Health Science-Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis Traditional Program BS

Mission of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

The mission of the Traditional Physical Therapy program is to provide entry-level physical therapist education to traditional students within a supportive, student-centered environment. The curriculum emphasizes lifelong learning, critical thinking, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Model (ICF) and service to the community.

Upon completion of the Traditional Physical Therapy program at The University of Findlay, the graduate will be prepared to:

  1. Integrate theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills in order to engage in the autonomous practice of physical therapy at the entry level.
  2. Work as a generalist practitioner with the ability to practice in a variety of settings, geographical locations and roles.
  3. Engage in self-motivated, lifelong learning.
  4. Exhibit professional behaviors that include ethical conduct, professionalism, critical thinking and problem solving, safe performance, self-development and effective communication.
  5. Demonstrate an awareness of the value of service to the profession and to the community.
  6. Demonstrate an awareness of individual and cultural differences and psychosocial factors, which may affect human function and quality of life across the lifespan.
  7. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in clinical practice and research.

Admission Requirements of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

There are three options for admission into the DPT program: early assurance; junior admit; or transfer admit.

The early assurance option is available to those high school seniors who meet the following criteria:

  1. Minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale; and
  2. 26 or higher on the ACT or 1760 or higher on the SAT.

The early assurance applicants will be required to apply to The University of Findlay. Then upon acceptance and if the above criteria are met, applicants will be sent a separate supplemental early assurance option application. The second application allows the high school student to provide the reviewers with information on their involvement in extra-curricular activities including service as well as performance in other areas pertinent to granting an invitation for admission to the professional phase of the program as a freshman.

Prior to admission into the professional program during the student’s fourth year, the early assurance students must have completed all of the University general education requirements and competencies plus all program prerequisites. Please see Math/Science Prerequisites and Remaining Prerequisites listed under the “junior admit option” below. Early assurance students must also meet the criteria listed below as “For all applicants.” Specifically, they must

  1. Maintain a minimum overall college grade point average of 3.0 every semester, and a minimum Math/Science Prerequisites GPA of 3.0 by the end of the fall semester of the junior year.
  2. Complete a total of 60 hours of observation in three different physical therapy settings, with a minimum of 20 hours in each setting.
  3. Submit official transcripts, which can be found in the form of attested credentials from a University-recognized document verification agency (i.e., Centralized Application Service application), of all college-level work if courses were taken elsewhere.
  4. Complete the GRE with scores reported to The University of Findlay.
  5. Declare and complete a minor prior to entering the DPT program or declare a dual major and complete all undergraduate requirements prior to entering the DPT program.

The junior admit option is available to the students who have completed three years of undergraduate work at The University of Findlay. Six of the following Math/Science Prerequisites, not including labs, should be completed before making application to the program (these courses are used to calculate the math/science GPA during the admissions process). A minor or dual major must be declared and all undergraduate requirements completed prior to entering the DPT program.

Math/Science Prerequisites:

HPE 308Physiology of Exercise

3

PHED 336Kinesiology/Biomechanics

3

BIOL 322Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

BIOL 322LHuman Anatomy & Physiology/Lab

1

BIOL 323Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

BIOL 323LHuman Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab

1

CHEM 130General Chemistry I/Lecture

3

CHEM 130LGeneral Chemistry I/Lab

1

CHEM 131General Chemistry II/Lecture

3

CHEM 131LGeneral Chemistry II/Lab

1

MATH 123Elementary Statistics

3

PHYS 250General Physics I/Lecture

3

PHYS 250LGeneral Physics I/Lab

1

PHYS 251General Physics II/Lecture

3

PHYS 251LGeneral Physics II/Lab

1


Prior to admission into the professional program, the junior admit applicants must have completed all of the University CORE+ general education requirements and the following prerequisites:

Descriptions of these courses can be found in The University of Findlay undergraduate catalog. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.

For UF students with a previous baccalaureate degree, HEPR 150, the general education prerequisites and the competencies are waived.

The transfer admit option is available to the students who are not enrolled at The University of Findlay at the time of application. Transfer admit applicants are able to apply during the fall of their senior (4th) year and must have a bachelor’s degree from a UF approved regionally accredited institution completed prior to entering the DPT program.

Furthermore, transfer admit applicants must complete all of the above listed prerequisites (Math/Science Prerequisites and Remaining Prerequisites listed under the “junior admit option”) prior to enrollment in the professional curriculum with the exception of HEPR 150, the general education prerequisites and the competencies.

For ALL applicants, the following admission criteria must be met prior to entering the professional phase of the program:

  1. Minimum overall college grade point average of 3.0, and a minimum Math/Science Prerequisites GPA of 3.0.
  2. Complete a total of 60 hours of observation in three different physical therapy settings, with a minimum of 20 hours in each setting.
  3. Complete the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS) which includes Traditional program supplemental application materials (UF junior-level and transfer applicants, only). PTCAS and the supplemental application include letters of recommendations as well as descriptions of experiences in the field, community and campus used to determine the student’s admission to the professional phase of the program.
  4. Submit official transcripts, which can be found in the form of attested credentials from a University-recognized document verification agency (i.e., Centralized Application Service application), of all college-level work (UF students who have taken courses elsewhere and transfer applicants, only).
  5. Complete the GRE with scores reported to PTCAS.
  6. Students whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from American universities must meet the previously listed admissions conditions, plus:
    1. Have a verified TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) minimum total score of 89 with 26 or better in speaking and 24 or better in writing or a verified International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic score with a minimum overall band score of 7.0. Students not supplying an IELTS score are required to test in the Intensive English Language Program, and if necessary, complete coursework in English.
    2. Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident.

Major Requirements of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

In the Traditional Physical Therapy program, students take three years of prerequisites, then three years of professional study, for a total of six years. At the end of the fourth year, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences-pre-physical therapy emphasis. After successful completion of the sixth year, students receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

For the Traditional program, a major in health science-pre-physical therapy emphasis consists of:

HEPR 150Introduction to Health Professions

1

HEPR 220Medical Terminology

3

HPE 308Physiology of Exercise

3

PHED 336Kinesiology/Biomechanics

3

BIOL 322Human Anatomy & Physiology I

3

BIOL 322LHuman Anatomy & Physiology/Lab

1

BIOL 323Human Anatomy & Physiology II

3

BIOL 323LHuman Anatomy & Physiology II/Lab

1

CHEM 130General Chemistry I/Lecture

3

CHEM 130LGeneral Chemistry I/Lab

1

CHEM 131General Chemistry II/Lecture

3

CHEM 131LGeneral Chemistry II/Lab

1

MATH 123Elementary Statistics

3

PHYS 250General Physics I/Lecture

3

PHYS 250LGeneral Physics I/Lab

1

PHYS 251General Physics II/Lecture

3

PHYS 251LGeneral Physics II/Lab

1

PSYC 100General Psychology

3

PSYC 208Lifespan Development

3

PSYC 233Abnormal Psychology

3

The bachelor’s degree will be awarded after the first year of graduate-level course work.