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Admissions

Prerequisites

To be eligible for admission to the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program, you must have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

The following prerequisite letter-graded courses and work experience must be completed prior to enrolling in the program:

  • Biological Sciences: You must have at least four biology courses, each with laboratory experience, including:
    • One course in human physiology.
    • One course in human anatomy or a combined anatomy/physiology course distributed over two academic terms.
    • The following courses are recommended, although not required: microbiology, histology, embryology and neuroscience.
    • Exercise physiology may satisfy one of the biological sciences prerequisite requirements, but not the Human Physiology prerequisite.
  • Chemistry: Two courses with laboratory study.
  • Physics: Two courses with laboratory study.
  • Statistics: One course in basic statistics, including elementary probability, descriptive measures, confidence intervals, t-tests and linear regression.
  • Social Sciences: At least three courses (minimum of three credits each), including the first in general or introductory psychology; the second in either abnormal, developmental, growth and developmental, or life span developmental psychology; and the third behavioral social science prerequisite could include sociology, anthropology, philosophy, death/dying, logic, ethics or speech/communications.
  • A medical terminology course is recommended but not required.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Completion of the general test component of the GRE and reporting of scores.
    • Scores should be sent directly to the Mayo School of Health Science - Institutional Code #5784 and Mayo PT Department - Code #0619.
    • Applicants will not be considered for an interview until these are received at Mayo PT Program.
    • We recommend all applicants complete the GRE by July 31.
  • Work and/or observation experience: A minimum of 100 hours of observation or work experience in a physical therapy setting need to be completed prior to enrolling in the program (varied practice settings preferred).

To be considered as a candidate for the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program, you must have at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and a 3.0 or better prerequisite grade point average. Grades from all courses will be used to calculate the cumulative grade point average.

The prerequisite GPA will be calculated at the discretion of program staff and will generally be calculated with the higher grade of any repeated courses. A grade of "D" is unacceptable in any of the required prerequisite courses. Advanced placement (AP) credits earned in high school may fulfill up to two prerequisite course requirements, with a maximum of one course per particular field of study (e.g. one course in the biological sciences, one course in chemistry, one course in physics, one course in the social sciences or one statistics course).

Transfer of Credit

Secondary to the sequential nature of the physical therapy curriculum, the Program does not accept credit in transfer from other educational institutions.

International Applicants

International applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) exam. Learn more about the exam and register online at www.ets.org/toefl. The MSHS school code for the TOEFL exam is 5784. Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions.

Further, applicants from outside of the United States must have their educational transcripts translated (if not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to www.naces.org/members.htm for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential evaluation services.

Admissions Policy

Today's allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills and professional attitudes and behavior. The goal of MSHS programs is to graduate the best health care practitioners. Further, MSHS must also ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical or emotional functions. Therefore, admission to educational programs is offered only to those applicants who meet qualifications for education and training in the art and science of the respective allied health profession. Applicants should possess the following general qualities at all times:

  • Critical thinking
  • Sound judgment
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Emotional stability and maturity
  • Professional and ethical conduct
  • Empathy
  • Physical and mental stamina
  • Ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings

You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate objective competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination.

Applicants are judged not only on scholastic accomplishments, but also on physical and emotional capacities to meet the requirements of the program's curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners, with reasonable accommodations, if applicable. To preserve the welfare of students and patients, each MSHS program will establish minimum standards deemed essential for safety in practicing that respective profession. Applicants seeking accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Admissions committees for each program may require additional specific admission standards. Documentation of these program-specific standards is available from the program director.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants offered admission to MSHS programs must also comply with prevailing institutional policies and procedures regarding:

  • Immunization
  • Occupational Health Review and/or Physical Exam
  • Background Study and immediate disclosure of any criminal convictions
  • Drug Screen
  • Health Insurance
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Confidentiality, and other training deemed necessary by Mayo Clinic and/or the MSHS program.

Questions about these requirements can be directed to the school.

Failure to comply or to provide requested documentation is grounds for rescinding an admission offer or terminating admission.

Student Responsibilities

Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times.

Equal Opportunity

Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran's status.

  • April 19, 2012
  • ART144707