Physical Therapy (M.P.T.)

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to the ,Graduate School Admission Requirements , applicants are required to write and submit essay on a topic specified by faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy and demonstrate an understanding of the scope of physical therapy practice by volunteer or paid experience with a licensed physical therapist. Satisfactory scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and three letters of recommendation are required, including one from a physical therapist and one from a teacher qualified to evaluate undergraduate academic success and potential for graduate study.

To qualify for Regular Admission, applicants are expected to have completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of coursework. In addition, applicants must have completed the following courses prior to admission: 6-8 semester hours of human anatomy and physiology; 6-8 semester hours of general chemistry; 6-8 semester hours of general physics; 3 semester hours of statistics; and 6 semester hours of social sciences. All science courses must include laboratory components. Applicants must have successfully completed all outstanding pre-requisite courses prior to enrolling in physical therapy courses. The department accepts only full-time students. Criminal background checks may be required for clinical internships.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Graduation from an accredited program is prerequisite for licensure as a physical therapist in North Carolina and other states in the United States. Additional information about the program’s accreditation is available through the department or the American Physical Therapy Association.

Program Description

The Master of Physical Therapy degree program requires a minimum of 78 semester hours of approved coursework, including full-time clinical internships. The curriculum consists of basic sciences, physical therapy sciences, scientific inquiry, clinical logic, and clinical internship sequences.

In addition to the academic requirements, students are expected to adhere to the technical and professional standards of the program. For the most up to date information regarding these standards, program suspension, and termination refer to the program’s web site at the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Completion of the following coursework and successful performance on a comprehensive examination are required for graduation.