-graduation. The students were divided by program and began their first day of classes that afternoon.
Please welcome the newest members of the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs to the university community.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026
The 46 students in the program’s Class of 2026 have an average GPA of 3.56 and an average GRE score of 300. Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program has built a reputation for excellence since its creation in 1996 and enrolled its first doctoral students in 2003. In 2016, the program was reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE).
Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2025
The newest Physician Assistant Studies cohort, the Class of 2025, consists of 38 students with an average GPA of 3.70 and 6,800 health care experience hours. Elon University enrolled the program’s charter class in 2013, making this cohort the 12th class. The Physician Assistant Studies program achieved a milestone in 2016 when it gained recognition and continued accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the national accrediting body.