Pre-Physical Therapy. Admission Requirements

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1 226 Pre-Physical Therapy Undergraduate Degree Options Students can choose from a variety of undergraduate majors. It is essential for the student to work closely with his/her adviser to plan a program of study that meets the major, general education, and prerequisite requirements to qualify for the DPT program. Most undergraduate students who qualify will start the DPT program their senior year at Clarke University, and finish their undergraduate degree at the end of the first year of the DPT program. Admission Requirements Approximately 40 students per year are admitted as first-year students to the pre-physical therapy cohort. Clarke University students who meet the admissions requirements will be given priority for the maximum of 30 openings in the DPT program. NOTE: Ordinarily, 20 students are accepted to Clarke University as first-year Pre-PT students in the direct admission pathway. These students may complete the application process to the professsional program through the Office of Graduate Studies at Clarke University. Letters of Intent signed and submitted prior to matriculation as first-year students will be used to document the direct admission pathway. Students admitted to Clarke University as first-year Pre-PT students or transfers in the standard or priorty admission pathway or through any other program must complete the application process through PT Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) The DPT Program The DPT program is limited to 30 students each year. Application must be completed by the date designated during the junior year. Preference is given to Clarke University students who are in the pre-physical therapy cohort, and to students who are part of articulation agreement with another institution who meet the priority admissions requirements. Clarke University students who meet the minimum requirements but do not meet the priority requirements will compete for admission with applicants from other institutions. Clarke University undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing admission into the Clarke University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program who meet the minimum requirements below are eligible to apply to the program. The application process must be completed by the date designated during the junior year. Admission into the DPT program is competitive and will be granted to the most qualified candidates. Individuals who received their undergraduate education at another institution are encouraged to apply to the DPT program.

2 Any applicant who is part of a 3+3 program, including Clarke University and institutions with 3+3 articulation agreements, must demonstrate that he/she will earn his/her undergraduate degree (in a chosen undergraduate major) before the start of the 2nd year of the DPT program. Applicants from other institutions must either have their undergraduate degree completed, or demonstrate that they will complete their undergraduate degree prior to the start of the DPT program. These students must complete the application for the Clarke University DPT Program through PTCAS Minimum Requirements 1. A completed graduate application form, available online at Cumulative GPA, with no grades lower than a C as documented on official academic transcripts Prerequisite Science GPA in the following courses: General University Biology 4 hours including lab University Chemistry 1 & 2 8 hours including lab University Physics 1 & 2 8 hours including lab Anatomy & Physiology 8 total hours including lab Psychology 6 hours 4. No more than 4 courses repeated for credit. If retakes for prerequisite courses are warranted, they must be completed at Clarke University. Science courses repeated at other institutions must be approved by the physical therapy department at the time of matriculation to Clarke University or prior to enrollment. 5. A completed Student Log of Clinical Visits, documenting 75 hours of observation in at least three different settings, chosen from pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient acute/subacute care, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics and sports medicine. 6. A 1-2 page written response to the following question: Describe how your observational experiences have influenced your decision to pursue physical therapy as a career. Concentrate on the areas described in the Student Log of Clinical Visits. 7. Minimum score of 800 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) 8. Three completed recommendation forms, at least two of which must be from undergraduate faculty and one which may be from a physical therapist whom the applicant has observed. 9. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 if English is not a first language. 10. Complete the prerequisite courses or their approved equivalent (listed below): 227

3 228 Priority Admissions Requirements for Clarke University Undergraduate Pre-Physical therapy Students Clarke University undergraduate students who meet all the following requirements will be given priority for admission into the DPT program. To be eligible for admission to the DPT program as a Clarke University undergraduate, the applicant must have finished 30 credit hours from Clarke University prior to matriculation in the DPT program. 1. A completed graduate application form, available online at Cumulative GPA with no grades lower than a C GPA in Prerequisite Science courses* BIOL 115 Fundamentals of Cell Biology/Genetics I * BIOL 211 Anatomy and Physiology I * BIOL 212 Anatomy and Physiology II * CHEM 110 General Chemistry I * CHEM 111 General Chemistry II * PHYS 110 Elements of Physics I * PHYS 111 Elements of Physics II * PSYC 111 Introductory Psychology * Another Psychology course * In addition, the following courses are prerequisite for Clarke University undergraduates: PT 101 Introduction to Physical Therapy (may be waived for transfer students with greater than 60 credit hours) PHIL 212 General Ethics, or 225, Biomedical Ethics MATH 117 Pre-Calculus (for Physics) or a 26+ on math portion of ACT 4. No more than 2 courses repeated for credit. If retakes for prerequisite courses are warranted, they must be completed at Clarke University. Science courses repeated at other institutions must be approved by the physical therapy department at the time of matriculation to Clarke University or prior to enrollment. 5. Record of a minimum of 25 hours observing in at least three of the following areas: pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient acute/subacute care, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports medicine (Total of 75 hours). Clinical forms are available at 6. A one- to two-page written response to the following question: Describe how your observational experiences have influenced your decision to pursue physical therapy as a career. Concentrate on the areas described in the Student Log of Clinical Visits.

