General Program Description

The Division of Physical Therapy at Georgia State University offers an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. In accordance with, and in support of the mission of Georgia State University, the purpose of the Division of Physical Therapy is to prepare doctors of physical therapy who are committed to clinical excellence, professional distinction, and the pursuit of scholarly activities that contribute to the body of scientific and clinical knowledge. The entry-level curriculum is a full-time program covering nine semesters and 137 credit hours. The program is designed as an integrated, case-based curriculum. Graduates of this accredited program are eligible to sit for the national licensure exam. The Physical Therapy program at Georgia State University is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Students are offered unprecedented learning experiences through close affiliation with some of the finest healthcare facilities in the country. The division features cooperative research affiliations with nationally renowned research and healthcare organizations.

Clinical Experiences
Clinical internships provide an opportunity to integrate academic content into clinical practice. The clinical internships incorporate full time clinical experiences in the first, third, sixth, eighth, and ninth semesters. The first internship is one week in length and is integrated within the semester. The second through fifth internships are 8-weeks in length. Three of the four eight-week clinical internships will occur in acute or sub-acute care, out-patient, and adult neuro-rehabilitation settings. The fifth internship can occur in a variety of settings such as pediatrics, geriatrics, sports, outpatient orthopedics, or women’s health. The Division of Physical Therapy is affiliated with more than 50 hospitals, clinics and private practices in the metropolitan area. In addition, student internships may be completed at more than 250 clinical facilities nationally and internationally.

Faculty
A major feature that distinguishes our program is the depth and breadth of our faculty. Known for their foundational and clinical knowledge, the eleven core faculty members are leaders in their professions. Emeritus faculty, clinical adjunct faculty and part-time instructors enhance our clinical and academic instruction. The core faculty to student enrollment is 1:13.

Enrollment
The total enrollment for Georgia State University is 33,861 students (58% female, 42% male). Thirty-eight students are accepted into each class from an applicant pool of approximately 300.

Admission
The Division of Physical Therapy endeavors to attract and admit a diverse population of students to create a truly heterogeneous environment. Candidates are accepted from a variety of schools and represent diverse life experiences, leadership histories and personal characteristics such as race, gender and age. The DPT curriculum at Georgia State University demands rigorous scholarly effort. We welcome students with different strengths and backgrounds to the program. To gain admission, students must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The baccalaureate degree must be completed prior to matriculation into the DPT program and should be in the student’s area of interest. Admission to the DPT program is competitive and based on a number of factors, including cummulative grade point average (GPA), prerequisite GPA, Graduate Record Examination scores,ability to handle a full academic load, hours completed, prerequisites completed, general knowledge of physical therapy, extracurricular and leadership activities, and the ability to express oneself adequately in written and verbal communication. Prerequisites include 2 courses in physics, 2 courses in chemistry, 2 courses in anatomy and physiology, 1 course in psychology, 1 course in statistics, 1 course in biology. A minimum of 80 hours of paid or volunteer experience in two different physical therapy practice settings is required with a minimum of 20 hours in each practice setting. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is recommended and a minimum pre-requisite GPA of 3.0 is required. A minimum total score of 1000 on the GRE is required, including a minimum score of 400 on the verbal portion and minimum score of 3.5 on the analytical writing section. Please refer to the website (www.gsu.edu/pt) for detailed information of the admissions process.

Outcomes
99% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average, 2010-2013).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year: in-state tuition (Georgia resident) is $357.00 per semester hour for graduate students; in-state tuition (Georgia resident) per semester is $4,284.00 for graduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester hours; out-of-state tuition is $1221.00 per semester hour for graduate students; and out-of-state tuition is $14,652.00 for graduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester hours. There is a mandatory student fee of $814.00 per semester. For questions related to residency status, call 404/413-2600. For Financial Aid information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 404/413-2400.

Student life
Georgia State University is the embodiment of the idea that a great university is accessible, responsive, and relevant. Accessibility means central location and low cost. Georgia State University, one of the southeast’s largest urban universities, is situated in the heart of Atlanta’s business, government, cultural, and retail center. Atlanta is the center of medicine, health services and research for Georgia and much of the southeast. Cultural, recreational, and social opportunities are abundant in the Atlanta area. Georgia State University is committed to the ideal that total education involves more than academic pursuit. Students are encouraged to get involved with student activities and organizations that provide opportunities for personal growth. An application for admission may be obtained at www.gsu.edu (Under ‘Colleges & School’s select CHHS; Under ‘Schools & Depts’ select Physical Therapy; Click on ‘Prospective Student’; Click on Graduate Application; then click on ‘Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Application’).