College of Health Sciences, Glendale Campus

Mission

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

Program Overview

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

The Physical Therapy Program 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. The following areas of practice will be emphasized:

• Development of clinical problem solving skills for examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, assessment/reassessment and discharge planning
• Use of evidence-based practice skills
• Practicing in a culturally sensitive manner with clients of all different ages
• Practicing collaboratively with other members of the healthcare community
• Assumption of leadership positions in the healthcare 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
• Participation in community and professional service

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program uses a curriculum model based on a conceptual framework of educational theory and practice that integrates a spiraled approach within the curricular design. The program is organized to provide correlated events and problems that are experienced sequentially within the didactic curriculum and later through clinical experiences. Students receive a strong content foundation in the biological, physical, clinical, and behavioral sciences and learn to critically apply scientific research and other forms of best evidence to practice. The curriculum provides both simulated and actual clinical experiences across the curriculum. Educational opportunities and activities are provided to enhance student exposure to underserved populations. Students are provided with opportunities for interprofessional collaborative practice, community service, teaching and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an educational environment that emphasizes professionalism, critical thinking, and excellence.

Clinical Education Placements

• Placements for clinical experiences are available in diverse practice environments in a variety of clinical settings.
• Clinical education sites are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas within and outside of Arizona.
• Students must be prepared to travel to any area where clinical placements are available.

Click here to access our full curriculum

Program Goals and Expected Program Outcomes

1. Students and graduates will be competent in providing physical therapy services to a diverse population across all levels of the healthcare continuum.

• Graduates will pass the National Physical Therapy examination.
• Students and graduates will actively engage in inter-professional collaborative practice.
• Students and graduates will be engaged in community outreach programs. 
• Students and graduates will be engaged in health promotion, prevention, or wellness activities.

2. Students and graduates will demonstrate professionalism, independent judgment, clinical problem solving, and leadership.

• Students and graduates will demonstrate professional behavior.
• Students and graduates will utilize evidence-based practice by critically applying scientific research and other forms of best evidence to improve their practice.
• Graduates will assume leadership roles in the community or profession.
• Graduates will assume leadership roles in the clinical setting.
• Graduates will be members of the American Physical Therapy Association.

3. Graduates will have the ability to contribute to didactic and clinical education of future practitioners and to the body of knowledge in the profession.

• Graduates will become clinical educators.
• Graduates will publish in professional magazines or journals or give presentations at local, state, or national meetings.
• Graduates will participate in post-professional continuing education programs
• Graduates will participate in residency and/or fellowship programs, and obtain ABPTS specialist certification.

4. Faculty members will provide high-quality teaching and professional standards, scholarship, and service to the University, community and profession.

• Faculty will provide high-quality teaching.
• Faculty will disseminate scholarly products.
• Faculty will provide service to the University, community, and profession.

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703/706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 623/572-3920 or email azpt@midwestern.edu.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Il 60604-1413; 800/621-7440.

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and a minimum science GPA of 2.90 on a 4.00 scale
3. Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 46 semester/66 quarter credits as listed below from a regionally accredited college or university with 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 7600 **
5. Two letters of recommendation
6. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
7. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
9. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
10. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check
11. Provision of additional documentation needed to meet specific Program requirements
12. It is required that applicants complete a minimum of 60 hours of observation in a physical therapy clinic in at least two practice environments that include both in-patient and out-patient settings. *This observation hour requirement is being waived for the 2021-2022 application cycle*

** The test must have been taken no more than five years prior to the planned enrollment year. For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 800/GRE-CALL or visit www.gre.org

Prerequisite Courses

Application deadline

The Physical Therapy Program uses a rolling admissions process. All applicants are encouraged to submit their applications through the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy Schools ( PTCAS) by the deadline date of December 15th.