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Physical Therapy APT Program



Description of the Profession

Physical therapists are concerned with preventing disability and with evaluating, rehabilitating, maintaining, and improving the functions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

Evaluation includes tests of the patient’s respiratory, sensorimotor, circulatory, and neurodevelopmental status, as well as assessing muscle performance, joint motion, and level of independent function. Treatments assist the patient in achieving realistic goals consistent with the patient’s capacity in the areas of joint function, strength, coordination, endurance, motor skills, and relieving or managing pain.

Physical therapists work in direct patient care; by instructing patients, family members, and support personnel; and in coordination/consultation with other health care professionals.





Description of the ATP Program

Through collaboration between Dedman College at SMU and the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, students may apply for admission to SMU and simultaneously for conditional acceptance to the Master of Physical Therapy program at the UT-Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School. The APT Program is intended to provide a direct path from the undergraduate degree at SMU to the Master of Physical Therapy program at UT-Southwestern.

APT students may major in any undergraduate discipline in Dedman College. Up to three APT students who meet all of the program’s requirements will be admitted annually as regular students into the Master’s program. Others will be eligible for admission on a competitive basis in the UT-Southwestern applicant pool for that year.





Admission Requirements for UT-Southwestern through the APT Program

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 on all college work and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 on all science courses (including all repeated courses). Students will complete specified courses in college algebra or trigonometry, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, and psychology with at least a C. In addition, students will complete successfully at least two internships, one at an approved location and one at UT-Southwestern, obtain a Bachelor’s degree in a Dedman College major from SMU, and take the GRE.

To apply submit the regular SMU admission application (or Common Application) to SMU before January 15.  A letter of interest and letter of recommendation are due before August 1.  Send to:

Ms. Mara Morhouse
APT Program, Dedman College
Southern Methodist University
P.O. Box 750272
Dallas, TX  75275-0272

For more information, send an email to Ms. Morhouse mara@smu.edu

 



Educational Requirements for the Master of Physical Therapy at UT-Southwestern

The curriculum is a 24-month program beginning in May and comprised of academic and clinical experiences. Students complete 89-91 credits. The curriculum is sequenced; all courses in a semester are pre-requisites for the following semester’s courses.

Students must complete each course with at least a B and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Graduates are eligible for membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and are qualified to take the state licensing examination in any state.





Job Market Outlook

Employment of physical therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The impact of proposed Federal legislation imposing limits on
reimbursement for therapy services may adversely affect the short-term job outlook for physical therapists.

However, over the long run, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services. The growing elderly population is particularly vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. Also, the baby-boom generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, increasing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Further, young people will need physical therapy as technological advances save the lives of a larger proportion of newborns with severe birth defects.

Future medical developments also should permit a higher percentage of trauma victims to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. In addition, growth may result from advances in medical technology that could permit the treatment of more disabling conditions.

Widespread interest in health promotion also should increase demand for physical therapy services. A growing number of employers are using physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees in the hope of reducing injuries.

Median annual earnings of physical therapists were $57, 330 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $48,480 and $70, 050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40, 200, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $86, 260.

From the U.S. Department of Labor: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm




Sources for Additional Information

The American Physical Therapy Association now has a centralized application service, www.ptcas.org.  Although an online application and centralized service does not preclude assistance an applicant may obtain from a pre-health advisor, this is a resource that will help those interested in physical therapy become better informed applicants. For more information on participating programs and requirements (in standardized format) for participating schools, check  http://www.ptcas.org/Directory.html 



PDF version APT Program Information

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