Physical Therapy Preparation
Modern physical therapists are prepared to treat patients ranging in age from infants to the elderly. Their work is performed in settings as diverse as outpatient clinics, schools, and specialized departments within hospitals. Within these settings, physical therapists assist patients in dealing with problems such as orthopedic maladies (neck and back pain, the rehabilitation of joints following corrective surgery and assisting patients in pain reduction and increased mobility) and aiding patients in regaining an acceptable quality of life (the result of developmental abnormalities, disease, severe accidents, heart attacks, or strokes). Within the context of today's health care system, physical therapists are specialized in examining and treating individuals with impairment of their daily lives, the result of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems. To prepare for the demands of such a profession students must attend a postgraduate program of physical therapy and upon the successful completion of that program they are required to pass a national examination and be licensed in the state in which they wish to practice.
Physical Therapy Preparation at Mount Saint Mary College
The physical therapy preparation program at Mount Saint Mary College is designed to prepare students for admittance into postgraduate programs in physical therapy. This program is a distinctive blend of courses in the life and physical sciences, while also including courses in psychology, other social sciences, and the humanities. Along with their course work, students are required to obtain experience in a variety of physical therapy settings. The assortment of courses taken in the sciences provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete a graduate program in physical therapy.
The physical therapy preparation offered at Mount Saint Mary College leads to a Bachelor of Science in Biology or Exercise Science, or a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a doctorate in physical therapy (D.P.T.) from a graduate program in Physical Therapy. Students can choose to apply to New York Medical College (NYMC) or Dominican University New York (DUNY) as part of the MSMC articulation programs. In this program, students will complete their bachelor's degree either in biology or psychology, while taking the prerequisite courses for entrance into the Physical Therapy Program at NYMC or DUNY. Upon meeting the requirements of the program, candidates will make application to NYMC or DUNY. After successful completion of the program, students will be awarded a D.P.T. from NYMC or DUNY.
Students wishing to be physical therapy preparation Biology Majors can apply to the Biology departments for this designation after they have completed Biological Principles I & II, Chemical Principles I & II, and Calculus I & II. Students wishing to be physical therapy preparation Psychology Majors can apply to the Psychology department for this designation after they have completed Biological Principles I & II, General, Organic, and Biochemistry I & II, PSY 1010 General Psychology and PSY 3050 Developmental Psychology. Students applying for these programs must also meet the following requirements:
No grade in the courses above lower than a B
Overall GPA equal to or greater than 3.2
Combined Math and Science GPA equal or greater than 3.2
Meeting all of the requirements outlined in the majors handbook