Physical Therapy
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapists (PT) provide services that help restore function,
improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical
disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore,
maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. The main goal of
a PT is to return the patient to their full functioning independence.
Printable
Pre-Physical Therapy Information Sheet
Definition taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Web Site: stats.bls.gov
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Educational Requirements
Student complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or
university and then apply for admission to a professional school to
complete the 2-year Masters or 3-year Doctoral professional coursework,
which includes classroom laboratory, and clinical education. Admission
to professional schools is competitive and is not guaranteed by the
University of Maryland. Contact professional programs for most current
requirements. NOTE: Pre-Physical Therapy is not a degree-granting program
at the University of Maryland - College Park.
Some prerequisite courses usually required by most professional phase
Physical Therapy programs include, but are not limited to: |
General Biology |
Human Anatomy and Physiology |
Inorganic and Organic Chemistry |
Upper Level Bio with Lab |
Introduction to Psychology |
English Composition |
Statistics |
Mathematics |
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Professional School Programs
for a Master's or Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy
University of Maryland at Baltimore (UMB)
410-706-7721
pt.umaryland.edu
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
410-651-6301
www.umes.edu/PT
Howard University
202-806-6100
www.cpnahs.howard.edu
University of Delaware
302-831-8910
www.udel.edu/PT
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Association and Contact
Information for Physical Therapy
Contact the American Physical Therapy Association for specific information
about DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) or MPT (Master's of Physical Therapy)
program prerequisites.
American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-2782
www.apta.org
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Application Requirements
for UMB's DPT program
Bachelor's Degree (any major)
- Successful completion (a grade of C or better) of 26 specified
credit hours of prerequisite coursework.
- Submission of GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores.
- Completion of at least 100 hours of documented work or volunteer
experience in a PT setting.
- Documented volunteer community service. This is philanthropic
volunteer service (i.e. helping the homeless, volunteering with
the American Red Cross, teaching disadvantaged youth how to read,
etc.) The philanthropy for which you volunteer does NOT have to
be related to a career in physical therapy.
- Submission of 3 reference letters (including one from a PT employed
at the applicant's work or volunteer site; one from a community
service representative from a site listed on the applicant's personal
date form).
- A current CPR certificate.
- Completion of a Personal Data Form (see the UMB-DPT admission
application).
- Completion of a statement of "Professional Goals".
For information on UMB's Early Provisional Admission option, contact
UMB at 410-706-7721.
Note: The professional DPT curriculum at UMB takes three years to complete.
Printable Pre-Physical
Therapy Information Sheet
Pre-Physical Therapy is not a degree-granting program at UM-College Park.
The above prerequisites are required prior to matriculation into the
professional curriculum for UMB. Admission to professional schools is
competitive and is not guaranteed by UM. Note: Admission requirements
vary depending upon the institution and prerequisites are subject to
change. Contact programs directly for their most current requirements!
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Pre-Physical Therapy
Web Sites of Interest
University of Maryland Department of Kinesiology 301-405-2450
http://www.hhp.umd.edu/KNES/
American Occupational Therapy Association
www.aota.org
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook stats.bls.gov/
The US Department of Labor handbook on working conditions, employment,
training, qualifications and advancement, job outlook, earnings, and
related occupations.
About.com
about.com
Descriptions of various career opportunities, including description of
job, salary, training, and National contacts.
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