Mission

The Physical Therapy Program of Midwestern University will use the highest educational and professional standards to prepare service-oriented physical therapists who will provide high-quality patient/client management to a diverse population across all levels of the healthcare continuum.

Program Overview

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Glendale campus, is a full-time continuous, 30-month entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum that is open on a competitive admissions basis to applicants holding bachelor's degrees in any field, but who have not completed an accredited physical therapy program.

Each graduate from the Physical Therapy Program will be instructed to provide patient care; display the core knowledge to discuss prevention, onset, and impairments; address functional limitations; and create a plan of care based upon goals and expected outcomes.

The Physical Therapy Program provides its students with the broad-based professional education necessary for each physical therapy graduate to become a generalist clinician. Therefore, competency is required in each of the physical therapy courses. The following areas of practice will be emphasized:

• Development of clinical problem-solving skills for examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, assessment/reassessment and discharge planning
• Use of evidence-based practice skills
• Practicing in a culturally sensitive manner with clients of all different ages
• Practicing collaboratively with other members of the healthcare community
• Assumption of leadership positions in the healthcare delivery system
• Development of an orientation toward prevention, health, fitness and wellness
• Development of skills to establish programs that address prevention of disease, injuries, and disabilities
• Participation in community and professional service

The residential pathway consists of 10 consecutive quarters over 30 months. The first 7 quarters include didactic instruction on the Glendale campus. This is followed by 3 quarters (33 weeks) of full-time clinical education.

The curriculum model is based on a conceptual framework of educational theory and practice including an integrative, spiral approach within the curricular design. The intent of a spiraled curriculum is to revisit key content areas or themes at a higher level as students progress through the curriculum. The final three didactic quarters were intentionally designed to allow content integration across multiple practice areas. The program is organized to provide correlated events and problems that are experienced sequentially within the didactic curriculum and later through clinical experiences. Students receive a strong content foundation in the biological, physical, clinical, and behavioral sciences and learn to critically apply scientific research and other forms of best evidence to practice.

The curriculum provides both simulated and actual clinical experiences across the curriculum. Educational opportunities and activities are provided to enhance student exposure to underserved populations. Students are provided with opportunities for research, interprofessional collaborative practice, community service, teaching, and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an educational environment that emphasizes professionalism and professional attributes relevant to physical therapist practice. Our educational principles include:

• Integration of concepts related to adult learning theory
• Promotion of self-direction and independence
• Experiential and active learning
• Respect for diverse talents and learning styles
• Promotion of good communication behaviors
• Integration of different learning domains

Clinical Education Placements

• Placements for clinical experiences are available in diverse practice environments in a variety of clinical settings.
• Clinical education sites are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas within and outside of Arizona.
• Students must be prepared to travel to any area where clinical placements are available.

View PT curriculum information

Beginning Summer 2024, the Midwestern University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will add another degree pathway using a hybrid delivery model. The hybrid pathway will be the same as the residential pathway in curricular sequence and start and completion dates. Students will matriculate in the summer quarter and participate in 7 consecutive quarters of didactic instruction followed by 3 quarters of full-time clinical education. Didactic course work will include online synchronous and asynchronous learning activities for 10 weeks followed by immersive, in-person lab and classroom experiences during week 11 on the Glendale Campus in Arizona. After successful completion of didactic coursework, students will complete three 11-week full-time clinical education experiences in a variety of patient care settings. 

 2024-2025 Dates for Immersive Experiences

• August 12-16, 2024 (Mon - Fri)
• November 4-8, 2024 (Mon - Fri)
• February 24-28, 2025 (Mon - Fri)
• May 16-23, 2025 (Fri - Fri)

The hybrid pathway will admit 30 students. Maintaining a small cohort of students in the hybrid pathway will allow the core faculty to create engaging, meaningful, and personal learning experiences. Faculty hold additional certifications in online teaching so they can deliver content using the highest, evidence-based educational standards for online learning.

For the hybrid pathway, best practice for online learning will be combined with our current, successful curriculum model that is based on a conceptual framework of educational theory and practice including an integrative, spiraled approach within the curricular design. The intent of a spiraled curriculum is to revisit key content areas or themes at a higher level as students progress through the curriculum. The final three didactic quarters were designed to allow content integration across multiple practice areas. The program is organized to provide correlated events and problems that are experienced sequentially within the didactic curriculum and later through clinical experiences. Students receive a strong content foundation in the biological, physical, clinical, and behavioral sciences and learn to critically apply scientific research and other forms of best evidence to practice.

