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Additional Graduate Education Opportunities for Physical Therapists (MHE and MS)
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Career Opportunities in Health Science
Physical Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Print Version (2 page PDF file)
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Medical College of Georgia is designed to challenge talented and ambitious students to grow into autonomous health care professionals. Graduates are qualified to sit for the state-administered national licensure examination.
Our learner-centered curriculum emphasizes active learning, problem-solving skills, and evidence-based practices. Our primary goal is to prepare reflective individuals who possess the technical proficiency and problem solving capabilities sufficient to enable the safe, efficient and effective practice of physical therapy in a rapidly changing health care environment.
The program requires 3 academic years and three summers (9 semesters, 36 months) of full-time study. A new class enters in May of each year and graduates 3 years later. Classes are scheduled in a traditional weekday format at the main campus in Augusta.
Required Prerequisites
Candidates for the DPT degree must hold a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than physical therapy from a regionally accredited US or Canadian institution prior to enrollment. Please note that you can apply to our program before completing all of the prerequisites but you must have a reasonable chance of completing all the requirements by the time you would actually enroll in the DPT program.Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all of the following prerequisite courses.
Course |
Credit hours |
|
General chemistry (with laboratory) |
One academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) |
|
General physics (with laboratory) |
One academic year |
|
General biology (with laboratory) OR Anatomy & physiology (with laboratory) |
One academic year |
|
Advanced biology (i.e., not botany, ecology or environmental biology) OR Movement science (e.g., exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology) |
One course that has general biology as a prerequisite OR One course that has anatomy & physiology as a prerequisite |
|
Statistics |
One course |
|
| Social Science (i.e., psychology, sociology, or anthropology) | Two courses | |
Minimum Requirements:
■ 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 score of 1000 and minimum score of 400 on each section is required for full admission.
■ 100 hours of observational, volunteer or other work experiences in physical therapy settings. 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.
■ 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply? Applications for the class to be seated in May 2009 will be accepted from August 1 through December 15, 2008. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Medical College of Georgia uses a rolling admissions process. Well qualified applicants will be invited to Augusta for interviews soon after their applications are complete, including all official transcripts, reference forms, and official GRE score reports. Admissions decisions will generally be made within four weeks of the interview date. The best qualified candidates will be offered either a full or contingent admission until the class is fully enrolled. A waiting list of otherwise qualified applicants will be maintained. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is limited to an enrollment of 36 students/class year. It is in the applicant’s interest to apply at the earliest possible date and we strongly encourage you to do so.
Must I complete all prerequisites before I can be accepted?
No. We can consider your application before you have completed all prerequisites. Your application will be more competitive if you have completed the science
prerequisites, especially physics and anatomy/physiology. If you have not completed them, indicate where and when you plan to take each course. Be sure to confirm that the courses you need will be offered the semester you plan to take them. You must have documentation of completing all prerequisite courses before registration, so allow time for final official transcripts to reach the Office of Academic Admissions.
What information is considered during the admission process?
We review the overall grade point average, prerequisite grade point average, grade point average over the last 40 semester hours of course work attempted and GRE
scores to determine who is qualified for a personal interview. At that point, criteria include the interview, writing ability, overall attributes of the candidate and
references. Three references are required that focus on your ability to be successful in a clinical setting. At least one must be from a physical therapist, although a physical therapist reference form from each of the clinical settings you have observed is recommended.
Will any particular undergraduate major enhance my chance of acceptance? No. As long as you have completed the prerequisite courses, your undergraduate major doesn't matter. We recommend that you major in an area that you enjoy without regard to whether it will help you enter our program.
When will I know if I have been accepted?
Soon after your interview, we will send you a letter with our decision. If you are accepted, you will have a deadline by which to inform the Office of Academic Admissions of your intention to enroll.
When does the program start and how long does it last?
The program begins in May and continues for nine consecutive semesters
(36 months). Graduation occurs in May of the third year.
Is the program full time?
Yes. Courses are taken sequentially on a full-time basis; part-time study is not available. We strongly discourage off-campus employment while enrolled in our program. Classes generally meet from 9:00 to 4:00 Monday through Friday. Most students find that class preparation, attendance and study require 40-60 hours per week. The Office of Financial Aid is very helpful in finding alternative financial resources, and some work-study programs are available on campus.
What type of experience is needed?
To ensure that you have adequately explored physical therapy and are confident in your career choice, we require at least 100 hours of experience in a wide variety of
physical therapy settings (rehabilitation, acute care, sports medicine, pediatrics, etc.). We recommend that at least 20 of these hours occur in an inpatient hospital
setting. We prefer direct patient contact or observation. Experience in a different health field, such as nursing, does not fulfill this requirement. More than the minimum number of required hours of experience may strengthen your references but are not ranked as part of the admission process.
Are out-of-state students accepted?
We give preference to in-state residents but do accept a limited number of out-of-state students. To determine if you qualify as an in-state resident, contact the MCG
Office of Academic Admissions at (706) 721-2725 or (800) 519-3388.
How can I learn more about your program?
The Office of Academic Admissions regularly schedules Closer Look Tours for all departments, including physical therapy. The programs provide campus-wide
information and faculty interaction in specific departments. To register for a visit, complete this online form or call (706) 721-2725 or (800) 519-3388.You may apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program by completing an online application form or by contacting:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building-Administration
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: (706) 721-2725
Toll free: 1-800-519-3388
Fax: (706) 721-7279
email: gradadm@mcg.edu
For more information about the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at MCG
e-mail us at: ptadmissions@mcg.edu, or contact the department at
(706) 721-2141.
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