Physical Therapy Program Information
Entry Requirements
The following information provides the specific requirements for applying to the ISU Physical Therapy (PT) Program. The requirements include:
- Completion of a Bachelor's Degree
- ISU Graduate School Requirements
- GPA Requirements
- GRE/MAT Requirements
- Prerequisite Course Work
- Volunteer or Paid Experience In Physical Therapy
- Letters of Reference
Completion of a Bachelor's Degree
Applicants must complete a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited in the U.S. or its equivalent from a school in another country. This degree may be in progress during the application process but must be completed prior to beginning P.T. courses in the Fall semester.
ISU Graduate School Requirements
All applicants applying to the ISU P.T. Program must also apply for admission to ISU through the Graduate School. This needs to be done at the same time you apply to the PT Program. General admissions requirements may be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office in the ISU Graduate Bulletin.
Please Note: Some of the requirements for admission into the P.T. Program are higher than the general requirements for the ISU Graduate School.
GPA Requirements
Applicants must have a minimum of an earned grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 over all upper division course work to apply to the ISU P.T. Program. Applicants with advanced degrees may use the most recent upper division or graduate credits completed.
GRE Requirements/MAT
Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The ISU code for the GRE is: 4355
Test of English as a Foreign Language Requirements
International students must complete the TOEFL Examination with a total score of 550 (paper based) and 213 (computer based). The score of Section I of the exam must be 55 (paper based) and 21 (computer based).
Prerequisite Course Work
Click here for complete list of PT course requirements.
Volunteer or Paid Experience In Physical Therapy
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and exposure to the physical therapy profession. All of the required experience must be completed PRIOR to applying to the ISU P.T. Program. All of the experience must be completed under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist and must have occurred within the last five years.
The number of hours required is 80 hours. These hours must be completed in a minimum of two different physical therapy practices.
Please obtain a letter from the physical therapist supervising you during these hours when you complete the experience at each facility. The letter should state the number of hours completed, and the types of physical therapy services you had the opportunity to observe. The physical therapist needs to sign and date the letter. The application to the ISU P.T. Program will include an experience documentation form. You may have a physical therapist fill this form out, or attach the letter described above to the form when submitting your application.
Letters of Reference
Each applicant must submit three letters of reference with the application. The letters of reference must come from the following individuals:
- Physical Therapist - who directly supervised your volunteer or aide experience
- Physical Therapist - who directly supervised your volunteer or aide experience
- Academic Reference - who directly taught or advised you
Please Note: Letters of reference will not be accepted from relatives of the applicant.
Letters of reference from doctors, nurses, physical therapist assistants and other health care professionals will not be accepted in place of letters from a physical therapist.
The ISU P.T. Program application will include a form on which to obtain letters of reference. Letters of reference may not be read by the applicant and must be submitted with the application in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal.
Note:
As part of your Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy program, you will be placed in several off-campus sites for clinical training. You will be required to successfully complete a series of immunizations, drug testing and a criminal background check prior to entering the program. Once the acceptance form is received you will be sent a list of these immunizations.
Conviction of a felony or other serious offense will likely result in denial of placement for the clinical assignment, and consequently affect your standing in the program.
If you have any questions about whether your criminal history, if any, will prevent or restrict your ability to obtain a license in this field, you should discuss this with the appropriate licensing agency or board.
Immunization, Background Check and CPR Verification Form