Students may be inducted into the National Honor Society only one time during their enrollment in the academic program.
Academic Criteria:
- Ranked in top 25% of applicant’s cohort and in good academic standing
- Successfully completed a minimum of 60% of the DPT program in which they are currently enrolled. Sixty-percent of program completion may be calculated based on total number of academic credit hours or number of courses where letter grades are assigned
- It is suggested that students apply in the final year of their program
- Student member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Student is matriculating in a member institution of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT)
Service or Research Criteria:
- Service Criteria: For the purpose of the National Honors Society “service” is defined as, “Voluntary contributions made by a student to the school, community, or profession provided without receiving personal compensation or academic credit”
- Research Criteria: ACAPT recognizes that some students may be immersed in research which may not allow time for service. Therefore, we suggest that you highlight examples of your research activities in response to the following criterion:
- If you actively participated in any research project(s) that was NOT required as part of the physical therapy program
- Also indicate if the research you did involved PT faculty from your academic program, faculty from other academic disciplines, or no faculty involvement
Leadership Criteria:
- According to standards of the ACAPT National Student Honor Society, a student should submit exemplars of leadership consistent with the mission of the APTA in “Building a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.”
- Characteristics of leadership strength include:
- Serves as a role model for others
- Integrity in personal actions
- Promotes the profession of physical therapy
- Aspires to greatness in collaboration and mentorship
- Motivates and inspires positive behaviors in others
- Challenges the process when appropriate
- Demonstrates initiative
- Demonstrates innovation and resourcefulness
- Creates a spirit of community
- Acts with good moral judgment
Sample behaviors (inclusion/exclusion criteria)
- Positions held in which the applicant served in leadership roles
- Roles that helped motivate and inspire others
- Roles in which the applicant organized and managed a group of people to achieve a goal
- Leadership roles from multiple examples
- Applicant should demonstrate involvement in leadership roles that specifically improve the profession
- Helping fellow students achieve professional goals
- Leadership roles at school
- Involved with school-based student physical therapy associations
- Involved in state roles or special interest groups
- Involved in national roles representing the school
- Applicant should demonstrate good moral character
- No prior record of “behavioral blemishes”, educational and/or other
- Applicant should provide documented proof of leadership positions
Other Criteria:
In addition to the research, service, and leadership options above, we recognize applicants may have other extracurricular activities in the community or on campus that are NOT related to healthcare and/or physical therapy (e.g., service to community and religious organizations; volunteering at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter; new student orientation volunteer on campus, etc.). Applicants should be sure to add an entry for all such considerations in this category.
Selection Process:
View the scoring rubric and factors for those who are eligible to nominate applicants.