General Program Description
The curriculum is a 4 + 3 model with students beginning at the end of August, completing the program in nine semesters and graduating in August. All students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interprofessional learning experiences through the University’s Synergy program.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical patient care experiences are dispersed within specific courses throughout the curriculum. Additionally, students spend a total of 40 weeks in full-time clinical work during the program; an 8-week rotation occurs at the beginning of the second year 32 weeks (3 additional experiences) occur at the end of the curriculum. Clinical sites are located throughout Texas and the United States. The program offers, on a limited basis, international clinical experiences during the final rotation.
Faculty
There are 13 full-time faculty members, 2 part-time faculty members, and numerous adjunct clinical faculty. The faculty to student ratio is approximately 1:10. All core faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees. Among the facutly, we have 3 Geriatric, 3 Neurologic, 1 Orthopedic, and 1 Pediatric Certified Specialists and all faculty engage in scholarly activity. The faculty average 30 years of clinical, over 20 years of teaching experience, and are extensively involved in professional service. Additionally, most faculty engage in clinical practice within their areas of expertise.
Enrollment
Approximately 2,000 students are enrolled at UTMB, which includes four schools (Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) and two institutes (Marine Biomedical Institute, Institute for the Medical Humanities). The physical therapy program in Galveston admits 56 students each year from a qualified applicant pool; 10% of those admitted may be out-of-state residents.
Admission
Applications are accepted from July 1st to November 1st each year. Applicants must complete 120 prerequisite credit hours that include 6 hours of English (includes composition); 8 hours in each: biological sciences, chemistry, and physics; 4 hours of physiology; 6 hours in psychology; and 3 hours in each: statistics, sociology, and mathematics. Additional requirements include a minimum overall and science grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, documentation of a minimum of 40 clock hours of paid or volunteer work in physical therapy, completion the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and 3 confidential recommendations (at least one from a physical therapist).
Outcomes
An average of 95% of admitted students graduate from the program. First time pass rates on the professional licensure exam average above 90%.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
For 2013-14, the cost for tuition, fees, and books for each semester will be approximately $4,400 for Texas residents and $8,400 for nonresidents. Off-campus, one-bedroom apartments rent for approximately $450-$750 per month. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need and is available in the form of loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. More than 60 scholarships are awarded annually to physical therapy students.
Student life
Dormitories and local housing are available on or near the medical center campus. Students participate in university activities including intramural sports and community service projects. The City of Galveston is located on an island 45 miles south of Houston which provides a year-round, tropical climate. Thirty-two miles of beaches allow for water sports including skiing, fishing, surfing, sailing, and swimming. Other community activities include Moody Gardens, historical home tours, an outdoor theatre, museums, and local festivals such as Mardi Gras. A variety of plays, concerts, professional sports, and other cultural events are available in the nearby Houston area.