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 program. 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
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.
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 4.00 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 Stated Prerequisite Course - C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale)
Minimum Scores 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 contingent 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 WAIVERS 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/Volunteer Experience - 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 Abilities 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/.
Return to: