Physical Therapy

Entry Requirements

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 2.75 and a 3.0 average in the major field. Please note: while the minimum required cumulative index is 2.75, in most cases graduate level students enter this program of study with 3.0 or above.
2. Presentation of official transcripts.
3. Two letters of recommendation.
4. Application and fee.
5. Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
6. The Physical Therapy Department will directly contact an applicant following review of his or her application materials to arrange an interview.

Application Deadlines

For Fall Term only:
The application deadline is the first of every month, except in the months of January, August, and December when no admissions decisions are made.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants whose undergraduate/graduate preparation in health sciences is deficient will be required to complete pre-requisite courses in an extended program. The following course work, or equivalents, is required before a student may begin Master of Science in Physical Therapy coursework: general biology with laboratory; inorganic chemistry with laboratory; anatomy and physiology with laboratory; physics with laboratory; human gross anatomy with laboratory.

Since Gross Anatomy (HSC306) is only offered in the summer term, graduate students may be admitted to the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program without having completed this pre-requisite requirement, but must successfully pass Gross Anatomy before taking additional program coursework.

Preparatory Physical Therapy Coursework

Applicants must also have completed a minimum of 35 credit hours of undergraduate coursework in the areas of neuroscience I and II, pathophysiology, patient management I and II, ethics, professional seminar, kinesiology, management of child neuromus problems, management of adult neuromus problems, professional issues, and intro to reasearch methods. Students must obtain a grade of “B” or higher in all prerequisite courses to continue in the program. See the Nazareth Undergraduate Catalog for specific coursework requirements in the five-year Health Science/Physical Therapy program.

Program Requirements

Note: The Physical Therapy Program requires one 40-hour observational experience in clinical settings that have different emphases (e.g., inpatient acute, outpatient).

• PTR 501 - Management of Clients/Patients With Musculoskeletal Problems of the Axial Skeleton Credits: 3
• PTR 503 - Neuromuscular Patient Management/Adult Credits: 3
• PTR 504 - Rehabilitation of Patients With Functional Limitations Credits: 3
• PTR 505 - Management of Children With Neuromuscular Problems Credits: 3
• PTR 506 - Management of Patients With Cardiopulmonary Problems Credits: 3
• PTR 507 - The Business of Physical Therapy Credits: 3
• PTR 508 - Case Study of Physical Therapy Credits: 2
• PTR 509 - Professional Issues II Credits: 3
• PTR 510 - Professional Issues IV Credits: 2
• PTR 551 - Clinical Education Experience II Credits: 8
• PTR 561 - Research Methods in Physical Therapy Credits: 2
• PTR 651 - Clinical Education Experience III Credits: 6
• PTR 652 - Clinical Education Experience IV Credits: 6
• PTR 653-656 - Clinical Experience VI Credits: 3
• PTR 697 - Graduate Seminar Credits: 3
• PTR 698 - Graduate Project Credits: 6

Total Credits: 59