Physical Therapy

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• Position Description
• Education and Training
• Application Timeline
• Admissions Criteria

Position Description

Physical Therapists (www.apta.org) assist people with health problems resulting from injury or disease by relieving their pain and helping them to regain use of an affected limb or to relearn such activities of daily living as walking, dressing, or bathing. Additionally, physical therapists teach patients and their families how to continue healing through self-care at home.

Physical therapists also seek to keep people well and safe from injury by educating people about the importance of fitness how to avoid injuries at work or play.

• Read about the Job Outlook for Physical Therapists in the Occupational Outlook Handbook

Education and Training

• Degrees Offered: Master of Science (MS), Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
• Program Length: Approximately 2-3 years, depending on the curriculum of the program and the degree sought.
• Currently, 98 of the 204 accredited Physical Therapy programs offer a DPT; 106 offer either MS or MPT degrees.
• The DPT is expected to be the degree of choice for Physical Therapists by 2020.

Application Timeline

• Freshman-junior years: Research PT programs, gain PT related experiences, develop leadership and communication skills through campus/community involvement, take prerequisite course, visit target schools, and identify individuals who will write letters of evaluation.
• Summer prior to senior year: Take the GRE, collect application materials from schools, and begin filling out applications. Visit school websites, determine application deadlines, and plan appropriately.
• Fall of senior year: Complete and submit application packets, including transcripts, letters of evaluation, application forms, personal statements, and any additional materials. Follow the application instructions closely. Type or print neatly. Make a good first impression! Possibly begin interviewing.
• Spring of senior year: Interview at selected schools, decide which program to attend, finish any remaining prerequisite course, send final transcripts after graduation.
• Note: This timeline is a guideline. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements and deadlines of the schools to which they apply.

Admissions Criteria

• Admissions Test: GRE
• Prerequisite Coursework: Grades of C or better are required in all prerequisites.
• Clinical Experience: Most programs will want to see exposure to the field. It is recommended for students to work/volunteer/observe PT's in more than one setting. UIC requires 3 separate 15-hour experiences, and a licensed PT must document each experience.
• GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.5-2.75 is required for most programs. Average GPA's are closer to 3.5 and up.
• Letters of Evaluation: Most programs require 2-3 letters of evaluation. Generally, a letter from a practicing PT is required, along with at least one academic performance letter (from an instructor). Each school provides forms for Letters of Evaluation. Students should not use LEO for PT Programs!!
• Interviews: Many programs invite qualified candidates for an on campus interview.
• Most programs require CPR certification.
• Directory of Accredited Physical Therapy Education Programs
• Visit school websites for specific program requirements and deadlines.

Programs in Illinois

• Bradley University
• Governors State University
• Midwestern University
• Northern Illinois University
• Northwestern University
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• University of Illinois at Chicago

For a directory of all accredited programs visit the American Physical Therapy Association