College of Health and Urban Affairs
School of Health

Department of Physical Therapy

Program Coordinator :
Professional Preparation : Dr. Helen Cornely
Post-Professional Preparation : Dr. Awilda Haskins

Department’s Phone Number : (305) 348-3647
Department’s FAX Number : (305) 348-1979

For More Information, go to

• Program's web site
• CHUA web site

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Brief Description of the Program:

Professional Preparation (Entry-level) Program

         The Professional Preparation Program in Physical Therapy is designed for those already possess a Bachelor’s Degree, and who wish to become practicing physical therapists.

         The program is rigorous, and is recommended only for highly motivated students with proven records of success as undergraduates.

         Upon completion of this program, students will earn a Degree of Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MS), and will be eligible to apply for licensure as a Physical Therapist anywhere in the United States and several other jurisdictions.

         The program of studies includes 81 credits of didactic and laboratory training. It is designed for full-time students, and requires 7 semesters of full-time study.

         Admission to the program is limited to approximately 36 students per year.

Post-professional (Advanced) Preparation Program

        The Post-professional Master’s Degree Program is designed to enable physical therapists to pursue attainment of advanced education and research skills in the area of geriatric physical therapy. This degree is for persons who already have earned a Bachelors degree in Physical Therapy.

        In most cases, physical therapists completing the Post-professional Master’s Degree Program can simultaneously earn a graduate certificate in gerontology. The curriculum is comprised of three basic components:

• gerontology courses designed to increase understanding of the theoretical basis and current issues of physical therapy practice with older adults.
• a research sequence designed to improve the physical therapist’s ability to engage in research and
• graduate level elective courses which will allow the physical therapist to obtain additional skills and knowledge in the areas of physical therapy and in other areas of interest.

The program permits part-time as well as full-time study. The physical therapist that elects to complete the program on a full-time basis can complete the physical therapy coursework in three full semesters. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of the initial admission into the program.

        The goals of the program are to:

1. Provide physical therapists with advanced skills for diverse settings.
2. Prepare individuals to apply scientific principle of human movement, including identification, prevention, assessment, and correction of acute or chronic movement dysfunction.
3. Provide physical therapists with advanced skills and knowledge commensurate with the expanding need for health care services.

Application Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy or the equivalent from an accredited institution.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale (upper division) OR a combined score of 1000 (verbal & quantitative parts) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
• Evidence of graduation from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), or
• A physical therapy evaluation by a credentialing service approved by any Board of Physical Therapy in the United States. Please note: When filling out the application for credential evaluation, please specify that you need an evaluation for licensure purposes according to the CAPTE requirements. To obtain a list of, for the purpose of licensure, approved credentialing agencies, approved by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, contact the:
  
  Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice
  4052 Bald Cypress Way
  Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
  (850) 245-4373
  
  
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation to include one from each of the following persons: a college or university professor; a physical therapist; a current or past employer.
• A curriculum vita/resume.
• A summary statement of professional and educational goals and assessment of current professional activities (attached to resume), and
• A copy of a license to practice physical therapy in the State of Florida or other state in the United States or evidence of eligibility for licensure in any state in the United States.

Note: Effective Admissions for FALL 2004, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale (upper division) AND a combined score of 1000 (verbal & quantitative parts) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Additional Requirements for International Students:

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