collageIf you want to enter a physical therapy program, it is important to familiarize yourself with what the typical requirements are. Here’s a quick look at what you need to know:
A bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree in a related health field is required to enter physical therapy school, as well as for licensure once you graduate. The following list of majors may help you decide which major best fits your interests:
- Biology
- Kinesiology
- Physical Therapy Assistant
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, other requirements include:
A GPA of about 3.0 for undergraduate studies
A good GPA for undergraduate studies is about 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. However, it’s important to remember that different universities have different requirements for the minimum GPA you need to apply and get accepted into their physical therapy program. Some universities require a minimum of 3.0 or higher, while others expect a minimum of 3.5 or higher in order to be considered eligible for acceptance into the school’s physical therapy program.
It’s also worth noting that some schools only consider applicants whose GPAs fall within certain ranges (for example, those who have GPAs between 2.8 and 3.2), so make sure you check with each university individually before applying if your GPA falls outside these parameters!
1,000 or more hours of experience in physical therapy services
There’s no set number of hours for physical therapy experience you need to have before applying to a masters in physical therapy program. However, as a general rule of thumb, schools like to see at least 1,000 hours of experience under your belt—and those that require more than 2,000 hours are few and far between.
For many students seeking entry into a DPT program, this can pose a problem: How do you get the required amount of experience? And how can you make sure you don’t waste time working on something that doesn’t actually count toward your application? Here are some tips on how to navigate this tricky process:
- Keep track of your hours carefully! Most PT programs will ask students for documentation proving their work history and how long they’ve been practicing physical therapy. This means keeping accurate records is essential; if there’s any discrepancy between what they say and what their documents show up as having done during their career thus far (including internships), then their entire application could be rejected based off inaccurate information alone! So don’t forget about keeping track online through spreadsheets or handwritten notes—whatever works best for each student individually.”
A deep understanding of how physical therapy helps patients and how to gain skills that help you better provide care.
You’ll need to understand the role of physical therapy in the medical field, as well as how to help patients regain their mobility. This knowledge is vital for successfully completing your degree program and for becoming a successful physical therapist.
If you want to enter a physical therapy program, it is important to familiarize yourself with what the typical requirements are.
To become a physical therapist, you’ll need to complete the following steps and requirements:
- Undergraduate degree. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission into most PT programs in the United States. The minimum GPA of 3.0 is usually required for undergraduate studies, but some schools may require higher GPAs or other qualifications.
- Graduate school application process. You’ll need to apply on time with official transcripts from all colleges attended and letters of recommendation from professors or other professionals who can attest to your competence as a student and potential as a future physical therapist. You may also be asked to take an entrance exam such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
- Physical therapy experience requirement—1,000 hours minimum requirement; 2 years of full-time work experience preferred by many graduate programs but not required by all schools; must be supervised by a licensed physical therapist at all times during these hours/years; must have experience working directly with patients within this field
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Masters In Physical Therapy Overview
Physiotherapy is an interdisciplinary subject and a branch of Medicine & Health. Students taking a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physiotherapy learn how to help people with physical impairments.
During Physiotherapy courses, students learn notions of Psychology, as well as Reflexology. They use this knowledge, as well as movement, exercises and advice to help patients overcome their disabilities and improve their overall quality of life. Think of a life coach for your body, and you have the general image of a Physiotherapist.
Students also discover how to use and adjust treatment plans and adapt them depending on patients’ specific needs. Physical therapy involves many human skills. You will need a lot of patience and understanding as you help people recover.
Some of the subjects covered by courses in Physiotherapy are Therapeutic Practice, Electrotherapy, Basic Motor Skills of Children with Disabilities, Pain Therapy, Medical Recovery, and Kinesiology.
After graduation, you can work as a: physiotherapist, sports therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, exercise physiologist, and others. You will be able to work in hospitals, private clinics, special schools, community centres, nursing homes or sports clubs.
Admissions
The University of Toronto’s Department of Physical Therapy offers a Master of Science in Physical Therapy program.
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) is a 24-month professional graduate program leading to entry to practice. The program is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). Graduates will be eligible to write the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE), administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, which qualifies them to practise physical therapy in Canada. Graduates will be eligible to register in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Colleges of Physiotherapy in all Canadian provinces.
The Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Advanced-Standing Option is a 12-month professional graduate degree program that allows eligible physical therapists with a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy to acquire the MScPT degree in an online environment with one on-campus residency. Applications will be considered from physical therapists who have successfully completed the national Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Examination (with the exception of individuals licensed to practice in Quebec) and are licensed for independent practice in Canada with a provincial regulating body. There is a strong focus on research and best practices integrated throughout the program. Please note: admissions to the MScPT Advanced-Standing option have been suspended.
See video: Explore Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Medicine.Please note: the Department of Physical Therapy will not be able to consider international applicants during the 2019-20 application cycle for admission in September 2020.
