Physical Therapy
Content
CAREER FACTS
PT’s are licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility. Scope of practice includes examining individuals and using individual treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Provide care for people in a variety of settings that often require them to touch patients frequently. Professional Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), or Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT).
PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Note: Students should contact individual schools for prerequisite information. These are suggested courses based on what some schools require and/or suggest: 1 year Biology w/lab MCB 150/151, IB 150/151 1 year Chemistry w/lab CHEM 102/103, 104/105 1 year Physics PHYS 101, 102 1 year Anatomy & Physiology w/lab MCB 244/245, 246/247 Calculus (integral and differential) MATH 220 Statistics STAT 100 Social or Behavioral Sciences (many suggest Psychology and/or Abnormal Psychology) Medical Terminology CLCV 102 Grades of C or better are required in all prerequisite courses.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Admissions Test: GRE Clinical Experience: Most programs will want to see exposure to the field. It is recommended for students to work/volunteer/observe PTs in more than one setting. UIC requires 40 hours of shadowing, and a licensed PT must document each experience. For many PT programs, PT observation hours forms must be submitted (either through PTCAS or a school application). GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.5-2.75 is required for most programs. More than 75% of programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0, and average GPA’s for admitted students are closer to 3.5 and up. Letters of Evaluation: Most programs require 2-3 letters of evaluation. Generally a letter from a practicing PT is required along with at least one academic performance letter (from an instructor). PTCAS or individual schools provide forms for Letters of Evaluation. Students should refer to school-specific information regarding letter requirements. Interviews: Many programs invite qualified candidates for an on campus interview. Most programs require CPR certification.
The web directory of CAPTE accredited physical therapist education programs can be found on the APTA website (www.apta.org).
www.careercenter.illinois.edu
Last updated 28-Sep-11
PHYSICAL THERAPIST CENTRALIZED APPLICATION SERVICE
Students apply through PTCAS, the centralized application service used by most physical therapy programs. All of the Illinois schools participate. Students will complete a web-based application including biographical information, schools attended, academic coursework, work/volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, PT observation hours (for certain schools), and a personal statement. A limited number of fee waivers are available for financially disadvantaged applicants. Students wishing to apply to non-PTCAS schools should visit the schools’ websites for application instructions. The PTCAS website is www.ptcas.org.
ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
Bradley University (DPT) Governors State University (DPT) Midwestern University (DPT) Northern Illinois University (DPT) Northwestern University (DPT) Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science (DPT) University of Illinois at Chicago (DPT) www.bradley.edu www.govst.edu www.midwestern.edu www.niu.edu www.medschool.northwestern.edu www.rosalindfranklin.edu www.ahs.uic.edu
RESOURCES
American Physical Therapy Association Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service Pre-PT Club Explore Health Careers www.apta.org www.ptcas.org www.union.illinois.edu/involvement/rso www.explorehealthcareers.org
PT’s are licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility. Scope of practice includes examining individuals and using individual treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Provide care for people in a variety of settings that often require them to touch patients frequently. Professional Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), or Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT).
PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Note: Students should contact individual schools for prerequisite information. These are suggested courses based on what some schools require and/or suggest: 1 year Biology w/lab MCB 150/151, IB 150/151 1 year Chemistry w/lab CHEM 102/103, 104/105 1 year Physics PHYS 101, 102 1 year Anatomy & Physiology w/lab MCB 244/245, 246/247 Calculus (integral and differential) MATH 220 Statistics STAT 100 Social or Behavioral Sciences (many suggest Psychology and/or Abnormal Psychology) Medical Terminology CLCV 102 Grades of C or better are required in all prerequisite courses.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Admissions Test: GRE Clinical Experience: Most programs will want to see exposure to the field. It is recommended for students to work/volunteer/observe PTs in more than one setting. UIC requires 40 hours of shadowing, and a licensed PT must document each experience. For many PT programs, PT observation hours forms must be submitted (either through PTCAS or a school application). GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.5-2.75 is required for most programs. More than 75% of programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0, and average GPA’s for admitted students are closer to 3.5 and up. Letters of Evaluation: Most programs require 2-3 letters of evaluation. Generally a letter from a practicing PT is required along with at least one academic performance letter (from an instructor). PTCAS or individual schools provide forms for Letters of Evaluation. Students should refer to school-specific information regarding letter requirements. Interviews: Many programs invite qualified candidates for an on campus interview. Most programs require CPR certification.
The web directory of CAPTE accredited physical therapist education programs can be found on the APTA website (www.apta.org).
www.careercenter.illinois.edu
Last updated 28-Sep-11
PHYSICAL THERAPIST CENTRALIZED APPLICATION SERVICE
Students apply through PTCAS, the centralized application service used by most physical therapy programs. All of the Illinois schools participate. Students will complete a web-based application including biographical information, schools attended, academic coursework, work/volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, PT observation hours (for certain schools), and a personal statement. A limited number of fee waivers are available for financially disadvantaged applicants. Students wishing to apply to non-PTCAS schools should visit the schools’ websites for application instructions. The PTCAS website is www.ptcas.org.
ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
Bradley University (DPT) Governors State University (DPT) Midwestern University (DPT) Northern Illinois University (DPT) Northwestern University (DPT) Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science (DPT) University of Illinois at Chicago (DPT) www.bradley.edu www.govst.edu www.midwestern.edu www.niu.edu www.medschool.northwestern.edu www.rosalindfranklin.edu www.ahs.uic.edu
RESOURCES
American Physical Therapy Association Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service Pre-PT Club Explore Health Careers www.apta.org www.ptcas.org www.union.illinois.edu/involvement/rso www.explorehealthcareers.org
