MCG Catalog > School of Allied Health Sciences > Physical Therapy > Admissions Requirements

 

School of Allied Health Sciences: Physical Therapy

 

Admissions Process

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the Medical College of Georgia uses a rolling admissions process that begins August 1 and ends December 15. Under this process applications are considered as soon as they are complete. Completed applications must include all official transcripts, completed reference forms, and official GRE score reports. Well qualified applicants will be invited to Augusta for interviews. Admissions decisions will generally be made within two 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 an applicant’s interest to apply at the earliest possible date and we strongly encourage you to do so.

 

Required Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisites include 1 year (2 semesters) of physics (w/lab); 1 year of anatomy and physiology (w/lab), 1 year of chemistry (w/lab); one course in Biology with lab; and one course in statistics. Knowledge of human behavior from an individual and societal perspective is requires, as evidenced by completing at least two courses in the social sciences. We strongly recommend abnormal psychology, human growth and development, and developmental psychology.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses.

 

Minimum Requirements:

	Baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than physical therapy.
	Minimum 3.0 (out of 4.0) GPA overall or 3.4 in last 40 hours of undergraduate coursework.
	A combined (verbal and quantitative) GRE score of 1000 and minimum score of 400 on each section is required for full admission. Otherwise qualified applicants who achieve a combined GRE Score 900-1000 may be considered for provisional admission if space allows.
	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.
	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.

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.