Physical TherapyPhoto of a Person Receiving a Massage

 

The entry-to-practice degree for the physical therapy profession is now the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.), a graduate degree. A baccalaureate degree is required to gain entry to the progam. At IPFW you may earn any baccalaureate degree and then apply to the physical therapy program offered by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Completion of a baccalaureate degree and prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the IUPUI program. 

Overview

As members of the healthcare team, physical therapists help restore clients to normal functioning of the musculoskeletal and other systems through interventions utilizing therapeutic exercise, physical agents, and assistive devices.

Prerequisite Courses

Prior to entering IUPUI’s physical therapy program, students must complete specific prerequisite courses in addition to earning a baccalaureate degree. These prerequisites may be completed at IPFW. Students should consult with an IPFW health sciences advisor for appropriate courses and semester sequencing. Listed credit hours are minimums.

IUPUI Admission Requirements

 

Admission Requirements

Limitations of Course Work

Prerequisite courses in human anatomy, human physiology, chemistry, physics, and statistics must be completed within seven years of entry. The levels of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics courses must be appropriate for science majors. 

Class Size

36

Criteria Used for Selection of Class

Admission is competitive and decisions will be made based upon cumulative grade point average (GPA) weighted 50%, GRE verbal score weighted 50%, completion of personal essay, and 16 observation hours in two different settings recorded on Generic Abilities Form. The applicants with the highest undergraduate cumulative GPA and verbal GRE scores are offered places in the program, which begins the following Fall Semester.  Applicants ranked 37 to 71 will be given the opportunity to be placed upon a "wait list" (minimum of 35 slots) and will be considered should a place in the program become available. 

Application Deadline

For Fall 2009 Admission application portfolios may be submitted beginning August 1, 2008 and must be postmarked by October 15, 2008. Applications postmarked after October 15 will not be considered and fees will not be refunded.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average

3.20 on a 4.0 scale.

Minimum Specific Grade Point Average

3.20 on a 4.00 scale for math and science course work, which includes grades earned in chemistry, physics, human anatomy, human physiology, and statistics.

Minimum Grade Requirement in a State Prerequisite Course

C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale)

Minimum score on Graduate Record Examination

450 on each of verbal and quantitative measures. Test dates for the GRE scores provided must be within seven years of entry.

Application Criteria and Policies

At the time of application, applicants must have completed prerequisites with two or less remaining.  Applicants with one or two course prerequisites in progress apply for contigent admission to begin classes in fall semester of the following calendar year. In addition, the applicant's baccalaureate degree must be completed by June 1, immediately prior to fall entry. NO WAVIERS OR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE GRANTED BY THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM.  Applicants who have previously been admitted to an entry-level physical therapy educational program and who then voluntarily or involuntarily leave such a program will not be considered eligible for admission into the Indiana University DPT program.  Applicants placed on the wait list who are not accommodated in the class will be considered for admission to the following year's class.  They must reapply during the following year's cycle and will compete for entry with that year’s application cohort. For applicants for whom English is not the native language, a minimum TOEFL score of 650 is required at time of application. This policy is waived if the applicant has received an undergraduate degree from an accredited school in the United States by the time of entrance into the program. 

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Students must successfully complete Health Care Professional Level CPR Certification prior to entrance into the program. Certification must be maintained throughout the duration of the program. 

Medical Terminology Proficiency

Students must demonstrate proficiency in medical terminology prior to entering the professional program. Proficiency can be demonstrated through formal course work, on-line instruction with certificate of completion, or self-study with departmental examination. Students will also need to be competent writers.

Technical Standards

Students are required to meet technical standards established by the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. These standards are available from IUPUI upon request. 

Medical Requirements

Basic immunizations as determined by IUPUI’s Student Health Services must be completed by the first day of classes. Students must demonstrate proof of health insurance prior to entry into the Program and must maintain health insurance throughout their enrollment.

Clinical Observation /VolunteerExperience

Applicants must complete observational, volunteer, or other work experiences in both hospital inpatient and outpatient physical therapy settings. Each experience must be the equivalent of one day, 8 hours. Each experience must be of sufficient length of time to enable the supervising physical therapist to adequately complete the IU DPT program's Generic Abilites Assessment Form included as part of the application portfolio.

The details of your prerequisite course work should be discussed with an IPFW health sciences advisor. You are also encouraged to consult an advisor at the IUPUI campus to discuss the degree. Contact: Student Enrollment Services Coordinator for the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences by calling (317)274-7238. The most current program information is found at http://www.shrs.iupui.edu/pt/.

At IPFW you may complete the following courses:

  • CHM 115 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
  • CHM 116 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
  • PSY 120 - Elementary Psychology Cr. 3.
  • PSY 369 - Development Across the Lifespan Cr. 3.


Choose one of the following sequences Credits: 8-10

  • PHYS 201 - General Physics I Cr. 5.
  • and
  • PHYS 202 - General Physics II Cr. 5.

 

Or select

 

  • PHYS 218 - General Physics Cr. 4.
  • and
  • PHYS 219 - General Physics II Cr. 4.

 

Or select

 

  • PHYS 220 - General Physics Cr. 4.
  • and
  • PHYS 221 - General Physics Cr. 4.


