APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The Program in Physical Therapy at the University of Minnesota offers a ROLLING ADMISSIONS PROCESS. Each admission cycle runs from July 1 through April 1. However, priority is given to applications completed by February 1. Each application will be considered as it is received. Admission decisions are typically made within 4 weeks after receiving a completed application and all admission materials.
The Program in Physical Therapy application is completed online and does not have a processing fee.
ADMISSIONS OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
Primary Admission Standards
- Completed baccalaureate degree or equivalent.*
- Completion of prerequisite coursework (see below).
- Completion of at least 100 hours of volunteer or work experience in a physical therapy setting. Exposure to multiple areas of practice in physical therapy and additional healthcare exposure are recommended.
- GRE - general exam only.
- TOEFL (required) and TSE (strongly recommended) for international students.
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a Physical Therapist with whom the applicant has completed a portion of their work/volunteer hours. References from family, friends, and clergy are discouraged.
- An operational standard GPA for overall grade point average of 3.00 and a 3.00 in the prerequisite coursework are the preferred minimum as indications of probable success in the Program.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted.
*To be eligible for admission, the student must complete a baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent from an accredited institution (no preferred major) by June 1st of the year of admission, including the required prerequisite courses or their equivalents.
Secondary Admission Standards
- Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record or standardized test scores.
- A pattern of steady improvement in academic performance.
- A record of completion of upper level or honors coursework.
- Extracurricular college, leadership, and community involvement and activities.
- Indication that enrollment would contribute to ethnic, cultural or linguistic diversity within the Program.
- Evidence of exceptional motivation, maturity or responsibility.
- Geographic location of residence.
- Work and volunteer experience in health care, related fields and venues outside of health care.
- Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement.
- Extenuating circumstances.
- Past educational experiences.
**These secondary factors are not enough to admit an applicant. The student must still meet the primary standards of the program. Secondary factors enhance the student's competitiveness for admission.**
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
The University of Minnesota Program in Physical Therapy has no required or preferred undergraduate major. Any baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution is accepted.
PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK
Required prerequisite coursework to be taken before entering the Program is listed below. Courses must be taken A-F, unless receiving Advanced Placement credit. It is recommended that these courses be taken within the previous five years. Courses may be taken at any accredited college. Students are expected to be skillful with the computer applications of word processing and spread sheets.
- General Biology, with lab.
- A second biology course of the student's choice with lab.
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- General Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry - minimum two courses, with lab
- General Physics - minimum two courses, with lab - which include mechanics and electricity
- General Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics - ANOVA and regression analysis content strongly recommended
- Introductory Calculus (pre calculus not acceptable; intro to calculus or short calculus acceptable)
Note: All prerequisite courses and an undergraduate degree must be completed before the student enrolls in the professional program. Students may apply with two remaining prerequisites in progress.
Our students have found that biochemistry and human/animal biology classes have been helpful preparation for our curriculum.
Click this link to view the Pre-PT Planning Sheet.
ADVISING
Students on campus should seek help in program planning through their advisor and attend a scheduled information session sponsored by the Program in Physical Therapy. Watch the web page for the date of the fall and spring information sessions. Students at other colleges should seek advice from their respective counseling offices. Individuals may schedule meetings with the Admission Coordinator by calling 612-624-2662.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Exposure to the health care delivery system through employment or volunteer work (minimum 100 hours) in a variety of physical therapy settings is considered an important prerequisite.
TEST INFORMATION
For information regarding the GRE test, contact the Educational Testing Service, CN 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541, or visit on-line at www.gre.org. The "general" exam is required. University GRE code is 6874 and the program/department code is 0619.
International or non-English-speaking students are also required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A TOEFL new internet total score of 79, with a 21 on the writing section and 19 on the reading section, is required (prior computer based score is 213, written format score of 550). Information on taking the TOEFL can be found on-line at www.toefl.org. Test of Spoken English (TSE) is also required. Information regarding the TSE can be found on-line at www.toefl.org. A score of 213 on the TSE is highly recommended.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Two reference forms and letters of recommendation are required. At least one reference must be from a practicing physical therapist, preferably one that can speak to the applicant's suitability for and exposure to the profession. References from friends, family, and clergy are discouraged.
It is recommended that the reference forms be submitted electronically. Instructions for completing and submitting reference forms electronically are found at the end of the application (see online application link below). If a reference prefers to submit a hard copy of the reference form, you may print out the form by using this link and mailing it according to the directions at the end of the application.
Please note: The letters of recommendation are part of the Physical Therapy Program application. You must use the Physical Therapy Program forms.
STUDENT DATA
Selection is on a competitive basis. For the class admitted in 2008, the average prerequisite grade point average (GPA) is 3.57, and the average overall GPA is 3.65. In addition, the averages for the new Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are a verbal score of 469, quantitative score of 648, and an analytical score of 4.4. GRE scores taken within the last 5 years will be considered.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
The Program in Physical Therapy is mindful of the unique nature of the physical therapy curriculum. Applicants must possess the skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of the education. In the process, the student is required to direct or perform treatment on the patients throughout the University of Minnesota Program in Physical Therapy curriculum and its clinical affiliates. This includes the completion of treatment safely and within an acceptable amount of time. With this in mind, the student must be able to meet the Program's technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation. For more information click here to see the Program in Physical Therapy Technical Standards.
DIVERSITY
Graduate School Commitment to Diversity
The Graduate School embraces the University of Minnesota's position that promoting and supporting diversity among the student body is central to the academic mission of the University. We define diversity to encompass many characteristics including economic disadvantage, special talents, evidence of leadership qualities, race or ethnicity, a strong work record, and disability. A diverse student body enriches graduate education by providing a multiplicity of views and perspectives that enhance research, teaching, and the development of new knowledge. A diverse mix of students promotes respect for, and opportunities to learn from, others with the broad range of backgrounds and experiences that constitute modern society. Higher education trains the next generation of leaders of academia and society in general, and such opportunities for leadership should be accessible to all members of society. The Graduate School and its constituent graduate programs are therefore committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities through recruitment, admission, and support programs that promote diversity, foster successful academic experiences, and cultivate the leaders of the next generation.
GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION
Students are required to submit an additional application to the Graduate School prior to final acceptance into the program. The Graduate School application is completed online and has a $55 processing fee ($75 for international applicants). Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School. See the Graduate School website for access to their application and other information (www.grad.umn.edu). Click here for graduate school application.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS
Thank you for considering the University of Minnesota Physical Therapy Program.
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Complete the physical therapy application and checklist.
- Submit the physical therapy application anytime after July 1st and prior to April 1st. Priority is given to applications completed by February 1st.
- Send official transcripts to the Program in Physical Therapy (address below).
- Send official GRE score to the Program in Physical Therapy.
- Send two letters of recommendation to the Program in Physical Therapy (can be done electronically).
- Review your file for accuracy and completion prior to submission; incomplete files will not be considered.
- SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! The application material frequently throughout the process.
- Please provide complete and grammatically correct narrative statements.
- When a prerequisite course has been repeated, the better of the two earned grades should be used to compute the prerequisite GPA.
- Complete the Application Status Checklist after you have submitted your application.
- Expect a letter within four weeks after all application materials are received by the Program.
- Complete and submit a graduate school application.
- Have official transcripts sent separately to the graduate school.
- If you are having technology difficulties please contact the site administrator on the Error Diagnostic Information page.
PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY MAILING ADDRESS/PHONE/EMAIL
Daire Frank, Admissions Coordinator
Program in Physical Therapy
University of Minnesota
MMC 388
420 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612/624-2662
ptquest.umn.edu
What's Inside | ||
