CHP: Physical Therapy: Graduate Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

P.O. Box 15105
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-5105
(928) 523-4092 fax: (928) 523-9289
http://www.nau.edu/hp/pt

General Information

A. WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?

The Physical Therapy Program at Northern Arizona University is an entry-level professional program. This means that students who successfully complete the program earn a degree in physical therapy from the University and a certificate of completion from Northern Arizona Universitys College of Health Professions. The program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

B. WHAT DEGREE IS OFFERED BY NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITYS PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?

The doctoral degree in physical therapy (D.P.T) is offered to qualified students accepted into the Physical Therapy Program. Students must have completed all prerequisite courses and have earned a baccalaureate degree in any major of their choice to apply for these degrees.

Students receiving this degree will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in physical therapy.

C. WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS TO THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?

The Physical Therapy program is in the process of changing the required prerequisites for application. For those applying to enter in the fall of 2006 the applicant has their choice of prerequisite groupings. All applicants must complete the listed Anatomy & Physiology, General Chemistry, Physics, and General Psychology requirements. Then the applicant can either complete the Organic Chemistry (CHM 230) and Biochemistry (CHM 360) requirements OR the Statistics and Abnormal or Developmental Psychology requirements. Beginning with applications for fall 2007 only the latter will be accepted.

There are three primary requirements:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree of your choice. There is no preference given to any particular baccalaureate degree.
2. GRE score (TO BE SENT WITH APPLICATION PACKET)
3. Completion of the required prerequisite science courses by the end of the spring semester (or quarter) prior to commencing the program, with no more than two 2 prerequisite courses being taken the last spring. These courses include:
   • one year of laboratory and lecture-based anatomy and physiology courses
   • one year of laboratory and lecture-based general chemistry
   • one year of laboratory and lecture-based college level physics
   • one semester of general psychology
   • one semester of statistics
   • one semester of abnormal OR developmental psychology

At Northern Arizona University, these prerequisite sciences are:

BIO 201 & 202	Anatomy & Physiology
CHM 151, 151L, 152 & 152L	General Chemistry
PHY 111 & 112	Physics
PSY 101	Psychology
STA 270/PSY 230/EPS 525	Statistics
PSY 415 or 240	Abnormal OR Developmental Psychology

(It is the desire of the Physical Therapy Department that the chemistry courses be at the level required of premed and biological science majors.)

We select students to interview on the basis of your overall grade point average, your prerequisite science grade point average, letters of recommendation, and your written personal statement. We then select the physical therapy class from the applicants we interview.

D. WHERE CAN I FULFILL THE PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS?

At any accredited community college, 4-year college, or university. The upper-division liberal studies and other required 300-400 level courses must be completed at a four-year college or university. Prerequisite courses need not be completed at an institution in Arizona. Students completing prerequisite courses at other institutions should be in contact with advisers from the physical therapy department to insure that their coursework is equivalent .

E. WHAT IS THE PROFILE OF THE MOST RECENT CLASS ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?

F. WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?

The professional program is 33 months in length. This includes didactic coursework and clinical requirements.

G. SHOULD I OBSERVE OR VOLUNTEER IN A PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT?

It is highly recommended that you gain exposure to the profession of physical therapy in order to be more certain of your career choice. Many hospitals and outpatient physical therapy clinics have an organized volunteer service. It is your responsibility to contact these facilities regarding volunteer activities. If you wish to observe in a physical therapy department, contact the chief physical therapist for permission. These clinicians are quite busy and must budget their time, so please make yourself available at their convenience.

H. WHAT IS THE SALARY OF A PHYSICAL THERAPIST?

Salaries compare favorably with those in other professions requiring similar preparation. They differ according to geographic location and local policies. Average salaries are:

Recent graduate: $38,000 - $45,000

Supervisors, teachers, and consultants: $45,000-$55,000

I. DOES MY DEGREE ALONE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY ALLOW ME TO PRACTICE PHYSICAL THERAPY?

No. The degree is a requirement to sit for the state licensure examination. Once the licensure examination has been passed, you are entitled to practice physical therapy in that state.

J. I AM IN HIGH SCHOOL. HOW CAN I BEST PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN PHYSICAL THERAPY?

1. Follow a college preparatory curriculum

2. Study hard and achieve good grades

3. Volunteer or observe in a physical therapy department

K. I AM IN COLLEGE. HOW CAN I BEST PREPARE?

First, examine the courses you have previously taken to determine which ones could be credited towards completing the prerequisite sciences and general education requirements necessary for admission to the program. If you are unsure which courses to choose, please contact this office for assistance. Second, complete the necessary coursework to earn a baccalaureate degree in the field of your choice. Third, if you have not had experience in volunteer work or observation in a physical therapy department, please make plans to do so.

L. I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE. AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

You should send us a copy of course catalog descriptions of the prerequisite science courses you feel fulfill the prerequisite science requirement. If prerequisites are complete, you may request an application at the appropriate time from the Graduate College or download the application from our website.

M. HOW DO I REQUEST A GRADUATE CATALOG?

The university no longer produces a hard copy catalog. You may access the Graduate Catalog online at: www.nau.edu/gradcol.

N. IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

Financial aid information is in the form of general student body scholarships and loans. Applications for financial assistance must be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid, Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 4108, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-4108. They can be reached at 928-523-4951.

Once a student is accepted to the Physical Therapy Program, there may be additional scholarship opportunities made available to students involved in health profession education. Students in the graduate track should investigate scholarship and financial-aid opportunities available to them as graduate students through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

O. WHO MAY APPLY?

The program accepts applications from Arizona residents and out-of-state applicants. Applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, marital status, or religious affiliation. Applicants must have completed or be able to complete the necessary specific hours of prerequisite coursework prior to admission to the program. No more than two prerequisite science courses should be in progress or incomplete, and all prerequisite science courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester (quarter) prior to commencing the program.

P. MAY I APPLY IF I RECEIVED MY DEGREE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY?

Undergraduate degrees not obtained in the United States or through a United States college or university must use the following procedure to apply. The following items must be submitted to the Graduate College:

a. your degree transcripts
b. TOLF scores
c. verification of funding (notarized)
d. your application

Q. HOW DO I APPLY?

Application packets are available from the Physical Therapy Program (Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 15105, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-5105), beginning in mid August. All application materials must be returned to the Graduate College/Physical Therapy Department by the application deadline. The deadline is January 5 th . You can also apply on-line through the graduate college web site.

R. WHEN DO CLASSES BEGIN?

They begin in the fall semester of each academic year.

S. WHERE ARE CLASSES HELD?

Classroom and laboratory work is at Northern Arizona University in the College of Health Professions Building. Clinical experiences are offered primarily at sites in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and other communities in the region and out-of-state locations.

T. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO COMPLETE THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM?

Costs vary somewhat from student to student. Here is a breakdown of estimated expenses (2004-2005):

* The Board of Regents reserves the right to alter tuition and fees.
** These costs represent estimates and are subject to change.
*** These are special fees.

NAU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmitive Action Institution UR/QE5011/10M