Slippery Rock University is a public university in western Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1889 as a teacher training school, it's now part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Physical therapy, exercise science and safety management are some of its best-known programmes. The town is small, and campus life is busy.
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, United States
Official website: sru.edu
1889
Public university, PASSHE
About 50 miles north of Pittsburgh
$14,000 – $22,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
$11,000 – $14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on sru.edu before you apply.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctoral DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
Prerequisites, TOEFL: 80
BS Exercise Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BS Safety Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
MS Data Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
A long-established physical therapy doctorate.
Exercise science and safety management programmes.
A public university with low fees.
Physical therapy graduates work in clinics and hospitals after US licensing.
Safety management graduates join manufacturing, energy and construction firms.
Data analytics graduates work in Pittsburgh's healthcare, finance and tech sectors.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Selected programmes
The campus is large and green, with a lake and trails. Most students live on campus or within walking distance of the small town centre.
Pittsburgh is about an hour's drive south for jobs, sports and the airport. Winters are snowy, and costs are low.
Form I-20 issued by Slippery Rock University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Slippery Rock reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply at least three months ahead. The physical therapy doctorate has an earlier, fixed deadline.
Most programmes start in fall and spring. The physical therapy doctorate admits one cohort a year.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Slippery Rock University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Exercise science, safety management, computer science and data analytics are popular. Undergraduates need a secondary school diploma and IELTS 6.0. Graduate programmes need a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
Slippery Rock offers merit scholarships to international undergraduates at admission. Graduate assistantships are available in some departments.
