School of Physical Therapy

http://www.ohiou.edu/phystherapy/

The School of Physical Therapy offers an entry-level doctoral program in physical therapy leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. The program begins in June and extends over a threecalendar- year period. The problemsolving, evidence-based curriculum is designed to prepare competent health care professionals who will be able to employ critical decision-making skills for optimal patient care and utilize critical inquiry for self-assessment, health care and professional issues, evaluation, research, and practice analysis.

Clinical experience is integrated with the didactic and laboratory components throughout the program of study. Parttime clinical practica are arranged in local clinics (community hospitals, home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, developmental disabilities centers, and private practices.) Students are supervisedby faculty and staff from Ohio University Therapy Associates, the school’s faculty practice, and local clinicians. Full-time clinical practica are arranged in clinical facilities located outside of the Athens area. The School of Physical Therapy has agreements with medical centers, general acute hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and specialty clinics in most states including the following: Ohio, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

If accepted into the program, you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from clinical sites and for housing and other living expenses during all of your affiliations. You also will be required to: (1) obtain CPR certification; (2) have a physical examination, including evidence of results of a recent TB skin test; (3) provide documentation of current immunization for hepatitis B (or waiver form). Because you may be exposed to infectious diseases during your affiliations, some sites may require proof of immunization for other diseases. In addition, you must purchase name tags and malpractice insurance to be eligible for participation in the clinical practica. Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and attendance at state and national conferences are strongly encouraged.

Eligibility to Apply

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for June admission to the School of Physical Therapy’s doctoral program:

1 Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by the time you begin the physical therapy program in June. The baccalaureate degree may be in any discipline as long as the prerequisites are met. The most direct routes to complete the prerequisites while earning a baccalaureate degree at Ohio University are the following: Biological Sciences Pre- Physical Therapy, Psychology Pre-Physical Therapy, or Exercise Physiology.

2 earned a minimum overall grade-point average (g.p.a.) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

3 completed at least two-thirds of the Life and Physical Sciences prerequisite courses at the time of your application. You must complete the remainder ofthe math, behavioral, and life/physical science prerequisites during the winter and spring quarters or spring semester before beginning study in the program. Some exceptions may be made if requested in writing and mailed to the Admissions Committee, School of Physical Therapy, Grover Center W290, at the time of application.

Application Process

Applications must be received by one of the deadlines indicated on the school’s Web site http://www.ohiou.edu/phystherapy/. These dates have been in October and December or January prior to the beginning of classes in June. Please check the Web site for any updated information regarding applying to the program including the Physical Therapy Graduate Program admission packet.

Note: you must request official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent directly from the testing agency. Student-supplied photocopiesare not accepted as official, but may be included for review and to assist with official score matching. The Ohio University reporting code is 1593. GRE scores must be received by February 1.

When you submit an ONLINE APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application. You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-3 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrance, Athens, OH 45701- 2979.

1. Copy of Application Submission page or the application transaction (order) ID.

2. Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

3. Two copies of official or registrarcertified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

In envelope #2 put items 4-6. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Chair, School of Physical Therapy; Grover Center W290; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the School of Physical Therapy (http://www.ohio.edu/phystherapy), not the general ones used by the rest of the university.

5. An unofficial transcript, along with course descriptions, from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

6. Evidence of either an earned baccalaureate degree or plan for degree completion. If you have a degree, your transcript should indicate degree(s) awarded. If you do not have a baccalaureate degree at the time of application but will have one awarded before beginning the professional program in June, submit a plan for completing the degree signed by your advisor. Verification of the completion of degree requirements must be provided before you begin the professional program in June.

NOTE: if submitting a Web application, do not submit a paper copy of the application for the same term/degree program.

When you submit a PAPER APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application. You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-7 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrance, Athens, OH 45701- 2979.

1. One completed, signed application (Form 1).

2. One completed, signed Residency Information Form (Form 2).

3. One completed, signed Background Information & References Form (Form 3)

4. Non-refundable application fee (check, cash or money order) payable to Ohio University.

5. Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf. If you are applying to the joint MBA/MHA, please provide three copies.

6. Two copies of official or registrarcertified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that wererepeated or taken outside a degree program.

7. International applicants who need a certificate of eligibility, include one completed, signed Financial Affidavit of Support (Form 4).

In envelope #2 put items 8-10. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Chair, School of Physical Therapy; Grover Center W290; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

8. Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the School of Physical Therapy (http://www.ohio.edu/phystherapy/), not the general ones used by the rest of the university.

9. An unofficial transcript, along with course descriptions, from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

10. Evidence of either an earned baccalaureate degree or plan for degree completion. If you have a degree, your transcript should indicate degree(s) awarded. If you do not have a baccalaureate degree at the time of application but will have one awarded before beginning the professional program in June, submit a plan for completing the degree signed by your advisor. Verification of the completion of degree requirements must be provided before you begin the professional program in June.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application for admission become the property of Ohio University. They will not be returned or forwarded to another agency or college/university. Portfolio materials will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The university retains portfolios of students accepted for admission.

All non-native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency by submission of official TOEFL (550 minimum paperbased test/213 computer-based-test) orIELTS scores (7.0 overall average). Tests older than two years are not accepted. See elsewhere in this catalog for exemptions and more details regarding English proficiency requirements.

Financial assistance, such as assistantships, is available.

Selection

The School of Physical Therapy admissions committee considers the following in ranking and selecting eligible applicants:

1 Overall g.p.a.

2 Prerequisite life and physical sciences g.p.a.

3 Interview (preview day)

4 References (3 are required using the form on the Physical Therapy Web site).

5 GRE scores

6 Relevant life experiences

Typically 36 students are admitted yearly. You will be notified of acceptance no later than late April.

Eligibility Requirements to Begin Physical Therapy Coursework

If admitted, you must meet the following requirements before you begin physical therapy coursework in June:

1 Completion of all prerequisite coursework.

2 Completion of a baccalaureate degree.

Program of Study

The following is a listing of the courses required in the three-calendar-year graduate professional education program in physical therapy.