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Undergraduate Programs of Study
Preparatory Programs - Pre-Physical Therapy

See http://www.provost.cmich.edu/viceprovost/forms/program1.asp for advisor information for pre-professional programs.

Back to the list of Preparatory Programs

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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