Physical Therapy in Glendale

Fast Facts

Degree

Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Successful completion of prerequisute courses
• GRE General Test scores
• Completion of first aid course
• Current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers

Length of Program

36 months, full-time

Class Size

50

Clinical Education Placements

Community, Urban, Rural, Teaching Hospitals; Geriatrics; Pediatrics; Orthopedics/Sports Medicine Clinics; Schools; Skilled Nursing facilities

Career Opportunities

Evaluation and treatment, screening, education, referral, consultation, wellness promotion and prevention

US Employment Projections through 2014

Need for physical therapists predicted to grow much faster than average — more than a 27% increase, compared to other professions — to serve individuals, elderly, those with disability and/or limited function

Mean Salary Range (2005, US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

$65,000

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
3. Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 44 semester/64 quarter credits as listed below from regionally accredited colleges or universities
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are NOT acceptable)
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores using the Midwestern University institution code of 4160
   • The test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2006.
   • For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/473-4373 or visit www.gre.org
5. Completion of a first aid course within the past three years
6. Current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers (enrolled PT students must also maintain CPR certification at the BLS level)
7. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
8. Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
9. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
11. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check

Prerequisite Courses

Program Description

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Glendale campus, is a full-time continuous, 36 month entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum that is open on a competitive admissions basis to applicants holding bachelor's degrees in any field but who have not completed an accredited physical therapy program. Each applicant must have the following generic abilities:

• Commitment to learning
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Effective use of time and resources
• Use of constructive feedback
• Problem solving
• Professionalism
• Responsibility
• Critical thinking
• Stress management

Each graduate, from Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program, Glendale campus, will be instructed to provide patient care, display the core knowledge to discuss prevention, onset, and impairments, address functional limitations and a plan of care based upon goals and expected outcomes.

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University's Glendale Campus provides its students with the broad based professional education necessary for each physical therapy graduate to become a generalist clinician. Therefore, competency is required in each of the physical therapy courses. Each of the goals and all of the expected outcomes are related to the development of practice skills by graduates. Expected outcomes related to these practice skills include:

• Development of the basic clinical problem solving skills of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, assessment/reassessment and discharge planning
• Use of evidence-based practice skills
• Practice in a culturally sensitive manner with clients of all different ages
• Practice collaboratively with other members of the health care community
• Assumption of leadership positions in the health care delivery system
• Development of an orientation toward prevention, health, fitness and wellness
• Development of skills to establish programs that address prevention of disease, injuries, and disabilities
• Participate in community and professional service
• Participate in clinical teaching and research.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, graduates will be expected to:

0. Demonstrate competence: graduates will be prepared as entry-level practitioners who will possess the educational and clinical foundation that they will need to provide physical therapy services in all areas of practice and all physical therapy settings.
0. Possess critical thinking skills: graduates will demonstrate independent judgment, clinical problem solving, leadership and autonomous practice.
0. Become dedicated to health care and community service: a foundation is developed for graduates that will enable them to identify and contribute to effective solutions to the major emergent health issues of society and apply their skills to meet other community needs.
0. Develop proficiency in teaching and scholarship: a foundation is developed for graduates that will enable them to contribute to the didactic and clinical education of future practitioners, as well as to the body of knowledge of the profession.

Objectives are accomplished through:

• A curriculum model that is based upon a conceptual framework of educational theory and practice:
• A spiral pattern of learning that permits continual integration at increasingly complex levels of understanding
• A strong content foundation in the physical, clinical, and behavioral sciences
• Problem-based and case-based learning experiences integrating scientific knowledge with clinical expertise
• An emphasis on critical thinking, clinical decision making, outcomes analysis, and evidence-based practice
• An educational environment designed to promote learning
• Opportunities for teamwork, delegation, supervision, and leadership
• Several professional course sequences requiring students to build on prior knowledge and expand their skills
• A sequence of simulated and actual clinical experiences across the curriculum
• Team teaching methods

Program Strengths

Evidence-based practice; health promotion and wellness programs; cultural competency

Mission of the MWU Physical Therapy Program

The Physical Therapy Program of Midwestern University will use the highest educational and professional standards to prepare entry-level physical therapists who can provide quality physical therapy services to a diverse population across all levels of the health care continuum.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Glendale, is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org). By September 1, 2009, the program will submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status nor does it assure that the program will be granted Accreditation.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Il 60602; 312/263-0456.

FILING A COMPLAINT WITH CAPTE

CAPTE's complaint process can be found on the APTA web site.

Related Links

MWU Physical Therapy Program in Downers Grove

Physical Therapy as a Career

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapists

Physical Therapist Online

Physical Therapy magazine