Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program prepares the student for licensure and practice in the field of physical therapy. Physical therapists are health care professionals who provide prevention and rehabilitation service to individuals of all ages with physical impairments, functional limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease of other causes. Physical therapist responsibilities include:

• examine and evaluate individuals with movement related problems.

• diagnose and manage movement dysfunction to enhance physical and functional abilities.

• promote physical function and wellness to provide optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health.

• prevent the onset of symptoms and the progression of movement related problems.

Treatment by physical therapists includes education, exercise, joint and soft tissue mobilization and manipulation, cardiovascular endurance training, neuromuscular re-education, the therapeutic application of biophysical agents, and activities of daily living training. Physical Therapists find careers in settings ranging from hospitals and rehabilitation centers to private practices, pediatric facilities, home health agencies, school systems, higher education, research institutions, fitness/wellness centers, and long-term care settings.

Candidates for licensure in the US must hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution. Students are admitted to the professional program after completing a bachelor’s degree in a major of choice and all program prerequisites. Highly qualified Bellarmine undergraduate students may be admitted to the early entry Doctor of Physical Therapy Program after completing all university general education requirements and the program prerequisites. Bellarmine undergraduate students admitted to the early entry program receive the Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree after successful completion of all university general education requirements, program prerequisites, and the first year of the professional program. The university awards the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree upon successful completion of the professional curriculum.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program are required to complete a significant number of hours in local, regional, and national clinical education sites. All students should expect reasonable travel requirements, including travel outside of the metropolitan Louisville area, to complete the clinical training necessary for graduation.

Application Information and Admission Criteria for Graduate Students in the DPT Program

Candidates for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must apply through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) available online at www.ptcas.org. Applications are reviewed once they are validated by PTCAS on an ongoing basis using a holistic approach; the absolute deadline for all materials to be submitted through PTCAS is around November 1 of the year before the anticipated start date (see PTCAS portal for exact opening and deadline dates each year).

For more information contact the Office of Student Recruitment and Admission at 800.274.4723 x7100, 502.272.7100 or admissions@bellarmine.edu.

Qualified applicants to the program must meet all of the following admission criteria:

1. Minimum prerequisite grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with the following:

• Letter grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses

• Completed 6 of the 10 prerequisite courses prior to January 1 of the admission year

• Completed all prerequisites prior to entering the professional curriculum

2. Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.

• Applicants who do not have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average will be reviewed for admission if they meet the following requirements:

 Prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or higher
 No prerequisite grade below a C

3. Taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last 5 years with scores reported to Bellarmine University

4. 25 clock hours of documented work or volunteer experience in a physical therapy setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist

5. Submission of two completed reference forms from individuals who can speak about your potential as a physical therapist (see the PTCAS portal for additional details)

6. The ability to meet the technical standards and essential functions required of a physical therapist

7. Successful interview

8. Completion of a criminal background check prior to the program start date

• A student’s acceptance into the program may be revoked if there is a history of felony, crime or other offenses that may prevent student placement with clinical education affiliates while in the program or impact ability to be licensed. Cases will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Director of Clinical Education with consultation from the Program Director and/or other university administrative personnel.

9. Language Proficiency: Bellarmine’s Physical Therapy Program requires an official TOEFL iBT or IELTS score for verification of language proficiency for applicants: a) who were born outside the US, b) for whom English is a second language, or c) who have a degree or transcripts from a non-US institution. Applicants must 1) earn a total score of 83 or higher and a speaking score of 26 or higher on the TOEFL iBT OR 2) earn a total band score of 7 or higher AND a speaking band score of 8 or higher on the IELTS to meet the language proficiency requirement. Only official score reports will be accepted. The program reserves the right to review English language experience or to require a TOEFL or IELTS from any applicant. The official score should be sent to Bellarmine University. Alternatively, students may petition to use one of the following requirements to document English-language proficiency – degree completion from a TOEFL exempt country OR successful completion of Language training at an approved center*. In addition, the program reserves the right to require an in-person or “live” (through distance technology) writing sample from any applicant.

*Bellarmine University recognizes the following standards and centers. The MHS Admission Committee may use discretion and approve other centers:

>> English Language Services level 112 (http://www.els.edu/en)
>> Interlink Level 5 (http://interlink.edu/)
>> Intensive English Program at Indiana University Level 6 (http://iep.indiana.edu/)

10. Additional information is required from international applicants; contact the Office of Graduate Admission for more information.

The prerequisite courses for the program (Bellarmine course equivalencies in parentheses) are:

Required:

• 2 courses of anatomy and physiology with lab (BIOL 108 & 109; two semesters of 300+ level biology courses can substitute for these prerequisites)

• 1 course of general biology at the level of a science major (BIOL 130)

• 2 courses of college chemistry with lab at the level of a science major (CHEM 103 & 104)

• 2 courses of college physics with lab at the level of a science major (PHYS 201 & 202 or PHYS 205 & 206)

• 1 course of psychology or sociology (PSYC 103 or 203, SOC 101)

• 1 course of an advanced natural or social/behavioral science course (seek consultation from an academic advisor or admissions contact below; e.g., BIOL 300, BIOL 313, BIOL 314, BIOL 317, BIOL 410, BIOL 413, BIOL 435, BMB 301, BMB 302, NEUR 420, NEUR 430, CHEM 307, CHEM 308, CHEM 309, CHEM 415, CHEM 421, EXSC 325, EXSC 330, EXSC 365, EXSC 372, EXSC 375, EXSC 410, EXSC 420, PHYS 307, PHYS 404, PHYS 405, PHYS 406, PSYC 304, PSYC 307, PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 405, ANTH 325, SOAN 305, SOAN 310, SOAN 323)

• 1 course of statistics (MATH 205)

Recommended:

• Ethics (PHIL 301 or PHIL 401)

• Medical Terminology (HLTH 120)

• Public Speaking or Communication (e.g., COMM 103, COMM 205, COMM 301, COMM 302)

• English Composition/Writing (e.g., ENGL 101, ENGL 309, COMM 120, COMM 203)

• A lab that includes dissection or prosection (e.g., BIOL 435 and BIOL 435L)

• Exercise Physiology (EXSC 240)

• Research Methods (e.g., EXSC 400, HLTH 350)