The hybrid pathway will also provide both simulated and actual clinical experiences across the curriculum. Educational opportunities and activities are provided to enhance student exposure to underserved populations. Students are provided with opportunities for research, interprofessional collaborative practice, community service, teaching, and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an educational environment that emphasizes professionalism and professional attributes relevant to physical therapist practice that occurs in-person and in an online environment. Our educational principles include:

• Integration of concepts related to adult learning theory
• Promotion of self-direction and independence
• Experiential and strong emphasis on active learning
• Respect for diverse talents and learning styles
• Promotion of good communication behaviors
• Integration of different learning domains

Clinical Education Placements

• Placements for clinical experiences are available in diverse practice environments in a variety of clinical settings.
• Clinical education sites are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas within and outside of Arizona.
• Students must be prepared to travel to any area where clinical placements are available.

View PT curriculum information

STUDENT/GRADUATE GOALS:

1. Graduates and students will be prepared to provide culturally competent, whole-person physical therapy services to a diverse population across all levels of the healthcare continuum.

2. Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to professional development in the areas of clinical practice, service, and advocacy.

3. Graduates will have the ability to contribute to the educational growth of future practitioners and to the body of knowledge in the profession.

4. Students and graduates will participate in interprofessional education and/or interprofessional collaborative practice.

FACULTY GOALS:

1. Faculty will provide high-quality teaching and professional standards.

2. Faculty will participate in scholarship activities which may include the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, or teaching.

3. Faculty will be engaged in service to the Department, College, University, community, or profession.

4. The collective core faculty will demonstrate expertise in contemporary, evidence-based clinical practice in a variety of settings across the continuum of care.

PROGRAM GOALS:

1. The program will contribute to meeting the needs of the physical therapy workforce that supports a diverse population across all levels of the health care continuum.

2. The program will create post-professional educational opportunities for faculty, graduates, clinical instructors and the greater physical therapy community to facilitate continuous professional development in areas such as teaching, research, leadership, practice, service, and advocacy.

3. The program will collaborate with other health professional programs, community partners and clinical sites to support the development of interprofessional collaborative practice across the curriculum.

4. The program will cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusivity that benefits students, faculty, staff, patients, caregivers, and communities that we serve.

5. The program will provide an innovative curriculum that integrates the highest educational standards and contemporary practice.

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703/706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 623/572-3920 or email azpt@midwestern.edu.

In April 2023, CAPTE approved Midwestern University’s Application for Approval of Substantive Change to offer a hybrid pathway to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Il 60604-1413; 800/621-7440.

Admissions Overview:

The Physical Therapy Program uses a holistic admissions process for 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 holistic admissions framework has been established. Within this 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 Admissions Committee reviews completed applications throughout the admissions cycle to determine the applicant's eligibility for an interview. Interviews are conducted during the fall and winter. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

 All applicants seeking admission to the Physical Therapy Program (both hybrid and residential pathways) must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum science GPA of 2.9 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 46 semester/66 quarter credits as listed below from a regionally accredited college or university.
   • Grades of C or better (grades of C- are NOT acceptable) in each course.
4. Completion of a total of 30 hours of observation, volunteerism or paid work in a physical therapy setting is required for admission. 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 healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
7. Motivation and commitment to learning, including self-directed learning.
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
9. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
10. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.
11. Provision of additional documentation needed to meet specific program requirements.
12. Graduate Record Examination Scores*

• *GRE Scores are not required for admission, but may strengthen an application.
  • 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.
  • The Office of Admissions must receive official GRE scores no later than February 15^th for them to be considered in the application review process.
  • The test must have been taken no more than five years prior to the planned enrollment year. For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 800/GRE-CALL or visit gre.org
  • For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/GRE-CALL or visit gre.org

Prerequisite Courses

Application deadline

Applicants for both residential and hybrid pathways are required to submit their applications to PTCAS at http://www.ptcas.org by February  15^th_. The Midwestern Physical Therapy Program has one PTCAS application for all applicants, with options for applicants to select the pathway to which they would like to apply (residential, hybrid, or both). 

The PTCAS application submission site opens on June 15^th. Please refer to the PTCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Applicants seeking admission into the hybrid pathway must complete the supplemental hybrid questions on the PTCAS application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early as completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from August through February.