1. What is a physical therapist?
A physical therapist is a healthcare provider educated to diagnose movement dysfunction and direct programs of care for individuals of all ages who have functional limitations or disabilities due to injury or disease, or for prevention. Physical therapists work to restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and optimal quality of life as related to movement and health. 2. Where do physical therapists work?
Physical therapists practice in a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings, including the following: · Hospitals (e.g, critical care, intensive care, acute care, and subacute care settings) · Outpatient clinics or offices · Rehabilitation facilities · Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities · Home Health· Academic or research centers · Schools (preschool, primary, and secondary) · Hospices · Corporate or industrial health centers · Industrial or other occupational environments · Athletic facilities (collegiate, amateur, and professional) · Fitness centers and sports training facilities. 3. What degree is offered at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)?
MUSC offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy. 4. How many students do you accept each year?
We accept up to 64 students each year. The program begins each year in late May. 5. Do I need a degree before I enter the program?
Yes. You need to have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to entering the Physical Therapy program. A specific major is not required, but specific prerequisite course work is required. 6. What scores are needed for the GRE?
Applicants are required to take the Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical / Writing components of the GRE. The scores must be reported before the application is complete. While a specific score on the GRE or the different sections is not required, the GRE score and the Verbal score are strongly considered in the admissions process. It is strongly recommended that applicants take the GRE as many times as needed to have competitive scores, including the Verbal score. Scores in the 40th to 50th percentile will generally put an applicant in the competitive range. If the applicant’s grade point average is in a lower range, then raising GRE scores is a mechanism to improve the application. During the admissions process, only the highest GRE scores are considered, so applicants are advised to take the GRE as many times as necessary, and to contact the Office of Enrollment Management to confirm that the highest scores have been received.
7. What grade point average is needed for admission?
Decisions for admissions are made on a competitive basis, with the applicant’s undergraduate grades factoring into the decision. A minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) is required in order to be considered for admission to the program. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students has historically been 3.5 or higher. The prerequisite courses, particularly the science courses are also considered in the admissions process. The science prerequisite course grades (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology) are considered separately as a Science Key GPA. It is desirable for applicants to have a minimum 3.3 GPA in these courses. 8. Can I retake a course and change my GPA?
The overall GPA is computed from all courses taken as an undergraduate, no matter how many colleges or universities an applicant has attended and no matter how many times a particular course has been taken. By retaking a course, the GPA may improve slightly, but with such a large number of credit hours, the effect of one course is minimal. The Science Key GPA is computed with the highest grades earned in a course. For example, if an applicant made a C (2.0) in Chemistry I and then took Chemistry I again and made an A (4.0), only the A would be considered in the computation of the Key Science GPA. This can benefit some applicants dramatically. Applicants are advised to compute the effect of retaking certain courses if needed, and plan a strategy to improve the Key Science GPA if needed. 9. If I have attended graduate school, or have a Master’s degree, will this help?
The overall undergraduate GPA is computed using grades from all undergraduate courses taken. Applicants whom have entered graduate school will not have the grades from these courses counted towards the GPA. A master’s degree may benefit a competitive applicant by improving the applicant’s profile, but not the GPA. 10. Are there any courses I should take or that would help me if I get in the program?
There are several very important areas which may assist with your education and professional development as a physical therapist. Physical therapists must be able to communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written formats. Courses in public speaking and courses that improve the applicant’s ability to write are very beneficial. Many physical therapists conduct research, and all physical therapist should use research in making decisions. Courses on research design, data management, and analysis are of benefit. A major focus for physical therapy is human movement and function. Additional courses in anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, movement science, kinesiology, and the neurosciences should be extremely beneficial to the applicant. 11. What besides grades and the GRE scores are factored into the admissions decision?
An admissions committee examines each qualified applicant’s portfolio (the letters of reference, resume, and other admissions materials) and scores these. Experience with physical therapy, strong letters of reference, volunteer / service activities, and honors and awards assist applicants in improving the profile score. Applicants should develop goals and a plan early in their academic development for demonstrating these attributes. 12. Does it matter what my undergraduate degree is in, and where I take my prerequisite courses?