4 Minimum score of 900 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) 8. Three highly recommend recommendation forms, at least two of which must be from undergraduate faculty and one which may be from a physical therapist whom the applicant has observed. 9. First time applicant to the DPT program. 10. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 if English is not a first language. 11. The DPT admissions committee reserves the right to make justifiable exceptions to these requirements on a case-by-case basis. Course Descriptions The following undergraduate physical therapy courses are taken prior to admission in the professional phase of the program. A complete listing of physical therapy courses, including those taken in the DPT program, can be found in the physical therapy section in the graduate portion of this catalog. PT 101 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL THERAPY 2 hours Through presentations, field visits and discussion, the student is provided with an overview of the physical therapy profession. The course is designed for those considering physical therapy as a career option. Prerequisite: Admission to the pre-professional phase of the physical therapy program. Pre-Professional Health Science Programs Clarke offers students the opportunity to prepare for entrance into professional programs in the area of health science while completing their undergraduate degree. Many health science programs require a baccalaureate degree as a prerequisite for entrance into the professional program. Although application for admission into professional programs must be sought independently by the student, Clarke pre-professional health science advisers will act as advisers to students who wish to fulfill prerequisites for admission into specific programs. These advisers will also assist students in seeking admission to the following programs. Students planning to enter any of the following programs must notify the undergraduate studies dean so that a preprofessional health adviser and academic program may be assigned to them. Medicine and Dentistry Clarke provides the strong liberal arts background and the basic sciences that are required for future physicians and dentists. Although medical programs do not prescribe an undergraduate major, most schools require a basic science curriculum. The specific courses on which the subject matter portion of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT ) and the Dental College Admissions Test (DCAT ) are based include general biology and zoology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics. Although mathematics is not specified, the analytical skill developed in calculus will enhance student success on sections of the test requiring quantitative

5 230 reasoning. Since specific requirements vary among different colleges of medicine and dentistry, students need to consult with the college of their choice and share this information with their pre-professional health science advisers. Ultimately it is the student s responsibility to check and complete requirements associated to professional programs. Clarke students in the Pre-Professional Health Program are expected to successfully complete a basic science curriculum, including the following courses: BIOL 115 Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Genetics (4 hours) BIOL 115 Ecology, Evolution and Diversity (4 hours) CHEM 110, 111 General Chemistry I-II (8 hours) CHEM 221, 222 Organic Chemistry I-II (8 hours) PHSY 110, 111 Physics I-II (8 hours) Because of the rigorous requirements for admission, students must have an outstanding scholastic record and a record of leadership and service activities when considering application to medical or dental school. Research experience is strongly recommended. For those students who gain early acceptance into medical or dental school, the first year of professional studies may be recognized as the final 30 credits required for a Clarke degree. The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is a centralized distribution, collecting and processing service for applying to most colleges of medicine. Clarke advisers will assist students in completing the application. Clarke students have successfully completed medical and dental programs at The University of Iowa, The University of Illinois, Chicago Medical College, Rush School of Medicine and others. Veterinary Medicine A solid foundation in the sciences is basic to the veterinary program. Veterinary medicine colleges strongly encourage students to complete a baccalaureate degree before enrolling, although entrance may be possible after 60 semester credits. The specific requirements for admission to the professional program vary, but all require a minimum of biology (8-12 credits), chemistry (12-16 credits) and physics (8 credits). Other commonly required courses are English composition, humanities and social sciences and mathematics. As a liberal arts college with strong majors in biochemistry and biology, Clarke offers the opportunity to excel in all of these disciplines. Students are advised to consult the university of their choice to determine specific requirements. Most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. An additional requirement for admission often is the successful completion of a standardized examination such as the MCAT, VMAT or the GRE. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) is a centralized distribution, collecting and processing service for applying to most colleges of veterinary medicine. Clarke advisers will assist students in completing the application.

6 231 Pharmacy A degree in pharmacy requires a six-year program culminating with the doctor of pharmacy degree. Students interested in pharmacy can complete two years of pre-pharmacy liberal arts and science courses at Clarke before transferring to a university college of pharmacy where the remaining four-year professional program is completed. Pre-professional course work should include general and organic chemistry, biology, calculus and physics. Many schools require economics in addition to other general education courses. Students should request a catalog from the college of pharmacy they expect to attend and, with their adviser, plan the pre-pharmacy program accordingly. In addition to the required science courses, students must plan to meet the general education requirements of the school to which they will transfer. Clarke University has an articulation program with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Chiropractic Medicine The Council on Chiropractic Education specifies pre-professional studies for chiropractic programs. A minimum of 60 semester credits at a baccalaureate degree-granting institution must precede the four-year chiropractic curriculum. Pre-professional credits must include one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and English or communication skills. One course each in psychology and in the social sciences or humanities is also required. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for pre-professional credits. Students should be acquainted with the specific entrance requirements for the college of chiropractic that they expect to attend and consult a Clarke adviser in planning an appropriate program. Podiatric Medicine Podiatric Medicine, a four-year graduate program, is an area in which the demand for practitioners far exceeds the predicted supply. A broad general education such as that provided at Clarke University is an important component of the program s prerequisites. Although students may apply to some schools after three years of undergraduate study, the baccalaureate degree is strongly encouraged. In the event that admittance to the podiatry program is obtained after three years at Clarke, the professional program may be used as the final year of the baccalaureate studies for a Clarke degree. Admission requirements minimally include biological sciences, general and organic chemistry and physics. Students should be acquainted with specific entrance requirements for the program in which they expect to participate and consult an adviser in planning an appropriate program at Clarke. The minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is required; however, this may vary with the professional college. Candidates are required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT ) as part of their application process.

7 232 Medical Technology/ Clinical Laboratory Science Two national agencies issue certifications based on scores obtained on examination as proof of competency. Admission to the examination for Medical Technology requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university including courses in biological sciences, chemistry and mathematics and successful completion of an accredited medical technology program. Certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) requires completion of a baccalaureate program, including biological and physical sciences, plus completion of a clinical laboratory program accredited by an agency of the U.S. Office of Education or approved by a state government agency. Clarke University advisers will assist interested students in securing placement in an accredited laboratory program and recognize those hours as the final 30 credits required for a Clarke University degree.