Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/rehabilitationsciences/physicaltherapy/index.aspx
(239) 590-7530The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program is to educate exceptional future physical therapists, promote student and faculty scholarship, and to actively engage in clinical practice and professional service. Graduates of the physical therapy program are mature, critical thinkers prepared for independent practice and leadership, and able to adapt to the changing health care environment. Faculty and students contribute to advancement of evidence-based practice and scholarship of teaching and learning. Excellence in clinical practice and professional service is embedded throughout the curriculum and community-based activities.
Program Accreditation
The D.P.T. program at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is accredited by the commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If need to contact the program/institution directly, please call 239-590-7530 or email at rsillevis@fgcu.edu.
Program Admission Requirements
Students are admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the fall of each year. For priority consideration, all application materials must be received by November 15th. Application materials received after November 15th will be considered on a space available basis. All applications to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must be submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.
The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences conducts a competitive admissions process. The following are the minimum requirements for admission to the entry-level physical therapy program. (Please note that meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapy program.)
All applicants must:
- Submit an application and fee through Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
- Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
- Applicants may complete a baccalaureate degree in any field. The following undergraduate majors at FGCU may be the most congruent with the required physical therapy prerequisite courses: BS in Exercise Science and BS in Health Science.
- Achieved a GPA calculated for all prerequisite courses (for courses completed at the time of application) of at least 3.20 (on a 0 to 4 scale).
- Achieved a GPA for all upper division coursework (for courses completed at the time of application) of at least 3.00 (on a 0 to 4 scale).
- A minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical portion of the Graduate Record Examination(GRE).
- A minimum percentile rank of 35% on both the Quantitative and Verbal portions of the GRE.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
- Completion of the following prerequisite courses or the equivalent with a grade of C or better (a grade of C- or less is not acceptable).
Course List Code Title Credits BSC 2010C 4 BSC 1085C Hum Anat & Physio w/Lab I 4 or BSC 2011C BSC 1086C Hum Anat & Physio w/Lab II 3-4 or OR PCB 2XXX HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY (3) CHM 1045C 4 CHM 1046C 4 PHY 2053C 4 PHY 2054C 4 PSY 2012 General Psychology 3 DEP 2004 Principles of Development 3 STA 2023 Statistical Methods 3 or STA 2037
The program requires a minimum of 10 hours of documented shadowing. These hours should consist of a minimum of 5 hours in the inpatient setting and a minimum of 5 hours in the outpatient setting. Documentation of the observation hours is not required but, when possible, should be submitted with the PTCAS application. The expectation that all observation hours must be completed by the program start if accepted.
The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences/Physical Therapy Program has a mandatory orientation that occurs usually two days prior to the start of the entering semester for classes. The information is sent out with the acceptance letters. Students that do not attend the mandatory orientation will not be accepted into the program.
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the faculty.
- Students must receive a grade of "B" ("S" if applicable) or better on all courses within the program curriculum.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in the program.
- A student must perform at the appropriate level of generic abilities and criteria as outlined in the Professional Behaviors Plan.
- Students must provide evidence of immunizations, CPR/AED and First Aid certification, health insurance, professional liability insurance coverage and criminal background checks as detailed in the Program's Student Guidebook.
- Successfully complete a cumulative personal /professional portfolio.
- Successfully complete all Clinical Education Courses.
- Complete Psychomotor Skills Log.
- Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Meet all FGCU Graduate Student requirements for graduation.
- Additional progression requirements as outlined in the Program’s Student Guidebook.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
- Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU.
- Earn a minimum of 115 credits.