Home > Graduate Catalog 2012-13 > Graduate Programs > Malek School of Health Professions > Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

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This program utilizes a modified problem-based curriculum unique to the region. The mission of the Physical Therapy program is to prepare doctors of physical therapy, grounded in evidence-based practice, who are health care practitioners of choice for individuals with conditions affecting movement and function.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to

function independently, managing patients with a wide variety of simple or complex conditions;
perform skilled physical therapist examinations, interventions, and clinical reasoning proficiently and consistently;
apply best available scientific evidence, clinical judgment, and patient preferences in physical therapy patient management;
manage a full-time physical therapist’s caseload to achieve resource-efficient and patient-effective outcomes;
exhibit care, compassion, and empathy in delivering physical therapy services sensitive to individual, cultural, and social differences; and
implement a self-directed plan for professional development and lifelong learning.

The Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Admission Requirements and Eligibility: The Physical Therapy (PT) program is a three-year, full-time program. Applicants have a separate admissions process and a notification of admission status shortly after the required interview. Entry into the program is in the fall semester only. Class size is limited to 35 students. Marymount University participates in the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), offered through the American Physical Therapy Association. With this system, one central application is completed. Materials are then forwarded to all programs to which the individual applied through PTCAS. The PTCAS website (www.ptcas.org) provides further information and instructions about the application process. The deadline to submit a completed application is December 3. Applications submitted after December 3 will be considered on a space-available basis.

In order to be considered for admission, applicants need the following:

a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to entry into the Physical Therapy program;
a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA for all college and university coursework;
a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA for all prerequisite science coursework; and
completion of 40 hours of observation or volunteer service work in a physical therapy clinical setting, verified by a physical therapist from the clinical setting. These hours may be completed at more than one clinical facility.

Application materials are available on the PTCAS website. A complete application includes

the PTCAS application form;
a $30 application fee paid directly to Marymount's Office of Graduate Admissions;
an autobiographical essay, as described in the application packet;
official transcripts for all college and university coursework;
verification of completing 40 hours of clinical observation or work in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist;
two letters of recommendation (using the form provided by PTCAS) from faculty, academic advisors, physical therapists, or employers addressing the applicant’s ability, motivation, and interest in pursuing graduate studies in Physical Therapy; and
scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

The Physical Therapy program’s Admissions Committee reviews all applications. Initial evaluation of applicants includes assessment of overall GPA, prerequisite science GPA, GRE scores, applicant’s written statement, community activities, and recommendations.

Special consideration is given to current Marymount students who have completed at least two full-time semesters at Marymount prior to applying, Marymount University graduates, and persons from minority groups that are underrepresented in the profession.

Applicants are selected based upon their qualifications and potential to contribute to the profession and their community, and who represent a broad diversity of backgrounds.

After the initial review of applicants’ preliminary materials, all individuals being considered for admission are invited to participate in a Department of Physical Therapy interview, typically a Saturday in January. Interview Day consists of a personal interview, group activity, and facility tour. Please check the University website or call the Office of Graduate Admissions to determine the date of Interview Day for the upcoming year. Admission decisions are announced to applicants within 30 days following their scheduled interview. All accepted students must confirm acceptance within three weeks of notification.

Prerequisite Coursework: The following courses, or their equivalent, must be completed with a grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable) prior to beginning the Physical Therapy program; however, please note that a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all PT prerequisite coursework is required for admission. No more than 12 credits from this group of courses may remain incomplete at the time of application to the program. For those students admitted to the program, final transcripts for these courses (if applicable) must be submitted to the PT office by mid-August.

CHM 151-152 Principles of Chemistry I and II (8 credits)

BIO 151-152 General Biology I and II (8 credits)

BIO 161-162 Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8 credits)

PHYS 171-172 General Physics I and II (8 credits)

MA 132 Statistical Analysis (3 credits)

PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits)

Psychology or Sociology elective (3 credits)

International students for whom English is a second language should review International Applicants for TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic test score requirements.

Provisional Admission Policy: Occasionally, an applicant who does not fully meet Physical Therapy admission requirements may be admitted as a provisional student. Candidates for provisional admission are evaluated by the Department of Physical Therapy, and documents supporting a request for provisional admission are forwarded to the dean for approval. Provisional students must complete the first semester of graduate study with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to meet this condition or withdrawal from required first-semester courses will result in dismissal from the program. After successful completion of the first semester of the Physical Therapy program, a provisional student will be moved to active status.

Clinical Education: Clinical activities are integrated throughout the three-year curriculum. Integrated part-time clinical experiences take place in local physical therapy clinics and coincide directly with didactic learning activities. Clinical full-time practicums take place in clinics locally, nationally, and internationally. The majority of full-time clinical placements occur within the greater metropolitan Washington area and nearby states. Typically, students complete full-time practicums in 8-week or 12-week rotations, at three different clinic sites.

Clinical Requirements: A copy of each PT student’s medical examination record is required upon admission. Physical Therapy students must also provide

written verification of testing for tuberculosis or screening if PPD is positive (required annually) prior to registering for classes;
written verification or letter of declination of the following immunizations: Hepatitis B, MMR, Chicken Pox, and Tetanus/Diphtheria;
written verification of health insurance coverage, submitted to the clinical agency coordinator;
written verification of CPR certification (adult, child, and infant) prior to registration for the first clinical Physical Therapy course (current CPR certification must be provided to the clinical agency coordinator each semester);
a criminal background check, which is a federal requirement for all persons working with vulnerable populations;
drug screening, required by clinical agencies; and
additional requirements as stated by specific health care agencies.

Students will not be permitted to register for classes until all requirements are met.

Clinical-Experience Transportation: Students provide their own transportation to and from courses and clinical experiences. The University’s free shuttle service connects the Main Campus, the Ballston Center, and the Ballston-MU Metro station.

Comprehensive Examination: Each student must pass a comprehensive written examination after completion of all coursework. All Physical Therapy program faculty members contribute questions to the exam.

Minimum Grade and Academic Progression Requirements: Physical Therapy students must meet all of the University academic standards for graduate students. In addition, Physical Therapy students are expected to receive a minimum grade of B in all required courses. However, students are allowed to continue in the program without interruption with up to two course grades of B-. Course grades lower than a B- are considered unsatisfactory. Upon receiving three course grades of B- or any course grade lower than a B-, the student will be dismissed from the PT program.

Provisional students who do not complete the full course load in the first semester of graduate study or do not receive a semester GPA of 3.0 or better will be dismissed from the program.

Degree Requirements

96 credits

Year One — Fall

PT 700 Clinical Neuroscience

PT 701 Applied Pathophysiology

PT 702 Health Care Delivery and Contemporary Society

Year One — Spring

PT 710 Gross Anatomy

PT 711 Foundations of PT Examination, Evaluation, and Diagnosis

PT 712 Evidence-Based Practice I: Critical Assessment of Information

Year One — Summer

PT 713 Therapeutic and Scientific Principles of Exercise