General Program Description
The doctorate of physical therapy program is a full-time, continuous, 34-month program beginning in June. The didactic curriculum integrates concepts and principles throughout the sequence of courses, including patient evaluation, physical therapy intervention, clinical problem solving, health professionalism, human development, health promotion, anatomy, physiology, and research. Through interactions with students in other health professions, the program fosters the team-oriented approach to health care. Contact with students in the university’s behavioral medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, pharmacy, and osteopathic medicine programs enhance the student’s understanding of the roles of health care providers.
Clinical Experiences
Students are prepared for clinical practice through field trips to clinical sites, interactions with simulated patients, and four full-time clinical practica under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Practicum I (3 weeks) occurs at the beginning of summer quarter of the second professional year; Practicum II (10 weeks) occurs in the spring quarter of the second professional year; Practica III (10 weeks) and IV (10 weeks) occur during winter and spring quarters of the third professional year. The program has clinical education agreements with over 300 sites, including hospitals, out patient centers, rehabilitation facilities and public education settings. Most available clinical experiences are in Illinois and Indiana; however, other experiences are available across the United States.
Faculty
There are 13 PT faculty members. Sixty percent of the faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees, five are certified as clinical specialists, and eight are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.
Enrollment
The university has a total enrollment of approximately 2,200 students on the Downers Grove, Illinois campus. The physical therapy program has an enrollment of 151 students, with each class currently composed of approximately 50-54 students.
Admission
The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service, PTCAS, for students applying to the program. All applicants to the Physical Therapy Program are required to submit their applications to PTCAS (http://www.ptcas.org) with all required materials by December 15, 2014. Please refer to the PTCAS website for instructions on submission of your PTCAS application materials. To be considered for admission within our competitive selection process, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, complete a minimum of 46 semester hours of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. International students must complete at least 30 semester hours at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants must possess a minimum total grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, miminum science GPA of 2.9 on a 4.0 scale, submit official GRE scores, possess current certification in CPR Level C of the American Heart Association, and complete a first aid course within 3 years prior to enrollment. Prerequisite course requirements include 9 semester hours (SH) of social and behavioral sciences, and 9 SH of English/communications (including composition, oral communication/public speaking is also recommended); 8 SH of biology (w/lab) including 3 SH vertebrate anatomy and 3 SH physiology, 4 SH of general chemistry (w/lab), 8 SH of physics (including mechanics, electricity, magnetism, heat, light, and sound); and 3 SH each of applied mathematics and statistics. A rolling admissions process is used. The admissions process includes an interview (by invitation). 15% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
94.5% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 100% of all graduates pass the licensure exam, with an 94.5% first time pass rate (3 year average). 100% of all graduates who responded to surveys were employed in physical therapy.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year is $34,076. Students are also assessed a $575 activity fee. Average book/supply costs are $3,760 for the 34 month program. Approximately 90% of students receive financial aid. All students seeking financial aid must meet general eligibility requirements regarding citizenship, financial need, and satisfactory academic progress.
Student life
The PT program is housed on the Downers Grove, Illinois campus of Midwestern University. The 105-acre campus boasts innovative facilities and is nestled serenely in a wooded setting 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. Facilities on the campus include a library designated as a resource center by the National Library of Medicine, a recreational complex featuring handball courts, weight room, aerobic exercise room, gymnasium, basketball courts, sand volleyball court, and a softball field. Housing options include single or double-occupancy residence hall rooms and on-campus apartments. Off-campus students may choose from a variety of housing options in the area.