Choose one of the following sequences Credits: 8

Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

  • BIOL 203 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Cr. 4.
  • BIOL 204 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Cr. 4.

 

Or select

 

Anatomy and Physiology I and II

 

  • BIOL 215 - Basic Human Anatomy Cr. 4.
  • BIOL 216 - Basic Mammalian Physiology Cr. 4.


Choose one of the following Credits: 3-5

  • ECON E270 - Introduction to Statistical Theory in Economics and Business I Cr. 3.
  • PHYS 201 - General Physics I Cr. 5.
  • SOC S351 - Social Statistics Cr. 3.
  • SPEA K300 - Statistical Techniques Cr. 3.
  • STAT 301 - Elementary Statistical Methods I Cr. 3.


Electives:

Humanities/Social sciences electives:  Cr. 6

Total prerequisite credits to be included in a baccalaureate degree Credits: minimum 39

If you choose to satisfy the medical terminology proficiency through coursework, choose one of the following Credits: 1-3

  • BIOL 105 - Medical Terminology Cr. 1.
  • NUR 106 - Medical Terminology Cr. 3.

 

Professional Program

 

DPT Degree Program

Semester 1 - Year 1 Fall Semester
Clinical Decision Making
P511
1 cr
Clinical Physiology
F512
4 cr
Functional Anatomy & Clinical Biomechanics
P513
4 cr
Gross Anatomy
D850
8 cr
Total
 
17 cr
     
Semester 2 - Year 1 Spring Semester
Introduction to Therapeutic Interventions
P646
4 cr
Introduction to PT Examination & Interventions
P515
6 cr
Introduction to Motor Sciences
P534
2 cr
Medical Conditions & Pathophysiology
P530
3 cr
Pharmacology for Physical Terapists
P570
3 cr
Total
 
18 cr
     
Semester 3- Year 1 Summer Session 1 (6 weeks)
Clinical Education I
P599
3 cr
Total
 
3 cr
     
Semester 4 - Year 1 Summer Session 2 (5 weeks)
Evidence Based Critical Inquiry I
P514
2 cr
Total
 
2 cr
     
Semester 5 - Year 2 Fall Semester
Neuroscience & Clinical Neurology
D852
5 cr
Psychosocial Dimensions of Physical Therapy Practice
P643
2 cr
Lifespan Motor Development
P533
2 cr
Physical Theraphy Examination/Interventions II
P526
4 cr
Evidence Based Critical Inquiry II
P645
2 cr
Total
 
15 cr
     
Semester 6 - Year 2 Spring Semester
Cardiopulmonary Practice Patterns
P524
3 cr
Neurorehabilitation I
P641
4 cr
Musculoskeletal Practice Patterns I
P541
4 cr
Intequmentary Practice Patterns
P650
2 cr
Health Promotion & Community Outreach
P680
2 cr
Total
 
15 cr
     
Semester 7 - Year 2 Summer Session 2 (6 weeks)
Legal & Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy
P532
2 cr
Clinical Education II
P695
3 cr
Total
 
5 cr
     
Semester 8 - Year 3 Fall Semester
Musculoskeletal Practice Patterns II
P622
4 cr
Neurorehabilitation II
P642
4 cr
Special Topics in Physical Therapy
P660
3 cr
Prosthetic & Orthotic Interventions
P661
2 cr
Administration & Management of PT Services
P664
3 cr
Total
 
16 cr
     
Semester 9 - Year 3 Spring Semester
Clinical Education III (12 weeks)
P696
6 cr
Clinical Education IV (6 weeks)
P697
3 cr
Capstone Seminar
P675
1 cr
Total
 
10 cr
Total Credits
 
101 cr
     
Optional Courses    
Independent Study
P685
1-3 cr

Students must successfully complete Health Care Professional Level CPR certification prior to entrace into the program. Certification must be maintained throughtout the duration of the program.

 


For questions regarding IPFW course requirements, contact:

 

Student Success Center
IPFW - College of Health and Human Services

Wayne Williams, Advisor
Neff Hall Room 120B
Phone: (260)481-0144

 

For additional IUPUI information:
www.iupui.edu

Contact:

Renee Akins, Student Enrollment Services Coordinator
School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
IUPUI
Coleman Hall 120
1140 W Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
Phone: (317)274-7238
E-mail: reakins@iupui.edu


 

IUPUI Program Facts

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 101 graduate credit hours, including clinical education. All course work must be completed in compliance with the program's and IUPUI's academic and professional policies.

Employment Facts

More than 120,000 physical therapists are licensed in the U.S. today.  The annual median salary for a physical therapist is $52,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.  Physical therapists are currently experiencing nearly full employment conditions.  

For more information on a career in physical therapy, contact the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org or contact APTA Public Relations, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1488; Phone: (703)706-3248; FAX: (703)706-8578.

Graduates of the Program

Graduates of the program practice in hospitals, nearly 80 percent practice in:

  • Outpatient clinics or offices
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
  • Skilled nursing, extended care, or sub-acute facilities
  • Homes
  • Education or research centers
  • Schools
  • Hospices
  • Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
  • Fitness centers and sports training facilities

Licensure Requirements

After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy.