Physical Therapy
Master of Physical Therapy Prerequisites
- The MPT Prerequisites are no longer valid click here to learn more about the newly implemented DPT Prerequisites
- For Information on the Master of Physical Therapy Curriculum Click Here
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE) since its inception and is currently accredited through the year 2008. The TTUHSC-MPT Program is scheduled to go through the Re-accreditation process in 2008.
The philosophy of the MPT program is to prepare students to be engaged members of the profession and the health care delivery system. The faculty are committed to providing opportunities for students to become responsible physical therapists in a broad range of activities, roles, and settings in the current and future health care environment. We expect that a graduate of our program will exhibit a commitment to lifelong learning and will excel as a practitioner of evidence-based physical therapy.
The faculty of the MPT program believe that the educational process extends beyond the physical therapy curriculum to various life experiences. It is our intention to develop in the student a sense of responsibility to society, an awareness of his or her duties as a health care professional, provide motivation to continue personal and professional growth, and to foster a desire to contribute to the profession of physical therapy.
The three-year TTUHSC-MPT program has two components: academic and clinical. The academic component, via classroom and laboratory experiences, includes biological and physical sciences, behavioral sciences, and clinical sciences. Clinical education, which consists of 32 weeks of clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, allows the student to apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors learned during the academic component. The clinical experiences are integrated into the curriculum, which allows the students to practice professional behaviors as well as skills soon after completing the corresponding academic course work. Clinical experiences focus on basic, musculoskeletal, and neurologic skills. Students also participate in a clinical experience designed to meet individual interests, which may include pediatrics, sports medicine, women’s health, etc. Sites for clinical experiences are located primarily throughout Texas and the Southwestern US, but can be located anywhere in the US mainland. Students should anticipate additional costs during their clinical experiences. Students must pass a Criminal Background Check in order to participate in clinical experiences. Many clinical education sites also require a drug screening prior to beginning the experience.
The MPT program is housed on three campuses within the TTUHSC system: Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa. Class sizes at all campuses are restricted to ensure optimal student/instructor ratios and to maximize comprehensive instructional and laboratory experiences. Faculty and students on all campuses communicate with each other in person, via a state-of-the-art interactive multimedia environment, by e-mail, and by telephone. Students entering the program should possess basic computer skills, including the use of e-mail, accessing the internet, and the use of word processing programs. Computer labs are located on each campus to meet the information technology needs of the student.
Successful completion of the professional curriculum leads to a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree. After graduating from an accredited physical therapy professional education program, physical therapist candidates must pass a national licensure examination in order to practice physical therapy. Additional licensure requirements for physical therapists vary from state to state, according to practice acts and state regulations that govern the practice of physical therapy.
Admission to the Program
The professional phase of physical therapy education begins in late May each year. A minimum of 90 semester hours of credit, including the courses listed below, is required prior to enrollment and may be completed in any accredited college or university. Successful completion of upper level science coursework (junior/senior level at a four year college or university) and a bachelor’s degree will strengthen an application and should be a consideration when students enroll in elective credits.
G.P.A. Requirements
Competitive* cumulative and prerequisite science grade point averages (GPA’s) are required for admission. Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree is encouraged and will strengthen an application. (*“Competitive GPA” relates to the strength of the applicant pool during the year of application.) Further information related to GPA can be located on our MPT FAQ page.
Experience
Applicants are expected to have some experience of the profession prior to application. This experience may be acquired in several ways, including volunteer work, paid employment, or observations in clinical settings. Applicants must have completed at least 50 clock hours of experience in a physical therapy setting prior to May 1 of the year of matriculation. Applicants are encouraged to get as much experience in as many different settings (inpatient, outpatient, rehab, acute care, aquatics, wound care etc.) as possible. Greater clock hours of experience in a variety of settings will strengthen an application.
Prerequisite Requirements to be Completed
| General Chemistry (for majors, lab required) | 8 hours |
| General Physics (for majors, lab required) | 8 hours |
| General Biology (for majors, lab required) | 8 hours |
| Anatomy and Physiology (for majors, lab required; one upper level*) | 6-8 hours |
| Psychology/Sociology | 6 hours |
| Math (College Algebra) | 3 hours |
| Statistics | 3 hours |
| English or Technical Writing | 6 hours |
| Electives** | 40-42 hours |
| Total Hours | 90 hours |
*“Upper Level” courses are Junior or Senior level courses at a 4 year university or college.
**Recommended courses: Additional English, technical writing, speech, developmental and general psychology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics and core coursework required for a bachelor’s degree.
The Application Process
Applications are considered twice a year for acceptance into the professional program. Application deadlines are September 15th for the early admission cycle and January 15th for the regular admission cycle. Consideration for early admission is reserved for those individuals that have a complete application package (including completion of all or most of the prerequisite coursework) and competitive GPA. Classes for each new cohort of students begin in late May. Individual applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled for competitive applicants once all materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete their application, including submission of transcripts and clinical experience documentation forms, as early as possible. Two letters of recommendation are required as part of the application, and should be completed by the following: one from professional personnel who has observed the applicant during any related volunteer or paid work, and one from a previous or present instructor and/or counselor or from a previous or present employer.
Applicants who meet the above listed requirements and are deemed suitable candidates for admission will be invited to TTUHSC for interviews. Applicants should understand that fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. The admissions committee selects the most qualified applicants from the pool of applicants interviewed considering: cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, interview scores, upper level coursework, completion of a bachelor’s degree, volunteer/work experience in physical therapy, recommendation letters, student essay, and other factors.
Applicants must have completed all prerequisites prior to matriculation into the MPT program. Applicants to the physical therapy program should understand that students admitted to the program are assigned to a specific campus (Lubbock, Amarillo, or Odessa), and requests for campus changes are not typically granted. Students who are unable or unwilling to accept assignment to a specific campus should not accept admission to the Physical Therapy program. All students attend classes during the first summer session on the Lubbock campus.
All applications are made online at the following web address:
http://techsis.tosm.ttu.edu/student/alliedhealth.htm
Additional application materials should be sent to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Office of the Registrar, 3601 4th Street, Stop 8310, Lubbock, Texas 79430.
Essential Functions
A student admitted into the MPT program must meet essential functions that are necessary to be able to obtain employment. These are established minimum physical and mental guidelines necessary for the MPT program. Prior to matriculation, all students must submit verification of their ability to perform at or above the minimum physical and mental guidelines established by the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (DRS). You may obtain a written copy of the essential functions from the MPT program director or you may find a list of the essential functions for the MPT program and DRS in the DRS Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself with the essential functions document. (http://www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/current/handbooks.aspx)