Information Sessions

If you are interested in learning more about the Physical Therapy program we encourage you to attend one of our Information Sessions. Click here for more information.

Quick Reference

Starting semester: Summer Length of program: 36 months 9 semesters Degrees awarded: Doctor of Physical Therapy Licensure: National licensing examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Admissions deadlines: Early: October 15 Regular: January 15 Late: April 1 Accreditation: All Physical Therapy programs are fully accredited through the year 2011 by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education Faculty Listings: Kathleen Cegles, PT, DEd Sandy Brotherton, PT, PhD Debora Brown, PT, MTC Tasos Karakostas, MPT, PhD David Morrisette, PT, PhD Lisa Saladin, PT, PhD David Sword, PT, DPT K. Jackson Thomas, PT, EdD Holly H. Wise, PT, PhD FAQs: Click here Prerequisites: Click here DPT Curriculum: Click here DPT Course Descriptions Click here t-DPT Curriculum: Click here t-DPT Course descriptions: Click here Peripheral and Spinal Manipulation CE information: Click here Useful links: American Physical Therapy Association RS Health Advisors' Handbook Contact info (843) 792-2961 (843) 792-0710 - fax

Current Student Info

STUDENT INFORMATION PAGE 2007 Dept. Handbook 2007 PT Student Handbook Clinical Education

Physical therapy focuses primarily on those individuals whose potential or actual impairment is related to musculoskeletal, neuromusculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary (skin) systems. It also focuses on methods of evaluating the functions of these systems and on the selection and application of appropriate therapeutic interventions to alleviate pain; to maintain, improve, or restore function; and to prevent dysfunction.

Prerequisite Requirements           Application Deadlines

Application Check List

The Profession
Physical therapists are specialists in evaluating and treating disorders of the human body by using physical means rather than drugs. They are legally and ethically responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating a physical therapy program. This responsibility often includes instructing patients and their families and supervising physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, students, and other healthcare workers in carrying out the program or selected parts of it. The physical therapist consults and works closely with the patient's physician and other healthcare practitioners in establishing treatment objectives which are realistic and consistent with the patient's needs.

The physical therapist provides services aimed at preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression of conditions resulting from injury, disease and other causes. The physical therapist provides these services to people of all ages who have functional conditions resulting from back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, injuries related to work and sports, and others.

 Physical therapists work in:

• hospitals
• outpatient clinics
• rehabilitation centers
• nursing homes
• schools
• homes
• hospice facilities
• research centers
• athletic facilities
• academic centers as educators

Skills Needed

• Good manual, observation, and communication skills
• Must enjoy physical activity, working with people, independence, and problem solving

Licensure
All states now require a license to practice. Each state has different procedures for obtaining licensure. In South Carolina, licensing information can be obtained by contacting:

S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
PO Box 11329
Columbia, S.C. 29211
Phone:(803) 896-4655
Web: www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/physical therapy

Curriculum

• Three-year entry-level graduate professional physical therapy curriculum
• Doctor of Physical Therapy degree awarded upon successful completion of coursework, professional development and clinical rotations
• Structured learning experiences allow students to apply theoretical knowledge, enhance professional behaviors, and develop clinical skills
• Interdisciplinary classes held with physician assistant, occupational therapy and communication sciences and disorders students in addition to physical therapy specific core courses and clinical experiences
• One 6-week and three 8-week full-time clinical practicums are required involving direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist
• Quality clinical practicum sites are available at facilities throughout the United States

Clinical education
The physical therapy faculty values the clinical education component of our integrated, comprehensive curriculum. Clinical education provides opportunities for the integration of didactic knowledge, psychomotor skills, clinical reasoning, time management, professional behaviors, and patient education principles within the confines of the current health care system and under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Our goal at MUSC is to provide the best clinical education experience possible. For this to occur, we rely on feedback from students, clinical and academic faculty.

Clinical sites
The physical therapy program affiliates with approximately 300 clinical education facilities. This provides opportunity for students to participate in a variety of clinical settings including, but not limited t

• acute care
• outpatient facilities
• rehabilitation centers
• home health care
• pediatric sites
• geriatric sites

A wide variety of clinical sites are located throughout the United States.

Clinical rotations

• Students are assigned to one 6-week and three 8-week full-time clinical experiences.
• The 6-week clinical practicum occurs after the first year of academic course work.
• Students are assigned to outpatient orthopedic settings for these rotations.
• The final three clinical practicums occur at the successful completion of all academic coursework and professional development requirements. These clinical rotations may occur in any of the previously mentioned settings.
• Students are required to complete at least one rotation in an acute care setting, or a setting that provides opportunities to work with an underserved or rural population.
• Individual clinical experiences should reflect a breadth of experiences and spectrum of patient age ranges.
• Requirements for clinical rotations are at the personal expense of student physical therapists. MUSC does not guarantee housing or stipends while on clinical rotations. The student must consider these expenses prior to applying to the DPT program.

Admissions
Susan Johnson
Student Services Coordinator
Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences
Phone: (843) 792-2961
Fax: (843) 792-0710
E-mail: johnsoss@musc.edu

Ashley Stuckey
Admissions Coordinator
MUSC Office of Enrollment Services
Phone: (843) 792-8712
Fax: (843) 792-3764
E-mail: stuckey@musc.edu

Dr. Peter Bowman, Director
Rehabilitation Sciences Recruitment
Phone: (843) 792-3942
Fax: (843) 792-0710
E-mail: bowmanpj@musc.edu

Application deadlines
Early: October 15
Regular: January 15
Late: April 1
* Late applications will be processed on a space available basis.

Acceptances offered
Early: December
Regular: February - March
Late: On a space available basis.

Application checklist

1. Complete university application
2. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
3. Reference  (1 reference is required)
4. Volunteer Evaluation  (100 hours compulsory)
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results
6. Completed prerequisite courses taken form
7. Completed plans for remaining year form

NOTE: All above information must be received before an admission decision can be made.