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Admission to the University
FAQ Prerequisite Courses & Alternatives PT Application Packet
Freshman and transfer students planning to major in pre-physical therapy can apply for admission to the University of Missouri-Columbia by contacting:
Director of Admissions
230 Jesse Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211-1300
Phone: (573) 882-7786 Fax: (573) 882-7887
Pre-physical therapy students at MU are enrolled in the School of Health Professions for advisement during the freshman and sophomore years.
Declaration of a pre-physical therapy major does not assure the student a place in the professional program despite satisfactory academic performance at MU or another institution.
Application to the Program
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A four-year college degree is not required prior to admission to the program. Students who apply to the program must be at least college sophomores and have a 3.0 grade point average (4.0 scale) in prerequisite courses. A minimum of a "C" (2.0) is required in all prerequisite courses. No more than two of the required science courses may be remaining for completion during the winter semester of the year of application.
Enrollment in the professional program is limited; acceptance is competitive. The prerequisite and science grade point averages of recent classes are above 3.5. The GRE (verbal and quantitative scales only) of accepted students with a four-year degree is above 1000.
Applications are available at the bottom of this page, or printed applications may be requested in writing from the PT office. Applications must be completed and returned by January 24 without exception. Applications that do not meet this deadline will not be considered. The admissions committee reviews and evaluates each completed application. Top-ranked applicants who meet course and grade point requirements are invited to campus for interviews.
Students are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievement, GRE test scores, pattern of academic achievement, evidence of interest and motivation demonstrated by employment and volunteer activities, knowledge of the field, extracurricular activities, verbal expression, the personal interview and recommendations. A maximum of 40 students are admitted each year.
Acceptance is conditional until the student has completed all prerequisite course work. If a student receives less than a C (2.0) grade in a remaining required course, acceptance to the department may be withdrawn by the admissions committee. Transfer students must be accepted by the University and have all previous course work validated through an official transcript. Transfer students will not be required to apply for general admission to the University until they have received notification of their acceptance to the Department of Physical Therapy.
Observation or Volunteer Experience
A minimum of 40 hours of observation / volunteer work / employment in two different types
of physical therapy settings (ie. peds, outpatient, hospital, home health, rehab, etc.) under
the supervision of a physical therapist is required. The settings, dates, hours, and supervisor must be documented.
Language Requirement
Prospective students for whom English is spoken as a second language may be required to complete tests of spoken and written English.
Drug Testing and Criminal Background Check Requirements
Due to current healthcare regulations and University policy, students that test positive for illegal drugs or appear on a formal Government Sanction List (e.g. Employee Disqualification List, Missouri Division of Family Services, Office of Inspector General Exclusion) will not be eligible to complete the requirements for graduation from our program. Drug screening and criminal background checks are required and must be on file with the PT department during the Fall semester of the first professional year.
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Following are guidelines for students completing the Department of Physical Therapy prerequisite courses at MU or another institution. All course credits are listed as semester hours (3 quarter hours = 2 semester hours)
Students who are applying who have already completed a baccalaureate degree, must meet the Physical Science and the Biological Science requirements listed below.
Communication Skills
MU requirements: English Exposition 1000 [20] (3hrs).
Other institutions: A course of English composition. Where there are two courses in sequence (composition I and II) in English composition the second course usually meets the English 1000 [20] requirement.
Humanities
The humanities requirement must be satisfied before entering the program. Please refer to the under-graduate catalog or see advisor for details.
Psychology
MU requirements: General Psychology 1000 [1] (3hrs); and another psychology course or Human Growth and Development (2 or 3hrs).
Other institutions: General Psychology, Introduction or Principles of Psychology AND Psychology of Adjustment, Experimental Psychology, Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Child Psychology, Child Development, or Educational Psychology.
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences requirement must be satisfied before entering the program. Please refer to the under-graduate catalog or advisor for details.
Mathematics
MU requirements: Math 1100 [10] - College Algebra (3hrs).
Other institutions: Do not select elementary mathematics, intermediate mathematics or
mathematics for teachers. The student must complete college algebra or a higher level mathematics course (3hrs) or have an ACT math subscore of 26 or above.
Physical Sciences
MU requirements: General Chemistry 1310 [31] and 1320 [32] (5hrs); AND College Physics 1210 [21] and 1220 [22] (8hrs).
Other institutions: The combination of physical science courses must total at least 12
credit hours. Chemistry (choose a general inorganic course with a lab) (5-8hrs); and Physics
(choose a general physics course with lab; should include coverage of mechanics, sound, magnetism, electricity, light and heat) (5-8hrs). Avoid "introduction", "summary" or terminal" courses. General physical science courses and geology courses will not meet the physical science requirement.
Biological Sciences
MU requirements: Biological Sciences - General Biology (5hrs) AND Physiology 3203 [201] Elements of Physiology (5hrs) AND a science elective. Other institutions: the combination of biological science courses must total at least 12 credit hours. Includes General Zoology or General Biology (with lab) (4-8hrs); AND Human, Mammalian or Vertebrate Physiology (with lab) AND an advanced biological science (3-5hrs). Two semesters of combined Anatomy and Physiology (with lab) are acceptable for the physiology and science elective requirements, or a single complete Human Anatomy and Physiology course with an additional biological science course (genetics, embryology, histology, pharmacology, etc.) is acceptable.
See physical therapy adviser to determine other acceptable combinations of courses including additional physical sciences in lieu of the third biological science course.
Mathematics Elective
MU requirements: Ed Counseling 4170 [A354] or Statistics 1200 [25] or 1300 [31] or Mathematics 1300 [60] or 1320 [61] or 1500 [80].
Other institutions: a basic statistics course or advanced mathematics course beyond Algebra/Trigonometry (3-5hrs).
Note: The University of Missouri-Columbia has requirements for writing-intensive courses and a computer proficiency course that can only be met on this campus.
PT Application Packet, 2005-2006
To complete your application packet, print the first 3 documents below.
The fourth document is a Sample Curriculum which you may also print for your own reference.
1. General Information for Application - Print it.
2. Application for Admission 2005 - 2006 can be completed in 2 ways:
a. RTF document - File / Save As. Then use the Tab key to move through the grey-shaded fields, while typing in the information. Print it. Sign it.
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OR
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b. Adobe pdf file - Print it. Complete it by using a typewriter, or by hand. Sign it.
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3. Confidential Evaluation of Applicant - print 2 copies
4. Sample Curriculum - Print for your own reference, if you like.
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CHECKLIST:
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Application for Admission (#2) completed |
| _____ |
Curriculum Vitae attached to Application |
| _____ |
Two sealed Confidential Evaluations (#3) |
| _____ |
GRE scores requested (request by December 15th to allow 4 weeks for delivery) |
| _____ |
Transcripts from all schools (except students currently enrolled at MU Columbia Campus). Transcripts from other schools must be submitted directly to the Physical Therapy Dept. |
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Several files above are in pdf format. Adobe Reader is required to view the pdf files. If you do not have it on your local computer, it can be downloaded by going to:
free download
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