Quick Facts
| Domestic | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Application payment deadline | MScPT:early January 2021 (exact date to be posted in mid- October at https://www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/) | |
| Supporting documents deadline | MScPT:early January 2021 (exact date to be posted in mid- October at https://www.ouac.on.ca/orpas/) | |
| Minimum admission average | MScPT:mid-B average in the final year | |
| Program length (full-time only) | MScPT:24 months |
Master of Science in Physical Therapy
Program Description
24-Month Option
The MScPT is a 24-month professional program leading to entry to practice. The program is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) and more information about accreditation is available on the Department of Physical Therapy’s website. Graduates will be eligible to write the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE), administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, which qualifies them to practise physical therapy in Canada. Graduates will be eligible to register in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Colleges of Physiotherapy in all Canadian provinces.
12-Month Option (admissions have been administratively suspended)
The Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Advanced-Standing Option allows eligible physical therapists with a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy to acquire the master’s degree in an online environment with on-campus residency. There is a strong focus on research and best practices integrated throughout the program.
MScPT Program (24-Month Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
- Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physical Therapy’s additional admission requirements stated below.
- Applicants are considered if they hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree with high academic standing from a recognized university, with a minimum mid-B average in the final year.
- Prerequisite courses include human vertebrate physiology (0.5 full-course equivalent [FCE]); human anatomy (0.5 FCE); life and/or physical sciences (1.0 FCE); social sciences, and/or humanities, and/or languages (1.0 FCE); and statistics or research methods (0.5 FCE). A minimum grade of B– (or 70%) in each of these courses, as per the grade recorded on the transcript, is required.
- Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The department prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- Paper-based test: a minimum score of 600, with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)
- Internet-based test: a minimum score of 100/120 overall, and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.
- TOEFL candidates must request that results be sent to institution code 0982.
- Results are due by March 1 of the application year.
- Complete a mandatory, 90-minute computer-based situational judgment test (CASPer) to assist with the selection process. CASPer assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that are important for successful students and graduates of the program.
- The CASPer z-score will be used as the initial screening process. Applicants must score ≥ -1 in order to proceed to the next stage of the admission cycle. Please refer to the Physical Therapy website for details on how the results are used in the admission process.
- Applicants can apply online using the Ontario Rehabilitation Sciences Programs Application Service (ORPAS). Visit the Physical Therapy and the ORPAS websites for more information regarding application requirements and document submissions.
Program Requirements
- Coursework. Students must complete 18.75 full-course equivalents (FCEs) over two years of continuous, full-time study.
- Included within the program structure are 30 weeks of full-time clinical internships.
- Students are required to complete all courses included in the required course list below.
Program Length
6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years
MScPT Program (12-Month Advanced-Standing Option)
Admissions to the advanced-standing option have been administratively suspended.
Minimum Admission Requirements
- Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physical Therapy’s additional admission requirements stated below.
- Applicants who are eligible physical therapists will be considered if they have completed an appropriate bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy with a minimum mid-B average in the final year.
- Applicants must have successfully completed the national Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Examination (with the exception of individuals licensed to practise in Quebec) and be licensed for independent practice in Canada with a provincial regulating body.
- Proficiency in the English language must be demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English. The department prefers the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- Paper-based test: a minimum score of 600, with 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) and 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)
- Internet-based test: a minimum score of 100/120 overall, and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.
- Applicants apply using the SGS Online Admissions Application system. Visit the Physical Therapy website for more information on application requirements and document submissions.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete this program option in an online environment with mandatory on-campus residency requirements.
- Students must attend unit 6 PHT 1006Y (0.75 FCE) and unit 12 PHT 1012Y (1.0 FCE) in on-campus residency periods.
- Students must complete unit 10 PHT 1010Y, a group research project, via online format (0.75 FCE).
- Students must complete PHT 1016H Evidence Based Practice in Physical Therapy (0.5 FCE).
- Complete an elective course (0.5 FCE) either online or on campus.
- For information on units of instruction, please visit the Physical Therapy website.
- Students must complete the program option in an online environment. In addition, there are two mandatory on-campus residencies, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.
Program Length
3 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years
Master of Science in Physical Therapy
Our 24 month Master of Science in Physical Therapy is an entry to practice program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree.
Before applying for the 24 month Master of Science in PT program, we recommend applicants review the How to Apply section, the Prerequisite Verification page, our list of Important Dates, and our Admissions Events. We have also created an extensive FAQ section for any questions you may have.
Conclusion
In short, if your goal is to become a physical therapist, it is important to know what it takes to get into a program and how you can prepare for that. In addition, it’s also helpful to understand what will be expected of you once you’re enrolled in school. By doing this research now, you’ll have an advantage over other applicants when applying later on down the road!
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