GENERAL INFORMATION

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

A new class of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students enters in May of each year and graduates after 36 months of continuous full-time study. Applications for the DPT class entering in May 2010 will be accepted beginning 1 August 2009 and are reviewed using a ‘rolling’ admissions process. Under this process, applications are considered as soon as they are complete. Complete applications must include all official transcripts, completed reference forms, and official Graduate Record Examination score reports. Enrollment is limited to 36 students/class year and it is likely that the incoming class will be filled before the 15 December 2009 application deadline. Once the incoming class has been fully enrolled, qualified candidates will be placed on an alternate list in the order that their applications were received. Consequently, it is in the prospective student’s best interest to complete and submit all application materials early and we strongly encourage them to do so.

REQUIRED PREREQUISITES

Candidates for the DPT degree must hold a bachelors degree in a discipline other than physical therapy prior to enrollment, preferably from a regionally accredited US or Canadian institution. In addition, prospective students must have earned a grade of C or higher in all of the following prerequisite courses. Please note that candidates may apply before completing all of the prerequisite courses but must have a reasonable chance of completing all the requirements by the time of enrollment in the DPT program.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The following minimum requirements must be met before an application will be considered. Applicants should understand that the selection process is competitive and that satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

● Minimum 3.0 (out of 4.0) cumulative GPA or 3.4 GPA over the last 40 hours of coursework completed.

● Minimum GPA of 2.80 in the prerequisite science/statistics courses..

● A combined (verbal and quantitative) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 1000 and minimum score of 400 on each section is required for admission.

● A score of at least 3.0 on the Analytical Writing portion of the GRE.
● At least 100 hours of observational, volunteer or other work experiences in physical therapy settings is expected. We strongly recommend experiences in both inpatient and outpatient environments in order to appreciate the differences in physical therapists' responsibilities in each setting.

● Three recommendations that focus on the applicant’s aptitude for clinical work rather than just academic ability. These should be from rehabilitation professionals and at least one must be from a physical therapist.

● A personal interview is required for admission. Interviews are by invitation only and include an assessment of the candidate's personality, motivation and ability to adapt successfully to the demands of physical therapy school.

● Basic understanding of medical terminology is required as part of the physical therapy curriculum. This requirement can be met by taking a course prior to enrollment or by completion of a self-paced text during the first semester of enrollment.
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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
In addition to specific academic requirements, candidates for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must have aptitude, abilities, and skills in the following five areas in order to meet the full requirements of the program’s curriculum.

● Sufficient intellectual capacity to fulfill the curricular requirements of the program.
● Ability to effect communication with patients, colleagues, instructors and other members of the health care community.
● Physical ability to learn and implement the various technical skills required to prepare for the independent practice of physical therapy.
● Sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stress, uncertainties and changing circumstances that characterize health care practice.
● Social attributes and behaviors required for full use of intellectual abilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective therapeutic relationships with patients and clients.

The faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy acknowledge Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and PL 103-336, The Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider for admission, promotion and graduation candidates who demonstrate the ability to perform the essential skills listed in the department’s technical standards document. These standards are admission guidelines and are subject to continuing revision and improvement.

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School of Allied Health Sciences | Medical College of Georgia

Please e-mail comments, suggestions or questions to: riwilson@mcg.edu
October 23, 2009