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.
These prerequisite letter-graded courses and work experience must be completed prior to enrolling in the program:
| Area |
Requirements |
| Biological sciences |
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
- These courses are recommended, though 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 |
| Psychology |
Two courses, including general or introductory psychology and abnormal psychology (or equivalent) |
| 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. Note that:
- Scores should be sent directly to Mayo School of Health Sciences (institutional code #5784 and Mayo physical therapy department code #0619).
- Applicants will not be considered for an interview until official GRE scores are received in the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program office.
- 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 (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 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a 3.0 or better prerequisite GPA. Grades from all courses will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA.
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 (for example, one course in the biological sciences, one course in chemistry, one course in physics, one course in psychology or one course in statistics).
Transfer of credit
Due to the sequential nature of the physical therapy curriculum, the program does not accept transfer credit from other educational institutions.
International applicants
International applications to the Physical Therapy Doctoral Program are welcomed, though preference is given to U.S. citizens.
International applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.
The Mayo School of Health Sciences school code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784, and the physical therapy department code is 48. Our minimum score requirement for the TOEFL, consistent with general recommendations for graduate students in the health professions, includes a total TOEFL score that exceeds 89 with a minimum score of 25 for speaking.
Applicants from outside the U.S. must have their educational transcripts translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services 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 Mayo School of Health Sciences programs is to graduate the best health care practitioners. Further, Mayo School of Health Sciences 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 Mayo School of Health Sciences 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 Mayo School of Health Sciences programs must comply with prevailing institutional policies and procedures regarding:
- Immunization
- Occupational health review, a physical exam or both
- 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 or the Mayo School of Health Sciences 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 status.
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