While a bachelor’s of science or bachelor’s of arts degree is required for admission into the program, a particular major is not required. The program admits a diverse population of students with varied backgrounds and experiences. The program does not weigh or rank the undergraduate institutions that an applicant attends. We do recommend that applicants take a challenging curriculum as they pursue the undergraduate degree, and take the prerequisite courses at an institution that will provide rigor and high academic expectations. This allows the applicant to be best prepared for the rigors of the PT curriculum. It is important for applicants to understand that time management skills are very important in a professional graduate program. A large volume of material must be mastered, and retained across the educational experience, and then after graduation. Students are required to develop attitudes and skills to allow for lifelong learning. Taking a challenging course of study in undergraduate school is a way to prepare for this.
13. For the Human Development prerequisite, can I take a psychology course?
While human psychological development is an important process to understand and study, this does not meet the prerequisite for Human Development for the DPT program. The prerequisite course for Human Development must cover the physical development of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, as well as the development of movement and posture. This information is essential prerequisite material for the neurological, motor development, and pediatric courses in the program, as well as the musculoskeletal courses. 14. Do you take out of state students?
The DPT program at MUSC desires to recruit and admit a diverse population of highly qualified students, who demonstrate the potential to be excellent physical therapists and citizens. To meet this goal, the program accepts the most qualified applicants. While the majority of students are from South Carolina, the program welcomes out of state students, with many remaining in the state following graduation. 15. I was told I am on the waiting list. Can I found out what place I am on the waiting list?
Typically, we have students who are admitted after being on the alternate or “waiting” list. Applicants are ranked on the alternate list using the same criteria that is used for admissions. The actual position on the waiting list is not announced. 16. If I am not accepted this year, what should I do to reapply next year?
Applicants who do not gain admission to the program are encouraged to meet with a representative from the Division of Physical Therapy Student Services. The representative will go over the applicant’s portfolio and make suggestions for improvement prior to the next application process. Applicants must contact the Office of Enrollment Management to reactivate and / or update the application. Students who reapply to the program are included as an applicant for the early admissions and regular admissions cycles, depending on when the application is reactivated. 17. Do students do a research project while in the program?
There are several research laboratories associated with the program (the Neuromuscular Assessment Laboratory and the Motion Analysis laboratory), and several of the faculty are actively involved in clinical research. Students in the DPT program are afforded opportunities to work with faculty on research projects as electives beginning in the second year of the curriculum. Students are not required to generate an independent research project. Students do perform literature reviews, learn of the research process, and learn to become critical consumers of clinical and scientific research. In addition, for a limited number of students, an opportunity is available to apply for acceptance to a Master's of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program through the College of Graduate Studies. This program of study is completed while attending MUSC. Students choosing and accepted for this option will have a 4-year curriculum and will defer the DPT degree until completing the MSCR program. Students in the DPT and MSCR programs have an opportunity to have tuition waived and receive a stipend during the research year of the program. During the DPT course work, students must pay full tuition (3 years). Information concerning the MSCR can be found at: http://www.musc.edu/dbbe/academics/mscr.php. 18. What is attending the physical therapy program like?
Professional graduate school is very different than undergraduate education. This is true in many ways. Students may be going to class from 8:00 in the morning or earlier, and not finish until late in the evening some days. Students are expected to dress and act in a professional manner while attending lecture and seminar classes. Laboratory courses require students to dress to allow practice of techniques and skills. Students need the ability to both physically and mentally focus for extended periods of time. Information learned in a course early in the program will be used throughout the program. Students should study not only for tests / exams, but study to learn and to apply what is learned across a career. Didactic (e.g., lecture, reading) learning is only a part of PT school. Much of what students do is related to using their hands learning and practicing professional skills, thus students learn and practice skills throughout the program. Possessing or acquiring good motor skills and coordination are very important. Students in the program are also very active in volunteer and service activities for the College, the University, the community, and the profession. Students have been very generous with their time and energy in organizing, conducting, or supporting multiple charitable events. |
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