Preparatory Programs
Pre-Physical
Therapy
Advisors:
Herm Triezenberg, 774-3899; Elaine Betts, 774-2356; Peter
Loubert, 774-2396; Elizabeth Mostrom, 774-2349; Jan Perkins,
774-1297; Debbie Silkwood-Sherer, 774-1337; Laurie Swan,
774-2699; Tim Zipple, 774-6579; School of Rehabilitation and
Medical Science.
Central
Michigan University offers a graduate program in physical
therapy. For a student to become eligible to apply for entry
into the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy they must
complete both: 1) the requirements for their undergraduate
major, and 2) a series of prerequisite courses (listed
below).
The student has the option to choose from a wide variety of
undergraduate majors to prepare them for the physical
therapy program. Suggested undergraduate majors include
Health Fitness in Preventive and Rehabilitative Programs,
Biology, Psychology, Child Development, Therapeutic
Recreation, Sports Medicine and Health Administration.
Students should consult with an advisor to identify the most
appropriate undergraduate major for their interests, skills
and career goals. Students must be assigned an advisor from
their chosen undergraduate major to identify the courses
that they need to take to complete the requirements of their
undergraduate major. Students in some majors may be able to
complete their undergraduate major requirements in three
years. Students can then be eligible to enter the Graduate
Program in Physical Therapy after their third year. Students
need to check with their advisor to find out if this option
is available to them.
Students also must complete a series of required
prerequisite courses to prepare them for the graduate
curriculum.
Prerequisite
Courses for Physical Therapy
Biology/Health Science. (9 credits are required,
including courses in Anatomy (recommended CMU courses
include HSC 214 OR BIO 337) and Physiology (recommended CMU
courses include HSC 215 OR BIO 392). Laboratories required
for both Anatomy and Physiology.
Chemistry.
(8 credits are required. Recommended sequences at CMU
include CHM 131 and 132 OR 120, 127 and 342). Laboratory
experience required for all courses)
Psychology.
(9 credits are required, including a course in developmental
psychology. A course in rehabilitation or health psychology
is strongly recommended)
Physics.
(8-10 credits are required, including a laboratory
experience. Suggested course sequences at CMU include either
PHY 130, 170, 131, 171 or PHY 145, 146, 175, 176)
Mathematics.
(A background in algebra and trigonometry sufficient for
success in chosen physics sequences. MTH 106 is a
prerequisite for PHY 130 at CMU)
To
gain admittance into the professional portion of the
program, students need to complete a secondary application.
Applications will be considered only if students have
completed (or are in the process of completing) their major
requirements, university program requirements and physical
therapy prerequisite courses. Admission to the program is
competitive. Students should contact their advisor for
specific information on this process.
For
a complete description of the application process and the
Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, please consult the
current Central Michigan University College of Graduate
Studies Bulletin.
NOTE
FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS: The recommended prerequisite
courses have been chosen to provide students with the
appropriate background to be successful in the professional
curriculum. For students transferring from other
institutions, the specific courses taken may vary and the
equivalency of the content in those courses to meet the
prerequisite requirements will be determined by the faculty
of the physical therapy program. Under special
circumstances, students may be admitted who have not
completed the exact series of recommended prerequisites but
can demonstrate that they possess an academic background
that provides them an equivalent preparation. In those
cases, the faculty of the program determines whether a
student has received an equivalent preparation.
Accreditation:
The Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at Central Michigan
University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
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