Physical therapy is the examination, treatment, and instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain from injury, disease, and other bodily and mental conditions. A physical therapist evaluates and treats (with physical measures) patients with movement dysfunctions. Other professional activities include consultation, education, research, management, and referral.
     The master's degree in physical therapy is an entry-level educational program. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, a student is eligible for the licensure examination which is required to be a practicing physical therapist. The curriculum will prepare physical therapists to be self-directed, self-accountable generalists possessing problem-solving skills who practice in a variety of settings. The graduates will be prepared to enhance human movement and function and to assess and treat individuals with movement dysfunction disability. Graduates with these capabilities will have a foundation on which to develop specialty theory and skills to contribute to the development of the art and science of physical therapy.

Pitt Freshman Guarantee
     A limited number of qualified University of Pittsburgh (including regional campuses) freshmen applicants will be offered guaranteed admission. Qualifying students will meet the following criteria: SAT score of 1350 or better and a class ranking in the top ten percent of their graduating class. Guaranteed students must maintain an overall and prerequisite QPA of 3.50 or better and meet all admission requirements.

Admission Requirements

     The curriculum of study for the post-baccalaureate entry-level physical therapy student is based upon a strong general undergraduate education that provides a sound foundation in knowledge, methods, and attitudes.
     Specific requirements for admission are:

1. A baccalaureate degree. No specific major is mandated; however, prerequisite study for post-baccalaureate professional education should include a well-rounded general education that includes a distribution of studies in the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
2. Prerequisite course work includes:
   • Two foundation courses in each of the following areas including labs:
   • Biological sciences (8 credits)
   • Chemistry (8 credits)
   • Physics (8 credits)
     Students must possess foundation knowledge of the concepts and terminology in biological, chemical, and physical sciences on which to build in the physical therapy curriculum and experience in appropriate laboratory procedures.
   • Two psychology courses (6 credits):
         General or Introductory Psychology and either:
         Abnormal Psychology or
         Child Psychology or
         Developmental Psychology
     (Students must have an understanding of human growth and development, human behavior [cognitive and affective], and interpersonal relationships.)
   • One anatomy course (3 credits) and one physiology course (3 credits) or any two-term sequence of a combined anatomy and physiology courses (6 credits). Laboratories are recommended. Students must understand body organ systems and have a knowledge of terminology used to describe these systems. It is also assumed that the student has an overview understanding of how the human body, cells, organs, and body systems function.
   • One statistics course (3 credits). Students must have an understanding of descriptive and inferential statistics used to report information and data.
   • One English composition course (3 credits). Students must have the ability to communicate in a clear, organized, logical fashion with appropriate grammatical format, both verbally and in writing.
3. The applicant should have a minimum overall QPA of 3.00 and 3.00 in the prerequisite courses.
4. The applicant must have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-general) -- while no minimum score is required, a total score of at least 1500 is recommended.
5. The applicant will demonstrate knowledge of physical therapy through volunteer or work experience. A minimum of 200 hours, in at least two clinical settings, is recommended.
6. International applicants see "Application Procedure for International Students."

Application Process
     Applicants must submit a complete application package by the deadline date which should include the following:

1. A nonrefundable application fee of $50 in check or money order made payable to the UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.
2. Completed application form.
3. Transcripts--official transcripts from colleges or universities attended.
4. Letters of evaluation: Three letters of evaluation are required. One should be from your school faculty and two from physical therapists with whom you have worked and who can evaluate your qualifications and aptitude for professional graduate education.
5. Experience summary form--a complete summary of work in the health care field, including volunteer and paid experience.
6. Self-evaluation: Each applicant must submit a separate typed essay.

Application Deadline: November 30

Admission Status
     Admission to the master's degree program in physical therapy is only available on a full-time status. Since admission to this program is competitive, students must have a minimum overall QPA of 3.00 and a 3.00 QPA in the prerequisite courses. Provisional and special status are generally not granted in this program.

Statute of Limitations
     Two years. Extension of the statute of limitations may occasionally be granted when circumstances warrant. Such requests, listing reasons for an extension and the amount of additional time needed, must be approved by the department chair.

Master of Physical Therapy Curriculum

	Summer Session II: First Year
	PT2029	Introduction to Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction	2 cr.
	PT 2030	Anatomy and Musculoskeletal PT 1	4 cr.
	PT 2040	Survey of Human Disease 1	3 cr.
	PT 2081	Clinical Reasoning (including clinical rounds)	2 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	11 cr.
	Fall Term: First Year
	PT 2031	Anatomy and Musculoskeletal PT 2	4 cr.
	PT 2041	Patient Management 1	3 cr.
	PT 2045	Survey of Human Disease 2	3 cr.
	PT 2051	Cardiopulmonary PT 1	1 cr.
	HRS 2921	Clinical Internship (including clinical rounds)	1 cr.
	PT 2082	Physical Therapy Seminar 2	1 cr.
	PT 2071	Research Process in Physical Therapy	2 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	15 cr.
	Spring Term: First Year
	PT 2060	Neuroscience	4 cr.
	PT 2032	Anatomy and Musculoskeletal PT 3	3 cr.
	PT 2042	Patient Management 2	2 cr.
	PT 2061	Neuromuscular PT 1	3 cr.
	PT 2000	Research Seminar	1 cr.
	HRS 2921	Clinical Internship (including clinical rounds)	1 cr.
	PT 2055	Growth and Development 1	2 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	16 cr.
	Summer Session I: First Year
	PT 2033	Anatomy and Musculoskeletal PT 4	4 cr.
	PT 2062	Neuromuscular PT 2	4 cr.
	PT 2056	Growth and Development 2	2 cr.
	PT 2000	Research Seminar (including clinical rounds)	1 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	11 cr.
	Summer Session II: Second Year
	PT 2091	Clinical Education (full-time, 7 weeks)	5 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	5 cr.
	Fall Term: Second Year
	PT 2063	Neuromuscular PT III	3 cr.
	PT 2064	Clinical Electrophysiology	3 cr.
	PT 2083	Administration and Supervision	3 cr.
	HRS 2921	Clinical Internship (including clinical rounds)	1 cr.
	PT 2000	Research Seminar	1 cr.
	PT 2053	Cardiopulmonary PT II	2 cr.
		Elective (minimum of 1 credit required)	1 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	14 cr.
	Spring Term: Second Year
	PT 2092	Clinical Education (full-time 14 weeks)	9 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	9 cr.
	Summer Term I: Second Year
	PT 2093	Clinical Education (full-time, 7 weeks)	5 cr.
			-------
		TOTAL	5 cr.
		TOTAL CREDITS	86 cr.