Pre-Physical Therapy Preparation at UHMānoa

Text compiled from the American Physical Therapy Association website at www.apta.org,
NAAHP’s Medical Professions Admission Guide: Strategy for Success, and the UHM 2006-2007 Catalog.

D.P.T. Programs
Prerequisites for Admission
What makes a strong candidate?
The GRE
Application Process
Additional Information
Downloadable Brochure

Physical therapists evaluate physical disabilities and help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent disabilities. A physical therapist’s responsibilities include the planning, evaluation, administration, and modification of treatment. Physical therapists advise and educate their patients, in addition to providing therapeutic and preventive care.

Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, including private practice, outpatient rehabilitation centers, hospitals and clinics, sports facilities, skilled nursing facilities, community and government health agencies, and home health agencies. Although most are involved in practice, some physical therapists conduct research or teach in higher education.

Although some programs still offer Master of Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) degrees, most schools have instituted an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree in response to the profession’s increasing complexity and responsibilities.

D.P.T. Programs

Becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, or D.P.T., usually requires 7 or more years of education:

• Bachelors Degree (ca. 4 years);
• Physical Therapy School (usually 3 years);
• Residencies of clinical fellowships (1+ years).

All accredited DPT programs require a completed baccalaureate degree and 2-3 years of specific course work that can often be completed within the baccalaureate. Generally, the DPT program is a 3-year curriculum of combined academic and clinical work. DPTs may opt to complete one or more residencies/fellowships to acquire more specialized training.

Students must graduate from an accredited program in order to be eligible to sit for the licensing exam, a state-administered national exam. Some states have additional requirements, but all physical therapists must be licensed to practice.

Prerequisites for Admission

Most importantly, remember that requirements vary from school to school! It is imperative that you research the programs you are interested in attending; the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website, www.apta.org, includes a Directory of Accredited Physical Therapy Programs.

The following UHM courses are commonly required for admission to physical therapy programs:

Additional requirements may include CPR certification or courses such as English composition, social sciences, humanities, speech or communication, computers (ICS 101), medical terminology (Hlth 110 and 125 at KCC), exercise physiology and kinesiology (KLS 205, 353 and 354/354Lab, 415, 416, 419, 420, 421, 463; Hlth 290/290Lab at KCC), human development and aging (Psy X4X, X7X at UHM, a variety of FamR courses at UHM, or Hlth 270 at KCC), organic chemistry (Chem 152/152Lab or 272/272Lab and 273/273Lab), research methods (Psy 212), and cell biology (Biol 275/275Lab).

Work of volunteer experience involving direct contact with people with disabilities, illness, or other disadvantages is essential. DPT programs may require anywhere from 30 to 200 hours of observation or experience and may request that one of your letters of recommendation come from a licensed physical therapist. Some schools specify a minimum number of different settings for observation/experience, and may even specify a minimum number of hours in each setting. Be sure to check the specific requirements for each school!

Experience opportunities are available at hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, shelters, rehabilitation facilities, etc.; see UHM’s Health and Law Advising Center for a list of possible contacts.

What makes a strong candidate?

Tuition for physical therapy programs, as high as it is, covers only a fraction of the cost of educating a DPT, which means that each new student represents a huge investment. Schools need to be certain that the students they accept will be capable of completing the curriculum and are likely to become good physical therapists.

Are you capable of completing the curriculum?

Admissions committees are looking for students who have
• successfully completed the prerequisites
• earned a Bachelors degree
• a high overall GPA
• a high science/math GPA
• performed well on the GRE
• balanced their course load so it is challenging yet realistic

Are you likely to become a good physical therapist?

Admissions committees look for students who have
• experience in and detailed knowledge of the field
• demonstrated empathy, compassion, and a commitment to public service
• high ethical and moral standards and a conscientious work ethic
• demonstrated maturity (judgment, responsibility, dependability)
• a broad liberal arts education that includes the humanities and social sciences
• a well-rounded life that balances academics, community service, social activities, and personal interests (hobbies, skills, sports, etc.)
• excellent oral and written communication skills
• strong letters of recommendation

The GREs

All accredited DPT programs require applicants to take a standardized test called the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE can be scheduled for almost any day of the year and, starting in September 2007, will be available only in computer-based format. Appointments are scheduled first-come, first-served basis. You can register three ways: 1) via telephone, at 1-800-529-3590, using a credit card; 2) via online at www.gre.org, using a credit card; or 3) via mail, by completing the Authorization Voucher Request Form (found in the GRE Registration Bulletin) and registration fee payment to the designated address.

The GRE requires approximately 3-4 hours and tests your verbal, quantitative (math), and writing skills. Some versions include an ungraded, experimental section. Scores for the verbal and quantitative sections range from 200 to 800, with 800 being highest; scores for the writing section range from 0 to 6, with 6 being highest. Your score report will be mailed to you, usually within ca. two weeks of the test date, and will include not only your scores but also your percentile ranking.

The Application Process

Applications to physical therapy programs must be submitted directly to each individual school. Applications, procedures, and deadlines differ significantly from school to school; it is imperative you begin the application process early, preferably about one year before you plan to attend.

In general, applications include:

• an application form asking for basic information, including volunteer or paid experience in the field;
• a personal statement;
• official transcripts from every institution attended;
• scores from the GRE; and
• letters of recommendation.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the school has received all materials and to verify that the application is complete!

Many schools also require an interview, usually in person. Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred while interviewing, including airfare, lodging, and meals.

• The more you know about the school, the better your chances of being accepted.
• Contact individual schools’ Admissions Offices to find out how they handle:
• advanced placement (AP) credits
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits
• courses taken at a community college
• courses taken for credit/no credit instead of a grade
• residency issues
• time limits on acceptable science courses
• time limits on GRE scores
• course work taken outside the U.S.

Additional Information

UHMānoa’s Pre-Health and -Law Advising Center (PAC) has reference books, lists of volunteer opportunities, academic planning worksheets, and one-on-one advising by peers who can help you prepare for and apply to physical therapy schools.