Physical Therapy Admission
The College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program considers for admission those students who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. To select these candidates, a competitive admissions framework has been established. Within this competitive admissions framework, multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available.
The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy Schools (PTCAS) for students applying to the Program. All applicants to the Physical Therapy Program are required to submit their applications to PTCAS (http://www.ptcas.org) with all required materials by December 15, 2023. Please refer to the PTCAS website for instructions on submission of PTCAS application materials.
The Physical Therapy program operates on a rolling admissions basis in which completed applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter and spring. Admission decisions are generally made within one month of the interview.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Physical Therapy Program must submit the following documented evidence:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and a minimum science GPA of 2.90 on a 4.00 scale
- Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 40 semester/58 quarter credits as listed from regionally accredited colleges or universities
- Grades of "C" or better (grades of "C -" are NOT acceptable) are required in each course
- Minimum requirement of 30 hours of observation, volunteerism, or work in a physical therapy setting
- Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
- Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
- Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
- Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
- Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
An international student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post-secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, 6 hours in non-remedial English composition, and 3 hours in speech/public speaking.
Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the U.S. or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:
International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.
For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
Additional Information
Prerequisite Courses
Science Courses |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biology with lab |
4 |
6 |
Human/Vertebrate Anatomy with lab |
3 |
4 |
Human/Vertebrate Physiology |
3 |
4 |
General Chemistry with lab |
4 |
6 |
General Physics with lab |
8 |
12 |
|
|
|
General Courses |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Math ( college algebra or above) |
3 |
4 |
Statistics ( should include inferential statistics) |
3 |
4 |
English-- must include at least one composition course (oral communication/public speaking is recommended |
6 |
9 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (at least one course in psychology) |
6 |
9 |
Technical Standards for Admission
The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college.
Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:
Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:
- Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses. The candidate must be able to accurately auscultate lung/breath, heart and bowel sounds to complete the curricular requirement to individually complete physical examination of a patient/client.
- Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
- Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. Candidates must be able to move at least 50 lbs. vertically and horizontally.
- Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of the candidate's intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings, including manual techniques. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College’s curricular requirements.
Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards at least 4 weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within 1 week of deposit). Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation, must contact the Office of Student Services to make a formal request for accommodation. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided. The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum.
Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College. After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Office of Student Services. If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student’s ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College’s Student Graduation and Promotion Committee.