Admissions

The College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program uses a holistic admissions process for students who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is open on a competitive admissions basis to applicants having bachelor's degrees in any field but who have not completed an accredited physical therapy program. To select these candidates, a competitive admissions framework has been established. Within this competitive admissions framework, multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available. The Physical Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy Schools (PTCAS). The Physical Therapy Program Admissions Committee reviews completed applications throughout the admissions cycle to determine the applicant's eligibility for an interview. Interviews are typically conducted during the fall and winter. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Physical Therapy Program must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum science GPA of 2.9 on a 4.0 scale. A pre-requisite GPA of 3.0 or greater may be considered for admission if the cumulative and/or science GPA(s) is(are) below the minimum criteria.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses totaling 46 semester/66 quarter credits as listed below from a regionally accredited college or university.
   • o Grades of C or better (grades of C- are NOT acceptable) in each course.
4. Completion of a total of 30 hours of observation, volunteerism or paid work in a physical therapy setting is required for admission. These hours must be verified by a Physical Therapist. Additional hours will not strengthen an application.
5. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
6. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
7. Motivation and commitment to learning, including self-directed learning.
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
9. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
10. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.
11. Provision of additional documentation needed to meet specific program requirements.

Prerequisite Courses

Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission to the Physical Therapy Program, applicants must submit the following to Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

1. PTCAS Application
   Applicants are required to submit their applications to PTCAS at http://www.ptcas.org by March 15th. Please refer to the PTCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. The PTCAS application should be available for applicants during the summer months. The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program reviews completed applications throughout the admissions cycle. Candidates seeking admission into the hybrid pathway must complete the supplemental questions on the PTCAS application.
2. Completed Applications
   The Office of Admissions will send emails verifying receipt of PTCAS applications with all required materials to all applicants who meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0. The emails will also include instructions on checking the status of the required application materials online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit completed applications with all required application materials by March 15th will be considered for potential entrance into the program.
   
   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores using the Midwestern University institution code of 4160 are strongly recommended for candidates with a GPA below a 3.2, although not required. Only test scores earned during the previous five years and sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will be accepted. The Office of Admissions must receive official GRE scores no later than March 15th.

• • GRE scores can strengthen an application.
  • For more information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 609/771-7670 or 866/473-4373 or visit www.gre.org

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or email address. All application withdrawal requests must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to:

Office of Admissions Midwestern University
19955 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
888/247-9277 or 623/572-3215
admissaz@midwestern.edu

Interview and Selection Process

When applicants are considered eligible for interviews after review of their completed admissions files, they are notified of available interview dates and invited by the Office of Admissions to schedule a virtual interview. A typical interview day involves virtual participation in the following activities, which are coordinated by the Office of Admissions: an interview with at least two interviewers, interaction with Midwestern University physical therapy students, a campus tour, and an opportunity to meet with program faculty and an admissions counselor. During interview sessions, the interviewer questions applicants about their academic, personal, and professional experiences, aspirations and preparedness for admission to the Physical Therapy Program. Each interviewer rates prospective students on a standardized evaluation form. These evaluations are included in the applicant files provided to the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee. The Physical Therapy Admissions Committee meets after each interview panel to review the files of applicants who have been interviewed. The committee reviews the full application files for interviewed applicants and then formulates and submits recommendations to the Dean for final approval. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants in writing of admission decisions.

Reapplication Process

Students who receive either denial or end-of-cycle letters may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Before reapplying, individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor.

To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit a new application through the standard application process.

Transfer Process

The Physical Therapy Program does not accept transfer students.