Physical Therapy Program Admission

The College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program considers for admission those students who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is open on a competitive admissions basis to applicants having bachelor's degrees in any field but who have not completed an accredited physical therapy program. To select these candidates, a competitive admissions framework has been established. Within this competitive admissions framework, multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available.

The Physical Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy Schools (PTCAS). The Physical Therapy program operates on a rolling admissions basis, with completed applications reviewed throughout the admissions cycle to determine the applicant's eligibility for an interview. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter or spring. Admission decisions are generally made within one month of the interview.

Admission Requirements

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/64 quarter credits as listed below from regionally accredited colleges or universities
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are NOT acceptable)
4. Completion of a total of 30 hours of observation, volunteerism or paid work in a physical therapy setting. These hours must be verified by a Physical Therapist. Additional hours will not strengthen an application
5. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
6. Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
7. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
8. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check
10. Provision of additional documentation needed to meet specific Program requirements
11. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores using the Midwestern University institution code of 4160 are strongly recommended for candidates with a GPA below a 3.2, although not required
    • GRE scores can strengthen an application
    • For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/GRE-CALL or visit www.gre.org

International Applicants

International applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 or visit www.ece.org
• World Education Services (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 or visit www.wes.org
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 or visit www.jsilny.com

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

Click here for more information on International Student Financial Services

Prerequisite Courses

Technical Standards for Admission

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. For example, the physical therapy program requires a candidate to be able to move at least 50 pounds vertically and horizontally.

IV. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.

V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.